SIPP Advice – Independent Guidance on Self-Invested Personal Pensions

A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) gives you more control over how your retirement savings are invested. But with more choice comes more responsibility – and for many people, more confusion.

We help you understand whether a SIPP is right for you, how it works, what it costs, and how it fits into your wider retirement plan.

Independent, FCA-regulated advice from Broadstairs-based advisers, supporting clients across Thanet and wider Kent.

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✓ A SIPP may be suitable if…

A SIPP may be helpful if you want more control and flexibility over how your pension is invested and you’re comfortable taking investment risk with appropriate guidance.

You have several pensions and want a more joined-up strategy.
You’d like access to a wider range of funds, ETFs or investments.
You’re building a long-term retirement plan and want a tailored portfolio.
You run your own business and want flexible, tax-efficient contributions.
Your pension pot is large enough that cost, structure and investment choice really matter.

× A SIPP may be less suitable if…

A SIPP isn’t the right answer for everyone. In some cases a standard personal or workplace pension may be simpler, cheaper or more appropriate.

You prefer a very hands-off approach with minimal decisions.
Your pension value is relatively small and SIPP fees could erode returns.
You have valuable guarantees or safeguarded benefits in an existing scheme.
You’re uncomfortable with market volatility and investment risk.
Your wider tax position and goals point towards a different structure.

How we help you decide if a SIPP is right for you

Choosing a SIPP is never just about chasing investment returns — it’s about building a sustainable, tax-efficient retirement plan that supports your lifestyle now and in later life.

We review your pensions, goals and appetite for risk, then model different scenarios to show exactly how your choices could play out over time before making any recommendation.

Full review of your existing pensions, charges, performance and features.
Clear conversation around your retirement goals, timeframes and priorities.
Plain-English explanation of how SIPPs work and what they mean for you.
Unbiased comparison between staying put, consolidating, or moving to a SIPP.
Implementation support if a SIPP is suitable – including transfers where appropriate.
Ongoing reviews & rebalancing to keep your retirement plan aligned and on track.

Any recommendation we make will be specific to you and fully explained before you decide whether to proceed.

SIPP FAQs

What exactly is a SIPP? ⌄

A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) is a type of personal pension that gives you more choice over how your pension is invested. Instead of being limited to a small default range, you can usually access a much wider selection of funds and other investments. With that extra choice comes more responsibility, which is why advice is often helpful.

Can I transfer my existing pensions into a SIPP? ⌄

In many cases, yes – personal and workplace pensions can often be transferred into a SIPP. However, it’s not always the right thing to do. We check for valuable guarantees, protected tax-free cash, exit charges and other features before recommending any transfer, and we’ll only suggest moving if it clearly supports your long-term interests.

Are SIPPs more expensive than normal pensions? ⌄

SIPPs can be cost-effective, but the charges depend on the provider, platform and investments you use. Sometimes a SIPP works out cheaper; sometimes a standard pension is better value. As part of our advice, we compare the total costs – including product, platform, fund and advice charges – so you can see exactly what you’re paying and what you’re getting in return.

What can I invest in through a SIPP? ⌄

Depending on the provider, SIPPs can offer access to funds, shares, ETFs, investment trusts, cash and, in some cases, commercial property. That doesn’t mean you should use all of them. We build a diversified portfolio that matches your goals and attitude to risk, rather than chasing whatever is fashionable at the time.

Can I use a SIPP to take flexible retirement income? ⌄

Yes. SIPPs are often used alongside flexi-access drawdown, where you can take tax-free cash and then draw taxable income as needed. The key question is how much you can afford to take without putting your future security at risk. We use cashflow modelling to help answer that and to create an income plan that feels sustainable.

How do I get started? ⌄

The easiest first step is a conversation. We’ll talk through your current pensions, your goals and any questions you have. If a SIPP looks worth exploring, we’ll complete a full review and provide a clear, written recommendation setting out your options before you decide whether to proceed.

Ready to explore whether a SIPP is right for you?

Get clear, independent advice tailored to your retirement goals.

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THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME.

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DEBT SECURED ON IT.

IMPORTANT: With investments, your capital is at risk. Pensions and investments can go down in value as well as up, so you could get back less than you invest.

Need Financial Planning Ltd is registered in England and Wales no. 10901658. Registered office, 123 High Street, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1NQ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Need Financial Planning Ltd is entered on the Financial Services Register https://register.fca.org.uk/ under reference 977136. If you wish to register a complaint, please write to [email protected] or telephone 01843 228800. A summary of our internal complaints handling procedures for the reasonable and prompt handling of complaints is available on request and if you cannot settle your complaint with us, you may be entitled to refer it to the Financial Ombudsman Service at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk or by contacting them on 0800 0234 567.