ii Top 10...things to keep in mind when managing your own SIPP

In the first article of the new ii Top Ten series, our pensions expert Rebecca O’Connor (pictured below) highlights the crucial things investors must consider when managing a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP).

1. If you are not due to retire in the next 10 years, you are investing for the long term. This means you can afford to target higher growth options, but be aware that these come with more risk.

2. Think about how long you are investing for as this will help determine your choices. The longer the term, the more risk you can take because you have time to wait for investments to recover from a fall in value. 

3. Consider a monthly amount that is affordable to you. Contribute too much and you might end up resenting your contributions and feeling like you can’t afford them. You might then stop contributing. The amount you set aside monthly has to be sustainable and realistic. You can always build up as you go along.

4. You will need to diversify across asset classes, sectors and geographies for yourself, so make sure you understand the principles of diversification well before you start, and look at underlying holdings and fund reports.

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5. Don’t forget about investment trusts, which you can hold alongside funds in your SIPP. There are a number of benefits to investment trusts including dividend smoothing, gearing and high liquidity. 

6. There are platform charges but there are also fund charges: make sure you are comfortable with what you are paying. Actively managed funds usually come with a higher fee, which in theory, can be justified by the potential for higher returns. But you might want a mix of active and lower-cost passive approaches in your SIPP to manage fees.

7. Make sure you are getting all the tax relief you are due. With a SIPP, basic-rate tax relief is claimed for you but you will have to claim higher or additional rate relief through your tax return.

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8. Make use of your annual contribution allowance, which is up to the level of your annual earnings, or £40,000. 

9. As this is your pension, consider checking performance less frequently than you might a trading account. Checking too frequently can cause unnecessary anxiety for an investment that is locked away for the long term.

10. Don’t forget to fill in your nomination of beneficiaries or ‘expression of wishes’ form, giving details of who you want to receive your pension when you pass away.