Property investors are always looking for smart ways to fund acquisitions, developments, and projects. While most think in terms of mortgages, bridging loans, or joint venture capital, there’s another powerful source of finance hiding in plain sight – one that comes with generous tax advantages, gives you control over your money, and opens doors to strategies that many investors don’t even know exist.
It’s called a SSAS pension, and it could be the most flexible finance tool you’ll ever use.
When I present at property network meetings, I ask the audience to raise their hands if they know what a SSAS is. About a third do. Then I ask who actually has one. A few hands stay up. Finally, I ask who has ever borrowed money from someone else’s pension. That usually wakes people up.
Many assume pensions are for “later in life.” But if you’re interested in property or entrepreneurship, you should be paying attention now.
I’m Brian Harvey, and I’ve been working with SSAS pensions for years as a consultant, trainer and speaker. I first came to SSAS as a property investor, so I speak your language and understand the outcomes you’re aiming for.
Through my work at Fidelis Advisory, I’ve seen first-hand how a SSAS can transform the way people fund and grow their businesses. This is the first in a series of articles where I’ll explain how they work and the strategies that make a real impact.
SSAS stands for Small Self-Administered Scheme – an occupational pension scheme usually set up by the directors of a limited company and approved by HMRC.
Think of it as a family and business trust with special tax advantages. A SSAS can have up to 11 members – often company directors, family, or key employees – and the members act as trustees, giving them direct control over how funds are invested.
Unlike other pensions, SSAS funds aren’t locked away until retirement. They can be deployed in multiple ways that bring direct financial benefits long before you retire.
Here are some of the most powerful SSAS strategies:
Buying commercial property – hold property and collect rent, buy your own company’s premises, or develop commercial assets for residential conversion.
Lending to your company – SSAS can loan back up to 50% of its value, secured against assets, for any valid business purpose.
Joint ventures – partner with your company, other investors, or other SSAS schemes to fund larger projects.
Pooling family wealth – with up to 11 members, families can combine pensions into a single war chest for strategic use.
Third-party lending – provide secured funds to other investors and generate returns for your scheme.
Alternative investments – from trading companies to unlisted shares and even gold.
Every SSAS strategy depends on factors like:
Age and pension accessibility
Objectives (growing the fund, your business, or both)
Your experience and time commitment
Appetite for projects versus need for passive investments
Getting this right is key – and it’s why SSAS is as much about strategy as structure.
Here’s a real example of SSAS in action.
A business owner set up a single-member SSAS. They transferred significant pension savings from previous employment into the scheme and added new contributions from company profits, cutting their corporation tax bill.
The SSAS then loaned 50% of its value back to the company, secured against the firm’s commercial property. The business used this money to invest and grow, repaying the loan with interest.
Once profits had increased, the SSAS bought the commercial property from the company. That released further capital into the business while securing the asset within the pension.
The results?
Pension funds that were previously locked away were redeployed for business growth.
The company gained a cash injection while the SSAS was protected by the property’s value.
The SSAS now holds a rent-producing asset that will continue generating income and capital growth.
In short: the pension worked for the business today, not just at retirement.
In future articles, we’ll dig into:
How to set up a SSAS and fund it with pension transfers and tax-efficient contributions
Loan-back strategies to your business
Commercial property and development opportunities
Creative and alternative investments
Along the way, I’ll share case studies and expert insights to show how entrepreneurs are using SSAS to fund deals, grow businesses, and build lasting wealth.
If you’re already curious about whether a SSAS could work for you, I’m always happy to have an initial chat. But even if you’re just learning, stick with this series – you may be surprised at just how much untapped power is sitting in your pensions.
Brian Harvey helps entrepreneurs use SSAS pensions to fund deals, grow businesses, and build lasting wealth.
