Why advisers should explore the SSAS market for clients

Don't shy away from relevant small schemes aka SSAS

clock • 4 min read

The SSAS decline has plateaued, writes Lee Halpin. Here he urges advisers to remember its unique advantages...

Small self-administered schemes (SSAS), or relevant small schemes (RSS), as The Pensions Regulator now likes to refer to them, have been part of the pensions landscape for a long time. As the popular self-invested personal pension (SIPP) became the flexible pension of choice, SSASs were on a steady, yet undramatic, decline. However, in recent years the number of SSASs knocking about has plateaued and even threatens a resurgence of sorts. There were 22,500 schemes on 1 January 2016 and that figure dropped down to 21,750 on the same date in 2021 - as I said, a steady decline - and TPR e...

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

Women, wealth, and worry: How to close the retirement gender gap

Women, wealth, and worry: How to close the retirement gender gap

Julia Peake explores the retirement gender gap and suggests how it can be closed...

Julia Peake
clock 16 December 2025 • 4 min read
Senior pension figures question HMRC's 7.7 million salary sacrifice uptake figure

Senior pension figures question HMRC's 7.7 million salary sacrifice uptake figure

‘It doesn't take much of an error in those figures to have no benefit whatsoever’

Jenna Brown
clock 15 December 2025 • 8 min read
FCA launches consultation on adapting to a 'changing pensions market'

FCA launches consultation on adapting to a 'changing pensions market'

Outlines regime for digital pension planning tool

Holly Roach
clock 11 December 2025 • 3 min read