How do I access my SIPP if i'm suffering serious ill health?
A Serious Ill Health Lump Sum is a way of taking your whole SIPP as one payment if a doctor confirms you’re expected to live for less than 12 months.
We know this may be a very difficult time and we hope to make things as simple and straightforward as possible.
To start the process, please either call us on 03455 432 600 or email us at benefits@ajbell.co.uk, to let us know you want to access your money, and we’ll guide you.
Serious ill health declaration form
You’ll need to download and fill out a declaration form.
The form is split into two parts.
- Part 1 – This is your section to fill in
- Part 2 – This needs to be completed by your doctor, confirming your life expectancy is less than one year
Once completed, you can return your form as a scanned PDF, by post, or clear photos via email to benefits@ajbell.co.uk. We’ll then give you a quick call to verify everything with you.
What happens next?
After your declaration is approved, we’ll send you a Serious Ill Health Payment Form to fill in and send back. You can return it to us the same way you sent the previous form.
We’ll email you to confirm we’ve received the form within two working days.
When will the payment be made?
Once we have all the information needed, and your SIPP funds are moved into cash, payment is usually made within 5–10 working days.
We’ll email you the full details of the payment to confirm it has gone through.
Why do my SIPP funds need to be in cash?
Serious Ill Health Lump Sums can only be paid as cash. This means you’ll need to sell any investments first. If you need help, please call us and we can support you through doing this.
Will the payment be tax‑free?
It depends on your age, if you’ve accessed (crystallised) your pension, and if you're within the Lump Sum and Death Benefit Allowance (LSDBA).
- Uncrystallised under 75: Tax‑free if within LSDBA
- Uncrystallised over 75: Taxable
- Crystallised (any age): Taxable income
If you’re feeling overwhelmed
We understand this can be a difficult time. Our team is here to support you every step of the way. You can contact us any time by calling 03455 432 600 or emailing us at benefits@ajbell.co.uk.