Add Gold to Your Pension

Some SIPPs and SSAS schemes can hold qualifying physical gold. HMRC's tax exception and your provider's investment acceptance are separate checks: confirm both before arranging a purchase.

General information only, not personal investment, pension-transfer, legal or tax advice. We do not recommend an allocation or assess whether gold or a transfer is suitable for you. Seek an appropriately authorised financial adviser and a qualified tax adviser for your circumstances. Tax rules and provider requirements can change; capital is at risk.

Read the SIPP & SSAS Guide for detailed eligibility, approval, custody, costs and risk information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold gold coins or silver in my SIPP or SSAS?

HMRC's investment-grade gold exception is for bullion bars or wafers of at least 995/1000 purity and accepted bullion-market weight. It does not cover gold coins or silver. Provider acceptance is a separate requirement; confirm the particular investment and custody before buying.

Does HMRC require every pension gold bar to be LBMA-accredited?

LBMA refiner accreditation is not a blanket HMRC requirement in PTM125100's investment-grade gold definition. Providers can impose their own commercial acceptance and custody requirements, including LBMA-accredited refiners, and may reject a tax-qualifying bar.

Who approves and pays for a pension gold purchase?

The provider or SSAS trustees must approve the purchase first. Our provider-facing sales order is then promoted to an invoice to the pension provider on behalf of the member, with SSAS scheme billing identity retained where applicable. The provider pays; procurement follows cleared funds.

What does pension gold cost?

Ask for a current written quote covering product premium, provider fees, dealing, custody, insurance, applicable VAT and exit or resale charges. Spot prices are not executable purchase or buyback quotes. Costs vary by provider, product and arrangement.

Should I transfer an existing pension to buy gold?

This page cannot assess suitability. Transfers can lose valuable benefits and incur costs. Defined-benefit transfers give up guaranteed lifetime income and cannot be reversed; the FCA and The Pensions Regulator consider staying in a defined-benefit pension to be in most people's interests. Obtain appropriate regulated advice; advice may be mandatory.

Can I take delivery of my pension gold at retirement?

Physical delivery is not promised. Ask your administrator which benefit options the scheme allows and obtain advice on age restrictions, any sale or in-specie transfer, custody release and tax consequences before making arrangements.

Are pension gold holdings covered by FSCS or vault insurance?

FSCS eligibility depends on the failed firm and regulated activity; it does not cover normal market losses. Vault insurance is separate and subject to policy limits and exclusions. FCA, FSCS and Financial Ombudsman protections should not be assumed for every SSAS, bullion purchase or custody service.