I’d buy cheap UK shares in a SIPP today to retire on a growing passive income

Andy Ross argues cheap UK shares offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to grow a passive income that can increase year-on-year.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Any investor can, in my opinion, invest within a Self-Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) and create a very valuable stream of passive income. One way to do this is by buying cheap UK shares. I suggest doing this within a SIPP because the government contributes money towards helping you reach your goals, so it’ll happen quicker. The amount the government provides depends on what rate of tax you pay.

Despite many shares recovering since the stock market crash earlier this year, there are still many cheap UK shares for investors. Concerns over Brexit and the FTSE 100’s reliance on older industries like banking and oil explain why UK shares are cheap. Especially versus, for example, US shares. Here I pick two cheap UK shares I’d potentially buy.

No 1 UK cheap share

BAE Systems (LSE: BA) will remain a reliable dividend payer well into the future. This is why it makes an ideal SIPP investment for creating passive income. The defence group is well established with governments around the world and has opportunities to expand further into selling digital and cyber capabilities. With a UK Defence Review coming up this is likely to become all the more important in the future.

The shares have a P/E below 12, which indicates they are good value. At the same time, the dividend yield is a decent 4.4% which can help produce income. I think the shares will grow in value over the coming years as well as produce reliable income. Even in a challenging economy like the one we’ve seen this year.

No 2 UK cheap share

Shares in asset manager and insurer Legal & General (LSE: LGEN) have been hit hard this year. The share price is down over 40% in 2020. This is more to do with concerns over the economy and Legal & General’s involvement in the finance industry rather than anything fundamentally wrong with the company.

I think this has made the share too cheap to ignore on a P/E of below seven. The shares are also attractive from an income perspective providing a yield of over 9%. This has risen as the share price has fallen. Typically, before the pandemic, the yield was nearer 6%.

Again, I think the dividend will be saved by management which resisted pressure from UK regulators to cut the payout to shareholders in response to Covid-19.

There are also opportunities to keep growing the business. It was an early adopter of passive funds which have grown in popularity. It also does a lot of work with annuities and pensions, a growing market both in the UK and the US.

I have a lot of confidence the business is well run, cheap and can provide investors with a passive income that will grow and be secure. For these reasons, I’d happily add it to my SIPP and watch the money roll in year after year.

Andy Ross owns shares in Legal & General. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Night Takeoff Of The American Space Shuttle
Investing Articles

Is now a great time to start aiming for a £1m Stocks and Shares ISA?

James Beard reckons a seven-figure Stocks and Shares ISA is within reach. But he advises not to hang about for…

Read more »

Business man pointing at 'Sell' sign
Investing Articles

Why are investors betting against Greggs shares?

Hedge funds and institutions are betting against Greggs shares in a big way. But could that be creating a buying…

Read more »

Man putting his card into an ATM machine while his son sits in a stroller beside him.
Investing Articles

At 100p, is now a good time to consider buying Lloyds shares?

With Lloyds shares changing hands for 12% less than in February, James Beard considers whether they are now (10 April)…

Read more »

Black woman using smartphone at home, watching stock charts.
Investing Articles

Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime S&P 500 buying opportunity

Could SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic joining the stock market create a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy the S&P 500’s biggest and…

Read more »

Woman riding her old fashioned bicycle along the Beach Esplanade at Aberdeen, Scotland.
Investing Articles

An 8.4% yield! A dividend growth stock to consider stashing in a SIPP for decades?

James Beard takes a closer look at a stock that’s increased its dividend during 17 of the past 20 years.…

Read more »

Front view of aircraft in flight.
Investing Articles

Get ready for Rolls-Royce shares’ next move higher

Rolls-Royce shares have pulled back in 2026 amid geopolitical instability. Could we be about to see another explosive move higher?

Read more »

Storytelling image of a multiethnic senior couple in love - Elderly married couple dating outdoors, love emotions and feelings
Investing Articles

No savings at 40? Here’s how to target a £2,320 monthly passive income in retirement

It’s never too late to save for retirement. In fact, someone starting in their 40s could still aim for a…

Read more »

Smiling young man sitting in cafe and checking messages, with his laptop in front of him.
Investing Articles

This penny stock could be one of the best defence plays on the AIM

Dr James Fox takes a look at a penny stock that's just crossed the £50m market-cap milestone. He believes it…

Read more »