A guide to esoteric investments in SIPP and SSAS

clock •

Neil MacGillivray takes a look at the esoteric investments clients can put in a SIPP or SSAS

Faced with challenging investment conditions some investors contemplate esoteric investments as a way of maximising investment return on their pension fund. While such investments usually carry more risk, their suitability as a pension investment deserves careful scrutiny. There is no strict definition of ‘esoteric investments' and what follows is a brief review of some of the more popular investor requests. Unquoted shares Under the Finance Act 2004, Schedule 29A, both SIPP and SSAS are classed as investment regulated pension schemes and where such schemes hold taxable property, d...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Pensions

Do clients already own the best retirement portfolio?

Do clients already own the best retirement portfolio?

'Feeling safer and being safer aren't the same thing'

Alex Funk
clock 29 October 2026 • 4 min read
Budget 26: Government to get rid of two-year tax rule on lump sum death benefits

Budget 26: Government to get rid of two-year tax rule on lump sum death benefits

Changes will also be made to how tax due on excess lump sum death benefits is collected

Jonathan Stapleton
clock 28 October 2026 • 1 min read
Budget 26: State pensioners to be shielded from income tax

Budget 26: State pensioners to be shielded from income tax

State pension expected to rise to £13,036

Sophia Panayi
clock 28 October 2026 • 2 min read