SIPPs: How to put gold into your pension using BullionVault

Gold SIPP introduction*

Buy gold bullion in a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) and, depending on your circumstances, the UK Government will pay up to 45% of the cost of your gold. Plus, any gains will be free of Capital Gains Tax (CGT). This page explains what you need to know, and introduces you to SIPP managers who can help you start your own Gold SIPP.

United States investors can hold gold, silver, platinum & palladium in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) using BullionVault.

Gold investing in a SIPP

Advantages

  • The big advantage is an income tax rebate paid to you this year by HMRC, when you fill in your tax return. It can be up to 45% of the cost of your gold.
  • The second big advantage is that your gold accumulates free of CGT. The normal rate is 24% of your gain over and above your personal allowance (£3,000 in the 2025/26 financial year).

Important to know

  • You will not own your gold directly, your pension fund will.
  • The pension fund will introduce some admin fees, although they are usually very small.
  • You will probably pay some income tax when you draw down your pension upon retirement. For most retirees their income tax rate on retirement is paid at a lower rate, because their retirement income is less than their working income.

Getting started

All BullionVault gold meets the criteria for SIPP investments. We supply more gold to SIPPs and directly to retail investors than any other provider. And we are widely recognised as the safe, low-cost way to buy and hold gold.

SIPP administrators are FCA-regulated financial businesses independent of BullionVault. Many require applicants to appoint an independent financial adviser. Even if not mandatory, we would recommend you take FCA-regulated financial advice when considering if a SIPP is right for you.

Some SIPP providers that allow clients to invest through BullionVault include:

Require a financial advisor

Allow self-directed investments

You can also approach your existing SIPP provider or another one not in this list. We do not recommend one provider over another, and suggest you or your financial advisor confirm directly which services they offer.

SIPP products vary widely. Differences may include fees, minimum investment requirements and whether a fund can be gold-only rather than diversified. You can hold more than one SIPP within the annual contribution limits, so even if your current provider does not permit gold, you can open an additional SIPP with one that does.

What to expect

After completing the required forms to open your SIPP, the SIPP administrator will usually open a BullionVault account on your behalf. They will also give you instructions on how to send funds to them. The SIPP administrator then transfers funds to the BullionVault account ready to buy gold. The administrator may buy (and sell) gold on your instruction. Or they may expect you to buy and sell yourself. When you first contact the SIPP administrator, you should confirm which steps they expect you to complete and which they will take responsibility for.

Small Self-Administered Scheme (SSAS)

A SSAS is an occupational pension scheme often used by company directors on behalf of specific employees. They are most commonly used by private or family-run limited companies. Investment-grade gold bullion, as available on BullionVault, is a permitted asset in a SSAS.

A SSAS is often managed by a scheme administrator or scheme practitioner. If you are considering a SSAS, you should discuss the benefits (including how it may differ from a SIPP) with a qualified advisor.

Some of the SIPP providers listed above may also act as SSAS practitioners.

* This information is available to you to help your understanding of utilising “Investment Gold” in SIPPs, but please be advised that BullionVault is not authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) nor by the Financial Conduct Authority, and as such cannot offer advice on the merits of entering into any SIPP transaction, nor can we endorse or recommend any particular SIPP administrator and accept responsibility for the services they provide. When providing our BullionVault services we will assume that you have decided to enter into any such SIPP transactions solely on the basis of your own evaluation of the same and any advice which you may receive from a professional financial advisor authorised under FSMA.

The information presented here is not intended to constitute legal or tax advice and should not be relied upon in lieu of consultation with your legal or tax advisor.