Our experienced team can offer a range of legal services to support trustees of both Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSAS) and Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) in dealing with the complexities of pension property investments.
About pension services
Our SIPP and SSAS property experts have a long track record of providing outstanding pension property work and pride themselves on their high levels of service.
We work together with accountants, financial planners, corporate trustees and scheme administrators to help trustees with their property transactions. We deal with all types and sizes of commercial property, ranging from bare land to large shopping centres, mixed use developments and farmland.
With our extensive understanding of pension trustee and HM Revenue and Customs regulations, we can guide you through even the most complex transactions.
We can assist pension schemes with the following property transactions:
- Sales and purchases and in specie transfers
- Lease arrangements
- Borrowing, lending and security
What is the difference between a SIPP and a SSAS?
A Self Invested Personal Pension Scheme, or SIPP, tends to be administered by a professional trustee who specialises in pension products. While the investor has control over the way the funds are invested, it is the professional trustee who is responsible for the administration of the pension scheme, with the investor having minimal administrative obligations.
In contrast, a Small Self Administered Pension Scheme (SSAS) can be managed by either an employer or an individual independently, or by a professional trustee. A SSAS can be operated for up to 12 members and it can interact directly with its sponsoring company i.e. the business connected to the members. Unlike a SIPP, a SASS can use a loan back arrangement to directly invest funds back into the sponsoring company.
Requiring more involvement from members, a SSAS is more suitable for small groups of connected investors, enabling cash to be pooled in a variety of assets, such as a pension property.
Who we work with
We work closely with trustees’ financial planners, accountants and scheme administrators to ensure the transaction is as seamless and hassle free as possible. Our experts in the real estate team provide a thorough and practical service.
