Gold has long stood as a pillar of financial resilience. It’s rightly been valued across centuries, borders and civilisations. As modern investors look beyond volatile stock markets and underperforming funds, physical gold is re-emerging as a vital retirement asset. For those asking how to diversify their pension holdings, gold-backed pensions offer both security and tax efficiency.
Unlike conventional pension schemes, which rely heavily on equities, pension gold can preserve wealth through inflationary periods and market uncertainty. Read on to learn more about the role of gold as an investment as part of a wider retirement strategy.
We’re able to collaborate with any pension gold provider and can arrange secure delivery to vaults both in the UK and internationally.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Pension Gold
Pension gold can be held within UK-regulated pensions, such as SIPPs or SSAS. We work with a number of pension providers who allow physical gold to be included as part of a retirement portfolio. If you are exploring pension gold as an option, our team is here to help make the process smooth and straightforward.
Step 1: Making the Initial Connection
If you are considering holding pension gold, your SIPP or SSAS provider can get in touch with us directly to confirm compatibility. We regularly work with a variety of providers, and in many cases everything can be arranged quickly. If needed, we can also assist you with these next steps.
Step 2: Provider Approval
At this stage, your selected pension provider may carry out a few standard checks. This can include confirming your identity and ensuring pension gold is a suitable option for your investment goals. These are routine steps to meet regulatory standards and ensure everything is in place.
Step 3: Completing the Application
Once the provider is on board, we will supply the relevant pension gold application form. Fill out the left hand side of the form and it will then be forwarded to the pension provider you have selected for countersignature.
Step 4: Managing Your Pension Gold
Once your account is approved and funded, your pension gold will be allocated and securely stored. You will have access to printed valuations and summaries as and when you require them.
Pension Gold Benefits
Capital Gains Free
VAT Exempt
Corporation Tax Relief
Inheritance Tax Protection
Legacy Planning Benefits
Comparing Pension Gold with Traditional Funds
Imagine you invested £100,000 five years ago. Based on the most recent five-year performance figures, here is what your pension could be worth today and what has influenced the results:
| Pension Option | Updated Growth Rate | Value of £100,000 in 5 Years | Total Gain |
| Nest Lower Growth Fund | 1.9 percent per year | £109,900 | £9,900 |
| Scottish Widows Cautious Managed Pension | 3.1 percent per year | £116,500 | £16,500 |
| Aviva Insured Funds Deposit S14 | 2.3 percent per year | £112,000 | £12,000 |
| Standard Life 7IM Moderately Cautious Plan | 0.9 percent per year | £104,500 | £4,500 |
| Gold-backed pension | 10 percent per year | £161,050 | £61,050 |
Why Pension Gold Belongs in a Modern Retirement Strategy
Gold has consistently outperformed many traditional pension assets in times of financial uncertainty. While equities and managed funds can fluctuate sharply, gold often retains its value and often increases when markets falter. The global financial crisis and inflationary cycles of recent decades have demonstrated pension gold’s role as a hedge against systemic risk.
Additionally, pension gold also remains free from counterparty risk. Unlike paper assets, it cannot default or be digitally erased. For high-net-worth individuals prioritising long-term capital preservation, pension gold provides certainty in an uncertain financial world.
SIPP Pension Gold: What You Need to Know
A Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) gives individuals the ability to take full control of how their retirement savings are invested. Since 2006, physical gold bullion has been approved by the UK Treasury as an eligible asset within this structure, provided it meets the correct standards. To qualify, only fully allocated gold bars can be included, and these must be stored in a secure, segregated facility.
Holding pension gold through a SIPP allows investors to diversify beyond traditional paper-based assets. Gold’s long-term value and global recognition make it a popular choice for those looking to introduce more resilience into their pension strategy.
At Gold Bullion Partners, we help clients add physical gold to their pensions through HMRC-registered providers. We take care of the paperwork, assist with setup, and arrange secure storage. Legal ownership of the gold remains with the client throughout, giving full visibility and peace of mind.
Pension Gold Tax Benefits
Pension gold offers a number of tax advantages that make it a popular choice for long-term retirement planning. When held within a qualifying SIPP or SSAS, it can be added in a way that maximises current HMRC allowances while helping preserve your wealth.
Depending on your individual tax position, contributions towards pension gold may be eligible for income tax relief. This can be worth up to 45 percent of the amount invested, subject to your personal allowance and contribution limits. At present, the maximum annual contribution allowance is £60,000, although this may vary depending on income.
Any growth in value from pension gold is free from Capital Gains Tax when held inside a pension. In addition, investment gold purchased through a qualifying pension scheme is VAT free, making it an efficient way to hold physical assets over the long term.
SSAS Pension Gold: The Corporate Advantage
Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSAS) are often used by directors of limited companies and family-run businesses. Unlike personal pensions, SSAS arrangements allow greater flexibility in asset management, including physical gold investments.
Contributions to a SSAS pension can be offset against corporation tax, offering immediate financial relief for businesses. Gold held in a SSAS pension enjoys the same tax benefits as in a SIPP: VAT exemption, capital gains tax-free growth, and favourable inheritance treatment. For high-earning business owners, SSAS pension gold can be a sophisticated way to shield retirement savings from market volatility and inflation.
Which Pension Gold Products Are Eligible?
Pension gold must meet specific criteria, and the most common format is investment-grade gold bullion bars. These bars are individually allocated, securely segregated, and subject to annual independent audits.
But choosing the right provider matters. Here’s why clients trust us to deliver excellence when investing in gold through their SSAS pension.
Uniquely Personal
Every SSAS client is guided by a dedicated account manager, ensuring tailored support and clarity when investing in gold for retirement.
Voice Execution
Our Trading Desk secures gold bars through institutional channels, allowing clients to add HMRC-compliant gold to their SSAS with confidence.
Buy-back Guarantee
Our in-house buy-back option gives clients flexible exit opportunities without the need to sell through public markets – a crucial advantage for pension holdings.
Market Insight
We provide real-time price tracking and strategic updates, helping SSAS clients time their gold acquisitions for maximum pension performance.
Secure Storage
Gold is allocated, insured, and stored in Brink’s vaults in London or Zurich, meeting HMRC rules for pension eligibility while protecting your assets.
The Logistics of Holding Gold in a Pension
Pension gold should be stored in professionally managed, fully insured LBMA vaults. Clients never take physical possession (which would disqualify the gold under HMRC rules), but instead receive title to specific bars. This is known as allocated storage.
Our London vaulting facility is ideal for pension gold. It is discreet, secure, and purpose-built for long-term holdings. Investors can receive regular statements verifying bar numbers, purity, and storage status. We coordinate directly with gold SIPP providers or SSAS administrators to manage delivery, documentation, and compliance. Once the gold is vaulted, its value remains easily traceable and eligible for future buy-back, transfer, or liquidation.
Should a client wish to convert holdings into other bullion assets or sell when markets are favourable, we facilitate this discreetly through our in-house buy-back service. There is no need to list assets publicly or sell via auctions.
Why Gold Bars Are the Preferred Option for Pensions
HMRC permits only specific forms of physical gold in SIPPs and SSAS pensions. We’ll come to what those terms mean for pensions. For now, what you need to know is that gold bars, particularly those refined to LBMA standards with a purity of at least 99.5%, are currently the only form of physical bullion eligible as pension gold. This makes gold bars the preferred vehicle for tax-efficient pension inclusion.
Bars also offer economies of scale. Compared to coins, they tend to offer lower premiums over spot price, making them more suitable for bulk investment. For gold-based pension portfolios exceeding £10,000, bars provide an efficient balance of value and security.
Smaller Bars
Manufacturer: Assorted LBMA Refiners
5 gram – (0.1607 ounce, length 22mm, width 13mm, depth 0.9mm)
Manufacturer: Assorted LBMA Refiners
10 gram – (0.3215 ounce, length 31mm, width, 18mm, depth 1mm)
Manufacturer: Assorted LBMA Refiners
20 gram – (0.6430 ounce, length 39mm, width, 22mm, depth 1.3mm)
Larger Bars
Manufacturer: Assorted LBMA Refiners
100 gram (3.215 ounce, Length 55mm, Width 31mm, Depth 3mm)
Manufacturer: Assorted LBMA Refiners
250 gram (8.0377 ounce, Length 55mm, Width 25mm, Depth 10mm)
Manufacturer: Assorted LBMA Refiners
500 gram – (16.075 ounce, Length 65mm, Width 32mm, Depth 14mm)
Begin Your Pension Gold Strategy Today
Whether you’re restructuring your retirement portfolio or starting fresh, Gold Bullion Partners can help you add gold to your pension with confidence. From selecting the right SIPP or SSAS provider to sourcing LBMA-certified bullion, our team handles the process end-to-end. Our bespoke service ensures privacy, compliance, and long-term support for your wealth protection goals.
- HMRC-approved pension gold – We assist clients in adding LBMA-certified gold bars to their pensions via approved SIPP and SSAS providers.
- Full legal ownership & secure vaulting – Gold is stored in insured London LBMA vaults, with clients receiving direct title to specific bars.
- Tax-efficient investment – Pension gold is VAT-free and exempt from capital gains tax when held in a compliant pension structure.
- In-house buy-back service – We offer discreet liquidation or conversion without auctions, ensuring flexibility and privacy.
Pension Gold FAQs
What Type of Gold Can I Hold in a Pension?
Only physical gold bars are allowed in a pension such as a SIPP or SSAS. To qualify, the bars must be investment-grade with a minimum purity of 99.5 percent and fully allocated to the pension holder. They also need to be stored securely in an approved vault.
Gold coins, jewellery, and unallocated gold are not eligible for inclusion. To ensure compliance with HMRC rules, it’s important to buy through a provider that understands the specific requirements for pension gold.
What is a SIPP Pension?
A SIPP, or Self-Invested Personal Pension, is a type of UK government-approved pension that gives you greater control over how your retirement savings are invested. Unlike standard workplace pensions that limit your options to a set list of funds, a SIPP allows you to choose from a wider range of assets, including stocks, bonds, commercial property, and certain physical commodities.
Pension gold can be included in a SIPP, provided it meets HMRC’s criteria. Only investment-grade, fully allocated gold bars are eligible, and they must be stored in an approved, secure vault. Many people choose to hold pension gold in a SIPP as a way of diversifying their retirement portfolio with a tangible asset that can help protect against inflation or market volatility.
What is a SSAS Pension?
A SSAS, or Small Self-Administered Scheme, is a type of workplace pension usually set up by company directors or business owners for themselves and selected employees. It offers a high level of control and flexibility, allowing members to choose from a wide range of investments to grow their retirement savings.
Unlike personal pensions or SIPPs, a SSAS is typically managed by a small group of trustees who also act as members. This structure allows for collective decision-making and, in some cases, the ability to loan funds back to the sponsoring business under specific conditions.
SSAS pensions can include pension gold, provided the gold is held in the form of investment-grade, allocated bullion bars that meet HMRC criteria. This gives members the option to diversify their pension with a tangible asset that can help protect long-term value.
Who owns the gold in my pension?
Legally, the gold in your pension is owned by the pension scheme itself. This applies to all assets held in a pension, not just gold. Whether you invest in shares, property, or pension gold, everything is held in the name of the scheme rather than in your personal name. This structure is required by HMRC and is standard across all registered pensions.
However, even though you are not the legal owner, you are the beneficial owner. This means the gold is bought specifically for your pension and is held entirely on your behalf. The bars are fully allocated, which means specific gold bars are set aside for your pension only. These are securely stored, clearly identifiable, and never mixed with other investors’ assets. While you cannot take delivery of the gold while it remains in your pension, you benefit fully from any change in its value as part of your retirement savings.
Is Silver Allowed in a SIPP or SSAS?
No, silver cannot be held in a SIPP or SSAS in the same way as pension gold. HMRC only permits investment-grade physical gold to be included in UK-registered pensions. Other precious metals, such as silver, platinum, and palladium, are not eligible for tax-advantaged pension investment.
This means that only gold bars meeting specific purity and storage standards can be used within a pension. If you are looking to add a precious metal to your SIPP or SSAS, pension gold is currently the only option that qualifies under HMRC rules.
What Size Gold Bars Can I Hold As Pension Gold?
At Gold Bullion Partners, we offer a selection of approved bar sizes that qualify as pension gold under HMRC guidelines. Each gold bar is investment-grade with a minimum purity of 99.5 percent, fully allocated to your pension, and securely stored in an approved vault.
The following bar sizes are available to hold as pension gold within a SIPP or SSAS:
- 5 gram – 22mm x 13mm x 0.9mm
- 10 gram – 31mm x 18mm x 1mm
- 20 gram – 39mm x 22mm x 1.3mm
- 100 gram – 55mm x 31mm x 3mm
- 250 gram – 55mm x 25mm x 10mm
- 500 gram – 65mm x 32mm x 14mm
All bars meet the strict standards required for pension gold and are stored under secure, segregated arrangements. Whether you are making a small initial allocation or building a larger position over time, our team can help you choose the right bar sizes for your pension.
Are Storage Costs Involved With Pension Gold?
Yes, holding pension gold in a SIPP or SSAS involves a storage fee. This covers secure, insured vaulting of your allocated gold bars. The fee must be paid using funds from within the pension itself, usually through the SIPP or SSAS’s designated bank account.
To keep everything running smoothly, it’s a good idea to leave a small cash reserve in your pension. This ensures storage charges can be settled easily without needing to adjust your pension gold holdings. Fees are typically charged annually and help maintain the safety, compliance, and integrity of your investment.
