ICAEW.com works better with JavaScript enabled.
Exclusive

TECHNICAL ADVISORY SERVICES HELPSHEET

SSAS pension schemes

Helpsheets and support

Published: 10 Jul 2018 Reviewed: 01 May 2023 Update History

Exclusive content
Access to our exclusive resources is for specific groups of students, users, subscribers and members.
Technical helpsheet issued to help members determine which accounting standard should be used when preparing the accounts of a SSAS pension scheme.

Introduction

This helpsheet has been issued by ICAEW’s Technical Advisory Service to help ICAEW members determine which accounting standard should be used when preparing the accounts of a small self-administered pension scheme (SSAS pension scheme) and whether they need to be audited.

Small self-administered pension schemes

When determining whether a SSAS pension scheme needs to prepare accounts under FRS 102 (or UK-adopted IFRS if preferred), members should refer to the following flowchart.

Flowchart - which accounting standard to use for sole SSAS pension schemes

Exemption from producing audited accounts

Regulations 3(1)(a) to (o) of The Occupational Pension Schemes (Scheme Administration) Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/1715) contain a number of exemptions from the requirement to produce audited accounts. The most common exemption relevant for SSAS pension schemes is detailed in Regulation 3(1)(h), which states that a pension scheme is exempt from producing audited accounts if all of the following criteria are met:

  • the scheme must have less than 12 members; and
  • all members must be trustees; and either
    - the provisions of the scheme provide that all decisions which fall to be made by the trustees are made by unanimous agreement by the trustees who are members of the scheme; or
    - the scheme has a trustee who is independent in relation to the scheme for the purposes of section 23 of the 1995 Act (power to appoint independent trustees), and is registered in the register maintained by the Authority in accordance with regulations made under subsection (4) of that section.

The other exemptions from the requirement to produce audited accounts as detailed in Regulation 3(1) are as follows:

(a) a scheme which is-
(i) provided for, or by, or under an enactment (including a local Act); and
(ii) guaranteed by a Minister of the Crown or other public authority;
(b) [revoked];
(c) an occupational pension scheme which provides relevant benefits and which on or after 6th April 2006 is not a registered scheme;
(d) [revoked];
(e) unfunded occupational pension schemes;
(f) occupational pension schemes with less than 2 members;
(g) [revoked];
(h) [see above];
(hh) [revoked];
(i) Occupational pension schemes with a superannuation fund such as is mentioned in section 615(6) of the Taxes Act;
(j) [revoked];
(k) [revoked];
(l) [revoked];
(m) the AWE Pension Scheme established by a deed made on 29th March 1993;
(n) [revoked]; and
(o) the Babcock Naval Services Pension Scheme, established by a deed made on 29th August 2002.

If in doubt seek advice

Fusce rutrum risus non tempor porta. Vestibulum eget lorem at metus accumsan ornare a in tellus. Curabitur quam est, viverra vitae eros et, tempus rutrum tellus.

Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Pellentesque sodales velit vel arcu tempor, ut blandit lacus tempus. Phasellus tempus vehicula neque, in iaculis quam sollicitudin nec. 
Terms and conditions

© ICAEW 2024  All rights reserved.

ICAEW cannot accept responsibility for any person acting or refraining to act as a result of any material contained in this helpsheet. This helpsheet is designed to alert members to an important issue of general application. It is not intended to be a definitive statement covering all aspects but is a brief comment on a specific point.

ICAEW members have permission to use and reproduce this helpsheet on the following conditions:

  • This permission is strictly limited to ICAEW members only who are using the helpsheet for guidance only.
  • The helpsheet is to be reproduced for personal, non-commercial use only and is not for re-distribution.

For further details members are invited to telephone the Technical Advisory Service T +44 (0)1908 248250. The Technical Advisory Service comprises the technical enquiries, ethics advice, anti-money laundering and fraud helplines. For further details visit icaew.com/tas.

Download this helpsheet

PDF (168kb)

Access a PDF version of this helpsheet to print or save.

Download
Changelog Anchor
  • Update History
    01 Nov 2018 (12: 00 AM GMT)
    First published
    28 Mar 2024 (12: 00 AM GMT)
    Changelog created. Converted to new template. Links updated. Helpsheet has not had a full review
Open AddCPD icon

Add Verified CPD Activity

Introducing AddCPD, a new way to record your CPD activities!

Log in to start using the AddCPD tool. Available only to ICAEW members.

Add this page to your CPD activity

Step 1 of 3
Download recorded
Download not recorded

Please download the related document if you wish to add this activity to your record

What time are you claiming for this activity?
Mandatory fields

Add this page to your CPD activity

Step 2 of 3
Mandatory field

Add activity to my record

Step 3 of 3
Mandatory field

Activity added

An error has occurred
Please try again

If the problem persists please contact our helpline on +44 (0)1908 248 250