IFGL International SIPP Review 2025
This article is intended for British Expats with UK pension schemes.
Below is a comprehensive and in-depth review of the IFGL Premier International SIPP.
For a more general International SIPP overview, please see our dedicated SIPP page.
Premier International SIPP Review
The Premier International SIPP (formerly known as the Sovereign International SIPP) is a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) now operated by International Financial Group Limited (IFGL). It was acquired by IFGL from the Sovereign Group in March 2023.
This SIPP is designed to provide a wide range of investment options, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and individual shares. While it can be used with any compatible investment platform, it is most cost-effective when paired with the Ardan International Wealth Platform.
The Premier International SIPP is specifically tailored for UK expatriates, offering a flexible and efficient solution to consolidate and manage UK pensions from abroad.
Who Is International Financial Group Limited (IFGL)?
International Financial Group Limited (IFGL) is a financial services company that provides investment, savings, and pension solutions to international investors. Headquartered in the Isle of Man, IFGL operates globally and is particularly focused on serving expatriates and international clients.
IFGL owns and operates several well-known financial brands, including:
Ardan International – a digital wealth platform designed for financial advisers and their clients.
RL360 – a provider of offshore savings, investment, and protection products.
Friends Provident International (FPI) – offering financial solutions tailored to expatriates.
Premier International SIPP – a self-invested personal pension aimed at UK expats.
With a strong regulatory framework and a commitment to long-term financial planning, IFGL manages billions in assets and serves tens of thousands of clients worldwide.
Investment Options & Fund Range
Through the Ardan International Wealth Platform, investors have access to over 80,000 financial instruments, including:
Mutual Funds
ETFs
Equities
Structured Notes
As part of the IFGL Group, clients benefit from institutional pricing and discounted access to thousands of investment products.
Multi-Currency Flexibility
Ardan supports investments in 11 major currencies, with the ability to:
Hold multiple currencies in a single account
Switch between currencies at competitive exchange rates
Transfer funds easily across different currency holdings
Multiple Portfolios
Clients can open and manage multiple portfolios within a single Ardan account, making it easy to:
Segregate assets by goal or strategy
Manage risk across different financial objectives
Maintain clear and organised reporting
Model Portfolios
Ardan offers access to a wide range of managed model portfolios provided by trusted Discretionary Fund Managers (DFMs) and investment firms. These solutions are ideal for clients seeking professional investment strategies without the need for day-to-day involvement.
Full Flexible Access For Expats
The Premier International SIPP is a UK pension solution that offers full flexible access, making it ideal for UK expatriates managing their retirement income from abroad.
With flexible access, you can:
Take 25% tax-free from your pension pot (typically)
Withdraw income as needed—monthly, quarterly, annually, or occasionally
Leave the rest invested, allowing potential for continued growth
Change your income amount or frequency at any time
This flexibility makes it especially useful for UK expats, who may need to manage cash flow across currencies, jurisdictions, and changing life circumstances.
Tax Benefits & Treatment
The IFGL Premier International SIPP offers a range of tax advantages comparable to other UK pension schemes, helping to ensure both tax efficiency and financial security for international investors.
Tax-Free Growth
All investments held within the SIPP grow free from UK income tax and capital gains tax. As long as your funds remain within the pension, no tax is applied to gains or investment income, allowing your retirement savings to grow more effectively over time.
Tax Free Lump Sum
Take 25% of your pension pot free of UK Tax. Note tax may be due in your new country.
UK Tax-Free Withdrawals With NT Tax Code
For UK expatriates, it's possible to withdraw pension income free of UK tax by applying for a Nil Tax (NT) Code from HMRC (subject to your country of residence having a DTA Double Taxation Agreement with the UK). This means you can access your pension funds without incurring UK income tax, assuming you're no longer UK tax resident.
Returning To The UK
Should you decide to return to the UK for retirement, the Premier International SIPP seamlessly integrates with the PAYE system (Pay As You Earn). This ensures that the appropriate UK taxes are automatically deducted from your pension income, simplifying your tax reporting obligations to HMRC.
Best International SIPP Providers For Expats
We provide fully independent, whole of market retirement advice to UK expats around the world.
We charge the same flat-fee for all UK pension transfers, regardless of the value or number of pensions in question. To learn more about how we work with our clients, see our fees here.
