↑Part of: SSAS pension

SSAS pensions simplified

A plain-English guide to Small Self-Administered Schemes for company directors. What a SSAS pension is, who can have one, what you can invest in, and why it is more powerful than a SIPP for UK directors who own a limited company.

Reviewed June 2026 · 6 minute read

What is a SSAS Pension?

  • Director-only pension with full investment control and pension tax benefits.
  • Powerful tool for business funding, property investment, and succession planning.
  • Designed for tax efficiency, flexibility, and long-term wealth control.

A strategic pension for directors and business owners

A Small Self-Administered Scheme pension (SSAS) is a pension scheme, exclusively for company directors. It is a unique and flexible property and occupational pension scheme, specifically created under legislation for company directors in the UK. If you set up a SSAS pension, you have full access to every type of investment available to SSAS investors according to the rules set out by HMRC. A SSAS fund benefits from all the same tax relief and advantages as a traditional personal pension, such as a tax-free lump sum of 25% at age 55, new contributions of up to £60,000 a year and flexible drawdown.

There are several different investment options available when using a SSAS, but for business owners, this type of pension scheme is also beneficial for investing in commercial property or raising funds for any other aspect of running a company. For family businesses, the SSAS offers great benefits for tax efficiency, succession planning, and business continuity.

The ability to loan to the company using the SSAS loanback facility is especially useful when looking for business funding, cashflow or tax efficiency for the business.

If you are a UK company director looking for an efficient and flexible occupational pension scheme, look no further than a SSAS pension.

A SSAS is a good idea for those looking to build a legacy, grow their business, save tax, protect wealth, invest and diversify their pension funds and generally take control, with ultimate flexibility.

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Tax Relief on Contributions

Contributions to the SSAS also receive tax relief (provided some conditions are met). This makes it a powerful tool for reducing your tax liability while building retirement wealth

Key Benefits

 
  • Invest in property
  • No upfront fees
  • Investment returns
  • Loan to company
  • Consolidate pensions
  • Reduce pension charges
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FAQs

SSAS frequently asked questions

SSAS stands for Small Self-Administered Scheme. It is an occupational pension scheme for company directors that gives members full control over how pension funds are invested. Unlike a SIPP or workplace pension, a SSAS can invest in commercial property, lend to the sponsoring company, and pool funds between up to 11 members.

Contributions can be paid as a lump sum or regular amounts. Employer contributions can also be made — these are not subject to the annual allowance in the same way as personal contributions, and they attract Corporation Tax relief for the company. Total contributions must stay within the annual allowance of £60,000 per year (or 100% of relevant UK earnings, whichever is lower).

Yes. Consolidating existing personal pensions, workplace pensions, and frozen pension pots into one SSAS increases the total fund available for investment, reduces the number of sets of charges, and makes monitoring simpler. TLPI manage the transfer process including HMRC registration and trustee documentation.

Family members and other nominated dependants can access the funds. The simplest option is a lump sum paid to a nominated beneficiary — lump sums are typically free of inheritance tax, income tax, and pension tax, making the SSAS an effective estate planning tool. Specific rules apply depending on your age at death and whether you had started drawing funds.

Get your SSAS questions answered

A free, no-obligation call with a SSAS specialist. We will walk you through how a SSAS works and whether it is the right pension structure for your business.

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