Pension led funding
Pension Led Funding (PLF) is a financial services product offered in the United Kingdom (UK) that raises funds for businesses based upon the use of
Various corporate structures are eligible for this type of finance, including
The two main sources of funds for PLF are Member-Directed Registered Pension Schemes, i.e. Self-Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP’s) and Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSAS’s). The schemes are typically devised by suitably-qualified and authorised financial advisers and implemented by experienced pension scheme administrators. Other professionals (i.e. chartered surveyors, solicitors and valuation specialists) may also be indirectly involved in the process.
Claimed benefits
The benefits of PLF claimed by providers
Assessment of appropriateness
Financial and taxation regulations require that a PLF programme must benefit the owner(s) of the pension scheme.
The due diligence process includes detailed assessment of the following:
- Company accounts
- Track record
- Business Plan
- Projections for the individual business and the business sector in which it operates
- Motivations and future plans of the business owner(s)/director(s)
- The existing pensions of the business owner(s)/director(s)
Risks
Like any form of investment, PLF is not without risk.
Regulatory risk
Ensuring that the process is compliant with relevant financial and taxation regulations is an important and complex consideration. Those seeking to implement a PLF programme can reduce the risk of failure to comply with regulations by engaging the services of suitably experienced and qualified financial professionals to set up the PLF arrangement.
The legislation governing the self-investment of accrued pension funds is complicated. Most of the current rules and regulations came into effect on 6 April 2006,[8] although there have been some amendments and developments since that time.
The sanctions imposed in the event of non-compliance and/or misconduct (whether due to oversight or malpractice) can be severe.[9][10][11] Working with Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)-regulated advisers and pension administrators who ensure all Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) scheme registration criteria are met is, therefore, to be recommended.
Risk of default
Using some of the accrued pension benefits of an individual (or a group) to fund a single trading entity is a relatively high-risk undertaking. This is why pension funds are often placed in a spread of investments to minimise the risk of loss. Risk also comes from the degree of exposure to market vagaries and trading (mis)fortunes. It is possible to mitigate the
Skill and credibility of providers
Levels of experience and specific expertise vary significantly within the finance industry.[12] Thus anyone who is looking to engage in a PLF programme should be encouraged to research the options thoroughly, giving equal attention to assessing the credibility of practitioners.
Costs
There are typically two main costs with PLF. An advisory firm will devise a suitable strategy, having satisfied the relevant due diligence and compliance requirements. A trustee/administration company will then assume responsibility for the implementation of the project (in accordance with HMRC rules and regulations). It is standard practice for advisers and administrators to be paid separately for their respective services.
References
- ^ H M Revenue & Customs. "RPSM07300070-Scheme Administrator Pages: Investments: Can a registered pension scheme make a loan?" www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/rpsmmanual/rpsm07300070.htm Retrieved 6 September 2013
- ^ Capital Reserve (2013). 'Pension Led Funding' http://www.sterlingcapitalreserve. c o.uk/business_loans/pension-led-funding.php Retrieved 17 September 2009
- ^ Nesta/University of Cambridge - Understanding Alternative Finance - The UK Alternative Finance Industry Report 2014[1] Retrieved 9 April 2015
- ^ Cook, Lindsay (2017-02-16). "Over-50s are the new business start-up generation". Financial Times. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
- ^ Prosser, David. "How Pension-Led Funding Could Kickstart Your Business". Forbes. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
- ISSN 0956-1382. Retrieved 2018-07-19.
- ^ Burgis & Bullock Chartered Accountants (2013). 'Can I borrow money from my company pension scheme?' http://www.burgisbullo c k.com/blog/can-i-borrow-money-from-my-company-pension-scheme/ Retrieved 17 September 2009
- ^ HM Revenue & Customs. "RPSM02101010 -Technical Pages: Registering a pension scheme with HMRC: pension schemes set upon or after 6 April 2006: Schemes applying for registration from a date on or after 6 April 2006: form of application." www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/rpsmmanual/RPSM02 101010.htm Retrieved 4 September 2013
- ^ HM Revenue & Customs. "Unauthorised payments from pension pots" www.hmrc.gov.uk/pensionschemes/unauthorised-payments.htm Retrieved 5 September 2013
- ^ H M Revenue & Customs. "RPSM07109230– Technical pages: Investments: Taxable property: Direct h o lding of taxableproperty: What tax charges apply to direct holdings?" www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/rpsmmanual/RPSM07109230.htm Retrieved 6 September 2013
- ^ H M Revenue & Customs. "RPSM07400110- Employer Pages: Investments: What tax charges are there?" hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/rpsmmanual/rpsm07400110.htm Retrieved 6 September 2013
- ^ FTAdviser. "Ssas fines and tax charges on the rise, Xafinity warns" www.ftadviser.com/2013/09/04/pensions/personal-pensions/ssas-fines-and-tax-charges-on-the-rise-xafinity-warns-EMJa6tyeZD9MVcQiEyjT7I/article.html Retrieved 5 September 2013