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Best Private Pension Providers

Updated On: Feb 26, 2024
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Best Private Pension Provider UK

Contents:

Best Private Pension Providers in the UK

We’ve compiled a list of the best private pension providers in the UK. These are our top pension providers for buying, selling, and holding UK and overseas stocks and shares, bonds, index funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), ready-made investments, and other investment products.

These pension providers are great choices for individuals in full-time jobs (who want a personal pension in addition to their workplace pension), those who are self-employed, and founders who are also the sole directors of their limited companies.

Please remember that when you invest, your capital is at risk. You usually can’t access the money in your pension pot until you are at least 55 years old (increases to 57 in 2028), when you can take 25% as a tax-free lump sum. Other pension and tax rules apply.

The pension providers listed below are authorised and regulated by the UK’s financial watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or The Pensions Regulator (TPR).

Here are the best private pension providers in the UK:


Interactive Investor - Good if you want a low-cost pension and access to a wide range of instruments, including shares, ETFs, and funds

Interactive Investor
Product
SIPP
Account Type
DIY & Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£0
Annual Platform Fee
 £72 - £156
(£5.99 - £12.99 per month)

Interactive Investor, recently acquired by wealth management giant Abrdn, is the second-largest investment platform in the UK. Interactive Investor is well known for its fixed monthly subscription fees (as opposed to annual percentage-based fees like most other investment platforms). It has been providing investment services and financial information to UK customers since 1995. If you choose to invest with Interactive Investor, you will gain access to over 40,000 investment options, including UK and overseas shares, funds, investment trusts, and ETFs. This is the second-widest choice of UK and international investments offered by an investment platform in the UK.

The Interactive Investor SIPP allows you to build your pension portfolio in multiple ways depending on your retirement goals, attitude to risk and investment preferences. Beginner investors or those who prefer a ready-made investment portfolio can build their pension pot using Interactive Investor’s Quick-Start Funds, an easy way to start investing where you choose from six low-cost funds prepared by the team of experts at Interactive Investor. Advanced or more confident investors can choose from a wide range of funds and shares and build their pension portfolios themselves. Interactive Investor gives you access to 17 global stock exchanges, including exchanges in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

With Interactive Investor, You can combine your other pensions into one SIPP for simpler retirement planning. When you reach retirement age, Interactive Investor will provide a range of options for taking an income from your pension, and there is no extra charge for this. To open a SIPP with Interactive Investor, there is a subscription fee of £5.99 or £12.99 per month, depending on the value of your portfolio. UK and US trades cost £3.99 per trade. Interactive Investor also offers a free regular investing service that allows you to contribute as little as £25 a month to your pension pot without paying a trading fee each time. The platform also has a host of expert ideas, research and insights, which can be helpful when choosing investments. Visit Interactive Investor to learn more. Interactive Investor’s suite of products includes a Stocks and Shares ISA, Trading Account, Junior ISA, and SIPP.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk.

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AJ Bell - Good if you want a pension at a reasonable cost and access to lots of ideas, research and products (stocks, bonds, and funds)

AJ Bell Logo
Product
SIPP
Account Type
DIY & Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£500 lump sum
(or £25 per month)
Annual Platform Fee
0.25% - 0% (Funds)
0.25% (Shares (max £10/month))

AJ Bell is one of the UK’s largest online investment platforms, and its mission is to make investing as easy as possible for you. The platform offers a wide range of investment options, including UK and overseas shares, funds, bonds, ETFs, investment trusts, and ready-made investments. AJ Bell was the first investment company in the UK to offer an online Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP).

The AJ Bell SIPP allows you to build your pension portfolio in one of two ways depending on your investing savviness and attitude to risk: beginner investors or those who prefer a ready-made investment portfolio can get a little, or a lot, of help from AJ Bell’s specialists by choosing from the eight investment ideas on offer. Investment ideas are diversified ready-made baskets of investments that you can select based on your personal preferences, investment goals and risk tolerance. Advanced or more confident investors can choose from the thousands of instruments available and build their pension portfolios themselves. The AJ Bell SIPP is suitable for both the self-employed and those looking to open a personal pension to complement their workplace pension. AJ Bell also lets you combine your existing pensions into a SIPP so that you can see and control everything in one place. This helps you understand how your pension is performing and exactly what you are paying in charges. AJ Bell will pay up to £500 towards your exit fees when you transfer your pensions to them (terms apply).

It is free to open a SIPP with AJ Bell. The minimum initial deposit is £500 (lump sum) or £25 per month (if you choose the regular investing service). The regular investing service allows you to automatically invest the same amount of money every month at a reduced dealing fee. AJ Bell charges an annual platform fee ranging from 0.25% to 0%, depending on the size of your portfolio. Dealing fees for buying and selling investments online are £1.50 per deal for funds and £9.95 per deal for shares (reducing to £4.95 per deal if there were 10 or more online share deals in the previous month). Visit AJ Bell to learn more. AJ Bell’s suite of products includes a Share Dealing Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, SIPP, and Junior SIPP.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk.

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Moneybox - Good for beginners who want to round up and invest their spare change automatically into their pension pot

Moneybox
Product
SIPP
Account Type
Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£1
Annual Platform Fee
0.45% - 0.15%

Moneybox is a UK investment app that allows you to build a personal pension portfolio from a range of tracker funds. You can also invest in line with your beliefs and values, as the range of funds includes an ESG fund and an Islamic shares fund. With the Moneybox pension, you can track down your old workplace pensions and combine them into one. You can also set up weekly deposits, switch on a monthly payday boost or make one-off deposits whenever you like.

The Moneybox app will empower you to invest your spare change into your pension pot by rounding up your card transactions to the nearest pound and investing the difference on your behalf. For example, if you spend £2.30 on a snack, Moneybox will invest 70p for you.

You can start investing with Moneybox with as little as £1. For the first £100,000 deposited into your Moneybox account, the pension fee is 0.45% per year. On a balance over £100,000, this amount will be charged at 0.15% per year. A fund provider fee also applies to all funds. This will be between 0.12% to 0.61% per year, depending on the fund you choose. Visit Moneybox to learn more. Moneybox’s suite of products includes a Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, Junior ISA, Personal Pension, and General Investment Account.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk.

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Wealthify - Good if you want a mobile-app first pension with access to ready-made portfolios and ethical and sustainable investments

Wealthify Logo
Product
SIPP
Account Type
Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£50
Annual Platform Fee
0.60%

Wealthify is a UK robo advisor that allows you to choose from five investment plans based on your attitude to risk. These investment plans are named Cautious, Tentative, Confident, Ambitious and Adventurous and allow you to choose a risk level that best suits your needs. If you are conscious about the environment or would simply like to invest in line with your values, Wealthify’s five portfolios are also available as ethical investment plans, so you can stay true to your values while potentially growing your money.

Wealthify charges an annual platform fee of 0.60%, and fund management fees range from 0.16% to 0.70% per year, depending on your chosen investment theme. Once you complete the signup process, you can start investing with a lump sum of £50, which you can top up as frequently as you want. Visit Wealthify to learn more.

Wealthify’s suite of products includes a General Investment Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior ISA, and SIPP in both Original and Ethical themes.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk.

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Moneyfarm - Good for beginners who want a passive ETF-only pension pot and access to financial advice and ethical investments

Moneyfarm Logo
Product
SIPP
Account Type
Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£500
Annual Platform Fee
0.75% - 0.35%

Moneyfarm is a UK robo advisor that provides you with a personalised investment plan based on your risk preferences. Investors can choose from seven globally diversified risk-rated portfolios, including ethical investments. The team at Moneyfarm actively manages your investments, but each investment portfolio is made up of passive exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and other passive trackers. Customers also benefit from free and personalised digital financial advice from Moneyfarm’s investment consultants, and you can chat, phone, email, or meet your consultant in person.

If you tell Moneyfarm when you aim to retire, the team will manage your portfolio around your target retirement date - reducing your risk as the date approaches. It is easy to transfer your existing pensions to Moneyfarm. Just fill in your details in-app or online. Moneyfarm will then talk to your existing provider and move your pensions over to your Moneyfarm account. The process typically takes about 3 - 4 weeks and is as paperless as possible, depending on your provider. When you reach the retirement age of 55 (57 from 2028), Moneyfarm will provide a range of flexible options for taking an income from your pension. This is called a pension drawdown, and there is no extra charge for it.

Moneyfarm charges a yearly account management fee starting at 0.75% and reducing to 0.35% as the size of your portfolio increases. The annual average investment fund fee is 0.20%, and the annual effect of market spread comes to about 0.09%. Visit Moneyfarm to learn more. Moneyfarm’s suite of products includes a Stocks and Shares ISA, General Investment Account, and SIPP.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk.

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Hargreaves Lansdown - Good if you want a well-established market-leading pension provider with access to lots of research and products

Hargreaves Lansdown
Product
SIPP
Account Type
DIY & Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£100 lump sum
(or £25 per month)
Annual Platform Fee
0.45% - 0% (Funds)
0.45% (Shares (max £200/year))

Hargreaves Lansdown is a FTSE 100 company and the largest investment platform in the UK. Its core mission is to build long-term client relationships by becoming a trusted partner and financial champion, ultimately helping you increase your financial security for the future. If you choose to invest with Hargreaves Lansdown, you will gain access to over 15,000 instruments, including over 2,500 funds, UK and overseas shares, bonds, ETFs, ETCs, investment trusts and more. 

With Hargreaves Lansdown, you can build your pension portfolio in three ways. You can pick your own investments to match your values and goals, select ready-made portfolios, or pay a financial adviser to choose investments for you. The ready-made portfolios can be used as all-in-one investments. Pick one from the different risk levels, and you are good to go. You will still have to monitor your portfolio as with any other investment. If you pay for financial advice, the specialist investment adviser will recommend a suitable portfolio of investments for your goals and ensure that your portfolio is cost-effective, well-balanced, diversified, and ideal for your stage in life. Hargreaves Lansdown also allows you to combine all your existing pension pots from previous employers. This reduces your pension admin and costs and gives you a clear overview of your retirement funds, so you know exactly where you are invested and how much retirement income you can take. When you retire, Hargreaves Lansdown will provide a host of options for withdrawing your money. The Hargreaves Lansdown SIPP is also suitable for self-employed people, and it is possible to transfer your old pensions from previous employers to the same pot as your self-employed pension.

It is free to open a Hargreaves Lansdown SIPP. The minimum initial deposit is £100 (one-off) or £25 per month (if you set up a direct debit). Hargreaves Lansdown charges an annual platform fee ranging from 0.45% to 0%, depending on the size of your portfolio. Dealing shares online costs £11.95 per deal (reducing to £8.95 or £5.95 per deal if there were 10 to 19 trades or 20+ trades, respectively, in the previous month). Visit Hargreaves Lansdown to learn more. There is no dealing charge for buying or selling funds. Hargreaves Lansdown’s suite of products includes a Fund and Share Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, Junior ISA, SIPP, and Junior SIPP.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk. The Hargreaves Lansdown SIPP is intended for investors who are happy making their own investment decisions. The charges quoted here are not exhaustive–other charges apply.

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Saxo - Good if you want access to the widest and most diverse product range on the market, including leveraged products

Saxo logo
Product
SIPP
Account Type
DIY & Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£0
Annual Platform Fee
0.12% - 0.08%
(min €120 (~ £108))

Saxo is the UK division of Saxo Bank, a large European bank and investment platform that allows you to invest in 71,000+ financial products from stock markets around the world, including London, New York, Hong Kong, and 50+ global markets. With Saxo, you can build your pension portfolio with more than 11,000 global stocks, ETFs, and bonds.

Beginner investors or those who prefer a ready-made investment portfolio can select from one of the managed portfolios on offer, where Saxo experts navigate the markets and manage your investments on your behalf. The average cost of a managed portfolio is 0.95% per year (including fund costs). Advanced or more confident investors can choose from the range of financial products on offer and build their portfolios themselves. It’s free to open a SIPP with Saxo, and all registered users have access to a personal account manager.

Saxo has different transaction fees grouped into trading tiers. If you plan to trade high volumes, you can upgrade your tier to get lower transaction fees. The Classic tier, which attracts the highest trading fees, costs 0.08% (min. £3) per deal for UK stocks and US$0.015 (min. US$1) per deal for US stocks. Other fees apply. Additionally, other exchanges, such as those in Europe or Asia, have different trading fees, which you can find on Saxo’s website. Saxo’s suite of products includes a Trading Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, and SIPP.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk.

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Bestinvest - Good for beginners and experts alike who want access to a low-cost pension with a good list of ready-made portfolios

Bestinvest logo
Product
SIPP
Account Type
DIY & Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£0
Annual Platform Fee
0.40% - 0% (DIY)
0.20% - 0% (Ready-made)

Bestinvest is a UK low-cost investment platform that allows you to trade or invest in over 3,000 instruments, including shares, funds, ETFs, and investment trusts. With Bestinvest, you can build your pension pot in one of two ways depending on your personal preferences, goals and attitude to risk.

Beginners or those who prefer a ready-made investment portfolio can build their pension pot by selecting one of Bestinvest’s ready-made investments. These off-the-shelf style portfolios are created and managed by the team at Bestinvest and come with a carefully selected and diversified collection of investments. Once you have picked one, you do not need to do anything else. There are three ranges to choose from: Expert, Smart and Direct, depending on whether you want to maximise the returns for the risk you take, focus on cost-efficiency or focus on individual investments. The team at Bestinvest will walk you through the process of selecting a ready-made portfolio. Advanced or more confident investors can choose from a wide range of funds, shares, ETFs and ITs and build their pension portfolios themselves. If you have multiple pensions, Bestinvest can help you consolidate them into one to make them easier to manage and review. With fewer pension providers, you could save money in fees and might have less paperwork to deal with. Bestinvest will pay up to £500 towards your exit fees when you transfer your pensions to them (terms apply).

To start building your pension pot with Bestinvest, you can deposit a lump sum or set up a monthly savings plan which allows you to automatically save or invest a set amount into your SIPP every month. There are no set-up fees or fund dealing charges with the Bestinvest SIPP. Bestinvest charges an annual platform fee ranging from 0.40% to 0% for DIY investing and 0.20% to 0% for ready-made investing. The dealing fee for buying and selling shares online is £4.95 per deal. Visit Bestinvest to learn more. Bestinvest’s suite of products includes a Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, General Investment Account, SIPP, and Junior SIPP.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk.

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Netwealth - Good if you have a lot of money to invest in a pension and fancy a first-class private banking experience with financial advice

Netwealth logo
Product
SIPP
Account Type
Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£50,000
Annual Platform Fee
0.65% - 0.35%
(+ £150 fixed)

Netwealth is a wealth management platform designed for high-net-worth individuals. If you have a relatively large amount of money to invest and are looking for an intimate private wealth manager, Netwealth might be a good option for you. Netwealth’s overarching goal is to help you manage your money cost-effectively while generating a secure income over the medium to long term that may help with important financial events, such as school fees, retirement or elderly care.

When you join Netweath, you get a free initial consultation with a qualified wealth adviser to help you define your objectives and maximise your investment potential. This process informs what combination of risk levels and account types are best suited for you. The adviser will also help you put a financial plan in place and check back in with you regularly. With Netwealth, you can choose from seven ready-made globally diversified portfolios, which aim to maximise the return for your chosen risk level. You also get access to free, powerful financial planning tools to help you visualise your potential investment outcome.

The minimum investment amount to become a client of Netwealth is £50,000. This, however, can be made up of different account types and include cash deposits and transfers from other providers. For example, the minimum portfolio size for an ISA is £5,000 and £1,000 for a JISA. There is no dealing fee, but the average annual investment cost comes to about 0.30%. Other charges apply. Visit Netwealth to learn more. The Netwealth Network lets you invite up to seven people, who each benefit from a lower minimum joining deposit of £5,000, lower fees and investment independence. Netwealth’s suite of products includes a Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior Stocks and Shares ISA, General Investment Account, and SIPP.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk.

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Vanguard - Good if you have very little to put into a pension and want a straightforward way to invest in index funds and ETFs

Vanguard Investor'
Product
SIPP
Account Type
DIY & Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£500 lump sum
(or £100 per month)
Annual Platform Fee
0.15% (max £375/year)

Vanguard is a popular low-cost investment platform with over 75 own-brand funds, including ETFs, active funds and index funds. Vanguard does not offer stocks and shares, but there are various ETFs on offer for those interested in exchange-traded securities.

The Vanguard SIPP allows you to build a pension in one of two ways depending on your investing savviness: beginner investors or those who prefer to choose a ready-made investment portfolio can build their pension pot by selecting one of the Target Retirement funds, which give you access to thousands of bonds and shares in a single investment. Advanced or more confident investors can choose from over 75 individual Vanguard funds and build their pension portfolios themselves. It is straightforward to transfer your existing pensions to Vanguard, and it is completely free to do so - although your existing provider might charge you a fee, so check with them first.

To open a Vanguard SIPP, you need at least £100 per month or a lump sum of £500. There is a yearly management fee of 0.15% (capped at £375) per year. Some of the funds on offer have separate charges, so please check these before investing. Visit Vanguard to learn more. Vanguard has other products, including a Stocks and Shares ISA, Junior ISA, General Account, and Personal Financial Planning.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk.

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Aviva - Good if you want a low-cost and low-contribution ready-made Stakeholder Pension with financial advice

Aviva's Logo
Product
Stakeholder Pension
Account Type
Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£20 per month
Annual Fund Management Cost
Capped at 1%

The Aviva Stakeholder Pension allows you to invest your money in a range of funds that give you access to various assets such as stocks, shares and property. You will also be able to choose from a range of high to low-risk funds, depending on your attitude to risk.

With Aviva, you can start your Stakeholder Pension with as little as £20 a month and pay money into your pension plan either regularly, e.g. every month, or make one-off payments. You can also change that amount or stop and start payments when you need to. When you reach the retirement age of 55 (57 from 2028), you will have a number of options about how you can use your pension savings, including taking an income, lump sum or a combination of both. The Aviva Stakeholder Pension also lets you create a pension pot for your children or grandchildren. You can deposit up to £2,880 for each child per year.

With Aviva, you pay only an annual fund charge, which is capped at 1%. You will not have to pay any charges for setting up your investment or for switching money between funds. Aviva offers financial advice at a separate fee. Visit Aviva to learn more.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk.

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Standard Life - Good if you fancy a low-cost and very low-contribution DIY or ready-made Stakeholder Pension

Standard Life
Product
Stakeholder Pension
Account Type
DIY & Ready-made
Minimum Contribution
£16
Annual Fund Management Cost
Capped at 1%

The Standard Life Stakeholder Pension allows you to invest your money in 30+ funds and 2 Lifestyle Profiles. You can invest in up to 12 funds at any one time, but if you decide to pick a Lifestyle Profile, you can only combine this with a with-profits fund.

The Lifestyle Profiles are ready-made investment portfolios that invest your money in funds and move them as you get closer to retirement to try to get you the best possible returns for your goals. If you do not want to choose a fund, Standard Life will automatically invest your money in a Lifestyle Profile depending on goals and risk preferences.

Standard Life charges an annual management charge of 1% of the value of the funds you are invested in each year. Visit Standard Life to learn more.

Please note: When you pay into a pension, your capital is at risk.

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What Is a Private Pension?

A private pension is a type of pension scheme that is not arranged by the government.

There are two types of private pensions:

  1. Personal Pension
  2. Workplace Pension

Before we go into detail on the types of private pensions, let us first examine what a pension is, the types of pensions available, the key features of the State Pension, and when and how you can withdraw your pension.

What Is a Pension?

A pension is a savings pot you contribute to throughout your working life and spend from when you retire.

We are all going to be old someday, and no one needs to tell us that when we are too old to work, we will need a steady income stream to keep us going. A pension is that income stream. You can think of it as a long-term savings account you must contribute to while you are young and can only withdraw from after you retire.

For most Koody readers, retirement might seem ridiculously far away. Still, it is important to remember that if you want to live comfortably and enjoy life when you are much older, it pays to start planning now.

The money you pay into a pension is usually invested in stocks, shares, funds and bonds by your pension provider. Some providers might also keep a small portion of your pension pot in cash.

When saving into a pension, please keep in mind that the money in your pension pot is untouchable until you reach the retirement age of 55 (increases to 57 in 2028).

Types of Pensions

There are two types of pensions - defined benefit and defined contribution pensions.

For our generation, the relevant pension type is the defined contribution pension. It is also sometimes referred to as a “personal pension” or “money purchase pension”.

With a defined contribution pension, the onus is on you to build your own pension pot, which will then serve as an income source in retirement. You can do this by joining your workplace pension scheme or signing up for and regularly contributing to a personal pension.

When you retire, the amount you will get from a defined contribution pension depends on how much you contribute throughout your lifetime, how your investments perform, and the lifestyle you choose at retirement.

The State Pension

In addition to the personal and workplace pensions, you are entitled to the State Pension. The State Pension is a free retirement income from the government, and the amount you get is based entirely on your National Insurance record.

The earliest you can get the State Pension is when you reach the State Pension age. If you are currently aged between 20 and 39, your State Pension age will likely be 68. You can double-check that number on GOV.UK.

How to Withdraw Your Pension

When you reach the retirement age of 55 (increases to 57 in 2028), you can withdraw up to 25% of the money in your pension as a tax-free lump sum.

After that, you have six months to start taking the remaining 75%, which you will usually have to pay tax on.

Your pension provider will deduct any tax you owe before you get money from your pension pot, and you might have to pay a higher tax rate if you take large amounts from your pension pot. 

The options you have for taking the remaining 75% of your pension pot include the following:

  1. Taking all or some of it as cash.
  2. Buying a financial product that gives you a guaranteed income (or “annuity”) for life.
  3. Investing it to receive a regular, adjustable income (or “flexi-access drawdown”).

Not all pension providers offer all the options above, so be sure to check that the pension provider you choose offers your preferred withdrawal option before committing to them.

If you have already committed to a pension provider that does not offer your preferred withdrawal option, you can simply transfer your pension to another provider. Your existing provider may charge a fee for the transfer.

What Is a Personal Pension?

A personal pension is a type of private pension that you arrange yourself.

When you join a personal pension scheme, the pension manager will put your money into investments such as stocks and shares, bonds, index funds, active funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), investment trusts (ITs) and ready-made investments.

These investments grow steadily over time, and after accounting for compound interest, if you have contributed to your pension most of your working life, you will have a sizeable retirement pot and source of income when you retire.

There are typically two ways to build a pension portfolio depending on your objectives, attitude to risk and investing expertise: you can either pick your own investments and build your portfolio yourself or choose a ready-made investment portfolio. The best pension providers in the UK will allow you to invest in one or both ways.

  1. Picking Your Own Investments: Most pension providers offer a wide selection of stocks, bonds and funds. If you are confident enough to pick individual investments and build and monitor your portfolio yourself, this option might be best for you.

    It can also be the cheaper option because you do not have to pay the pension provider a fee for investment selection or financial advice. However, It can be riskier and more administratively tasking as you may have to manage many different investments yourself.
  2. Choosing a Ready-Made Portfolio: Ready-made investment portfolios are diversified baskets of investments built by pension managers to help reduce the burden of selecting individual investments. With one ready-made portfolio, you could have access to thousands of investments.

    Ready-made portfolios are usually risk-rated and personalised such that you can pick one based on your investment goals, personal preferences, and risk tolerance. Each portfolio will typically comprise shares, bonds, and funds handpicked by the pension manager.

    In most cases, once you’ve selected one, you do not have to do anything else besides monitor the progress of your investments. Ready-made portfolios are usually slightly more expensive than picking an individual stock or fund but come with less administrative burden. Some providers also offer financial advice, which usually comes at an extra charge.

Personal pensions are tax-free up to certain limits, and like all pensions, you also get tax relief from the government. It only costs 80p of your own money to save £1. That is a 20% tax relief, and it is much higher if you are a higher earner (more on that below).

While pension contributions are tax-free, you may have to pay tax in certain circumstances. For example, you will pay tax on pension contributions when you:

  1. Contribute more than £60,000 in one year - this is your annual allowance, and you can usually carry forward any unused allowance for up to three years.
  2. Contribute more than 100% of your earnings in one year.
  3. Exceed your lifetime allowance of £1,073,100.

You also pay tax on pension contributions if:

  1. Your pension provider is not registered for tax relief with HMRC.
  2. Your provider does not invest your pension pot according to HMRC’s rules.

Visit GOV.UK for more information on the tax you pay on your private pension contributions.

Please note that you usually can’t access the money in your pension pot until you reach the retirement age of 55 (increases to 57 in 2028), when you can take 25% as a tax-free lump sum.

Why Choose a Personal Pension?

A personal pension could be a great way to save for retirement if you do not have a workplace pension. Even if you have a workplace pension, a personal pension in addition to your workplace pension could be a great way to grow your retirement savings faster.

Personal pensions are especially great for people who:

  1. Are self-employed,
  2. Do not qualify for a workplace pension, or
  3. Have a workplace pension but want to save into a private pension plan in addition to their workplace pension.

Types of Personal Pensions

There are two types of personal pensions: Self-invested Personal Pension (SIPP) and Stakeholder Pension.


  1. Self-invested Personal Pension (SIPP)
    A SIPP gives you the flexibility to choose the specific investments that make up your pension portfolio. Depending on your pension provider, you can either select individual investments and manage your portfolio yourself (do-it-yourself SIPP) or choose from a range of ready-made portfolios (ready-made SIPP).

    A ready-made portfolio is a diverse mix of investments created by pension managers to help reduce the burden of choosing individual investments. With one ready-made portfolio, you could have access to thousands of investments.
  1. Stakeholder Pension
    A Stakeholder Pension is a type of personal pension that must meet minimum standards set by the government.

    These minimum standards are:
  • ~~Capped charges,
  • ~~Free transfers,
  • ~~Low minimum contributions,
  • ~~Flexible contributions (you can stop and start payments when you want), and
  • ~~A default investment fund (if you do not want to choose investments).


Due to their flexibility, Stakeholder Pensions can be of particular benefit if you are self-employed, on a low income, or not working.


Another way to save for retirement is with a Lifetime ISA. A Lifetime ISA is not a pension but a longer-term tax-free savings or investment account created to help those between the ages of 18 and 39 save for their first home or retirement. Each tax year, you can pay up to £4,000 into a Lifetime ISA. The government will add a 25% bonus to your Lifetime ISA every tax year up to a maximum of £1,000 per year, and you can continue saving or investing into a LISA until you are 50.

Pros and Cons of SIPPs

Pros of Investing in a SIPP

  1. When you invest in a SIPP, you can choose exactly what goes into your pension portfolio. For example, individual stocks and shares, investment trusts, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), index funds, unit trusts, cash, and bonds.
  2. SIPPs give you complete control over how and where your money is invested, and you can make decisions that determine how your pension pot performs without consulting anyone.

Cons of Investing in a SIPP

  1. SIPPs may have higher charges than Stakeholder Pensions.
  2. With a do-it-yourself (DIY) SIPP, you may need to keep up to date with the markets, which can be tedious and time-consuming.
  3. DIY SIPPs can be quite risky for inexperienced investors.

Pros and Cons of Stakeholder Pensions

Pros of Investing in a Stakeholder Pension

  1. Due to their simple design and flexibility, Stakeholder Pensions can be of particular benefit to those who are self-employed, on a low income, or not working.
  2. You can stop and start contributions whenever you want without fear of being penalised.
  3. Anyone can pay into your Stakeholder Pension. For example, your parents or grandparents can contribute to your pension pot.

Cons of Investing in a Stakeholder Pension

  1. Stakeholder Pensions are quite rare, and most pension providers do not offer them. You might run into a bit of trouble finding the right Stakeholder Pension for you.
  2. Stakeholder Pensions come with a default low-risk investment fund. This limits the investment options available to you and could potentially result in lower returns than those of other personal pension plans.

Tax Relief on Personal Pensions

The government will add money to your pension contributions in the form of tax relief (free money).

For every £80 you pay into your pension, the government adds £20 - and you can claim an extra £20 if you are a higher earner.

You can think of tax relief as a refund of the tax you originally paid on your pension contribution at your usual rate of income tax - 20%, 40%, or 45%.

It is your pension provider that claims this tax relief at the basic rate and adds it to your pension. Tax relief for higher-rate taxpayers is slightly different. If you are a higher-rate taxpayer, you will need to claim the additional rebate through your tax return. Alternatively, if you are claiming a large sum, a phone call or letter to HMRC should do the trick.

How to Choose a Personal Pension Plan

To choose a personal pension plan, you need to:

  1. Shop Around for Pension Providers Before Making a Commitment: Go to each of the pension provider’s websites you are interested in and take a look at the investments and types of services they offer. Ask for the key features document for each investment or pension plan you are considering.

  1. Review Investment Options: Depending on your risk appetite, financial goals, and retirement horizon, you might want different investment options available within the pension plan. Some providers may offer a wider variety of funds, ranging from low-risk bond funds to higher-risk equity funds or even global or niche sector funds.

  2. Get Financial Guidance or Advice if Necessary: If you are unsure of what products to invest in or need some guidance in deciding the best personal pension for you, it might be worth getting proper advice from a regulated independent financial adviser.

  3. Consider Pension Charges Carefully: Charges may include platform fees, fund management costs, dealing fees, transfer charges, and penalties for missed payments. Be sure to check what charges you will have to pay and when.

  4. Make Sure the Pension Provider Is Regulated: Check that your pension provider is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or The Pensions Regulator (if it is a Stakeholder Pension). The FCA or The Pensions Regulator regulates all of the pension providers listed on Koody.

  5. Consider Flexibility: Some pension plans might offer more flexibility in terms of contribution amounts, frequency, or the ability to take breaks in contributions. This can be particularly useful if your income fluctuates or if you foresee changes in your ability to contribute in the future.

  6. Evaluate the Level of Customer Support: It is essential to think about the level of service you expect from your provider. Some may offer 24/7 helplines, online portals, or regular financial health check-ups. Good customer service can make the experience much more pleasant and help you manage your pension more effectively.

  7. Review the Exit Terms: It is crucial to know what happens if you decide to transfer your pension or if you want to exit the plan entirely. Some plans might have exit fees or other penalties.

  8. Beware of Scammers: If something sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Also, if someone shows you a way to withdraw your pension before you are 55, it is most likely a pension scam. You can learn more about pension scams on the MoneyHelper website.
  9. Future Proof Your Pension Account: Technology and online tools can help you monitor and manage your pension more effectively. Providers who invest in digital tools, apps, or online platforms can offer added convenience, especially as you may be contributing to and managing this pension for several decades.


Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best pension providers in the UK?

Here are the best pension providers in the UK:

  1. Interactive Investor - Low cost; 40,000+ Instruments
  2. AJ Bell - Mid-price range; Lots of research; 15,000+ Instruments
  3. Moneybox - Mid-price range; Auto-investing; Good for beginners
  4. Moneyfarm - Offers financial advice and ethical investments
  5. Wealthify - Mid-price range; Offers ethical themes; Beginner friendly
  6. Hargreaves Lansdown - Lots of research; 15,000+ Instruments
  7. Saxo - Diverse product range; 71,000+ Instruments
  8. Bestinvest - Low cost; Lots of research; 3,000+ Instruments
  9. Netwealth - Mid-price range; High-net-worth clients; Offers advice
  10. Vanguard - Offers financial planning and educational resources

2. What are the best types of pensions for self-employed people?

The best types of pensions for self-employed people in the UK are Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs), Stakeholder Pensions, and Lifetime ISAs. A SIPP offers a greater degree of control and flexibility, allowing you to manage your investments directly. Meanwhile, a Stakeholder Pension is a low-cost, simple pension scheme with government-set standards, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a more hands-off approach.

A Lifetime ISA, while not a pension, is another option to consider for retirement savings. It allows individuals aged 18 - 39 to save up to £4,000 per year, with the government providing a 25% bonus on contributions. The funds in a Lifetime ISA can be used for purchasing your first home or for retirement after the age of 60.

The advantages of a Lifetime ISA include tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals. However, its main disadvantage is that if you withdraw funds before the age of 60 for any reason other than buying your first home, you will incur a withdrawal penalty, losing the government bonus and facing an additional charge.

Additionally, the government has set up a workplace pension scheme called NEST Pensions, which is also open to the self-employed. You can join NEST if you’re self-employed or the sole director of a company that doesn’t employ anyone else.

3. Are pensions worth it for the self-employed?

Yes, pensions are absolutely worth it for the self-employed. They provide a valuable source of income in retirement, and thanks to the tax relief on contributions, they offer a tax-efficient way to save. While self-employed individuals may not benefit from employer contributions, the advantages of a pension, such as compound interest and a diverse range of investment options, make it an indispensable part of one’s long-term financial planning.

4. Is it worth paying into a private pension in the UK?

Yes, it is most certainly worth paying into a private pension in the UK. A private pension can be a great way to boost your savings and provide you with more income than the State Pension in your retirement years.

Tax benefits from a private pension mean that any money you pay towards your pension will be increased through tax relief, which puts more money in your pocket and less towards government taxes.

These benefits continue when you retire. Once you reach retirement age, you can take 25% of your pension fund as a tax-free lump sum. The remaining funds will then be paid to you as income and taxed at normal levels.

It is important to keep in mind that tax benefits from a private pension do not apply to everyone. The best way to determine whether or not a private pension is right for you is to speak to a regulated financial adviser.

5. How much can I pay into my pension each year?

You can pay 100% of your earnings into your pension every year up to a maximum of £60,000. Any contribution above this will be taxed by the government.

Private pension contributions are tax-free up to certain limits. You will usually pay tax if the savings in your pension pot exceed the following limits:

  • 100% of your annual earnings - this is the limit on claimable tax relief.
  • £60,000 a year - this is what the annual pension allowance is currently capped at.
  • £1,073,000 in your lifetime - this is the current lifetime allowance.

Pension schemes must be registered with HMRC to qualify for tax relief. You can check with your pension provider if you are unsure whether your scheme is registered or not.

6. Is it best to put all pensions together?

If you have several pension pots dotted around from previous jobs, there are potential benefits from combining them into one. When you consolidate your pensions, it makes them easier to keep track of and manage, you have less admin to deal with, your pension charges could potentially reduce, you’d get a single pension statement, and you’ll know exactly how much you have saved up for retirement at any given time.

To combine your pensions, start by making a list of the pensions you’ve got. If you are unsure of who your pension providers are, ask your previous employers or use the government’s free pension tracing service for tracking lost pensions.

When transferring your pensions, please note that your pension provider may charge you a pension transfer fee. Be sure to look into that to ensure it makes financial sense to transfer your pensions to another provider. Pro Tip: Some pension providers, such as AJ Bell and Bestinvest, will cover your pension transfer costs up to £500 when transferring your old pensions to them.

Also, beware of scammers. If someone contacts you unexpectedly, offering to help you transfer your pension pot, it’s likely to be a scam. Always check that your pension provider is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or The Pensions Regulator (if it is a Stakeholder Pension).

7. Where is the best place to invest a lump sum pension?

On the one hand, if you’ve recently come into some cash and are looking to invest it in a pension scheme, the best places to invest a lump sum pension in the UK are Interactive Investor, AJ Bell, and Vanguard.

All three platforms offer a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP). They also offer a wide variety of investments and charge low to medium fees. All three platforms also allow you to consolidate your old pensions into one, so you can transfer all your old pensions to them and see everything in one place. Additionally, they all offer index funds, ETFs and ready-made portfolios suitable for retirement investing.

On the other hand, If you’ve recently retired, have just withdrawn your 25% pension lump sum and are looking to invest it, we would strongly recommend against doing that. The simple reason is that we believe investing should be for the long term, at least five years.

Even if you do not plan to use the funds in the next five years, as a retiree, you should deposit your pension lump sum where you can have easy access to it and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are not going to lose your money if the market takes a hit, such as in a savings account. Better yet, speak to your pension provider about the services they offer to let you withdraw from your pension regularly–this is called an annuity or a flexi-access drawdown.


8. Can I have a private pension and a workplace pension?

Yes, you can have a private pension and a workplace pension. Getting a private pension in addition to your workplace pension could be a great way to grow your retirement savings faster.

9. Will my State Pension be reduced if I have a private pension?

No, your State Pension will not be reduced if you have a private pension. Your State Pension is based entirely on your National Insurance contribution history and is separate from your private pensions. In the same way, saving into a workplace pension does not affect your entitlement to the State Pension.

The earliest you can get the new State Pension is when you reach State Pension age, and you’ll usually need at least ten qualifying years on your National Insurance record to get any State Pension. They do not have to be ten qualifying years in a row.


10. Can you withdraw money from a private pension?

You usually can’t withdraw money from a private pension before the retirement age of 55 (increases to 57 in 2028). However, there are some rare cases where you can, e.g., if you are too ill to work or if you have a severe illness, which means you are expected to live for less than a year.

In the case of the State Pension, the earliest you can get that is when you reach your State Pension age. If you are currently aged between 20 and 39, your State Pension age will likely be 68. If you retire before this age, you will have to wait to claim your State Pension.


11. What is a good private pension contribution in the UK?

10 - 15% of your gross annual income is a good private pension contribution if you live in the UK, but the more you save into your pension, the better.

Most financial advisers recommend saving at least 10% of your income before tax towards your retirement. 10% might seem like a lot, but remember that it includes tax relief from the government and employer contributions if your employer contributes.

When deciding how much to contribute, remember to consider your current age, how old you will be when you retire, your preferred retirement lifestyle, and the average number of years people spend in retirement. Have a play with the MoneyHelper’s Pension Calculator to work out how changing your pension contributions at your age will affect your total retirement savings.

12. What is a good monthly pension amount in the UK?

A good monthly pension amount in the UK is 10% - 15% of your gross monthly income, but the more you pay into a pension, the better. When you receive your monthly salary and some of it goes into your pension, check that the total contribution equals 10% - 15% of your pre-tax monthly income. If it does not, you can simply add the difference by joining the pension contribution matching scheme in your place of work if your employer offers one or opening a private pension, such as a SIPP or a Stakeholder Pension.

When thinking about your monthly pension contributions, you should consider your current age, the type of pension you have, and the amount of money you’re expecting to live on once you retire and when you plan to retire.


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Credits

  1. Gov.uk
  2. MoneyHelper
  3. Citizens Advice

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