Considering the FSCS only pays compensation up to £85k in the event of a SIPP provider going bust, should I be spreading my pensions across different providers even if I predominantly invest in stock and shares, and not cash?
I understand as the money is invested in funds, the provider going bust should mean the underlying funds are safe?
I haven't checked all of them, but I'm pretty sure all UK SIPP providers will hold (uninvested) client money in trust, or at least in segregated accounts. Here are some examples:
All client money is held by us on trust and is segregated from our own funds in accordance with the FCA’s client money rules and guidance so that any creditors of Hargreaves Lansdown would have no legal right to it and we cannot use any of this money to cover Hargreaves Lansdown's obligations.
Any money (cash) held in your account is treated as ‘client money’ as defined by the FCA. This means your money also has trust status, and is deposited across a range of bank accounts specially designated as holding client money. At no point does your cash enter an ii bank account.
(interestingly doesn't use the phrase "in trust")
Investment firms such as Fidelity are very different from banks because we are required to separate client money and assets from our own resources. We are not permitted to use client money and assets in the course of our own business activities, and your money would be ring-fenced in the unlikely event that we became insolvent.
In general a site-specific search for the term fscs will get you to a provider's 'reassurance' page(s).
