Xafinity SIPP and SSAS Services, part of the XPS Pensions Group, has reported an increased level of activity in commercial property transactions in 2018.

Commercial property transaction highlights included 183 commercial property/land purchases/transfers-in completed in 2018, the value of these SIPP/SSAS purchase transactions was nearly £50m, 75 commercial property/land sales were completed this year and the value of these SIPP/SSAS sale transactions was £36m.

Wider SIPP/SSAS client highlights at the end of 2018 included:

• Total assets under administration for SIPP/SSAS clients now exceeds £2bn

• Commercial property assets under administration now valued at over £700m

• Over 1,900 commercial properties/land under administration

• Over 1,100 different financial advisers have SIPP/SSAS clients with Xafinity

Jeff Steedman, head of business development for SIPP/SSAS at Xafinity, said: “Commercial property remains at the heart of the full SIPP market and it’s what Xafinity do best. 

“We are pleased to see financial advisers and their clients continuing to trust Xafinity to buy, lease and sell their commercial properties under SIPPs and SSAS.
 
“Directors of SMEs have continued to use new employer contributions during 2018 to add to their existing pension plans in order to buy their commercial premises. 

“Buying property with their pension remains an excellent tax efficient way to grow pension funds for retirement.  

“The rental income alone can provide great fund growth and any increases in the capital value of the property are free from Capital Gains Tax.
 
“That said the value of owning business premises in your SIPP or SSAS is still not widely understood. 

“I’m always delighted to talk advisers through any aspect of this investment to give them the confidence to engage with clients about the excellent tax saving opportunities.
 
“We have a strong pipeline of over 100 property purchase transactions underway for clients so we’re pushing towards 2,000 properties, a real milestone for Xafinity who have been building expertise in this space for 40 years.”