The end of the 2025/26 tax year is just a few days away. So, time is running out for people to make the most of their tax-free investment allowances.
For pensions, the maximum you can invest in any given tax year is £60,000 (or your income, whatever is lower), with the ability to carry forward any unused allowance from the previous three years.
Put simply, this means investors have a lot of room to play with. So, what have people been putting into their portfolios this tax year?
Get up to £5,000 when you transfer
It’s easy to transfer your existing pension to InvestEngine for fee-free investing. You could also get up to £5,000 when you do switch. ETF costs apply. The bonus is tiered and requires your investment to remain invested for at least 12 months.
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Before transferring, please review any fees, exit costs and whether your existing investments would need to be sold and reinvested into ETFs.
What are the most popular pension ETFs of the last tax year?
Here are the most popular ETFs bought in SIPPs on the InvestEngine platform between 6 April 2025 and 30 March 2026.
The list below ranks the most bought ETFs by number of net trades that are currently available to invest in on InvestEngine’s platform.
This ETF offers investors the opportunity to invest in a wide range of companies from across the globe, including both developed and emerging markets. It aims to mirror the performance of the FTSE All‑World index, providing diversified exposure to the world’s stock markets.
By investing across different countries and sectors, this ETF could help offer a lower risk way to benefit from broad global market growth.
This ETF invests in a broad range of companies across both developed and emerging markets worldwide. It includes a variety of large and mid‑sized firms from numerous sectors, such as technology, healthcare, finance, and consumer goods.
By tracking a specific index, this ETF aims to reflect the overall performance of global stock markets, encompassing companies from regions including North America, Europe, and Asia.
This ETF could help diversify a portfolio by offering exposure to global markets, including both developed and emerging economies.
This ETF aims to replicate the performance of the S&P 500 index, offering investors diversified exposure to the 500 largest companies in the United States.
This ETF could help investors get access to the US stock market, where it could benefit from the overall growth and success of these companies, without having to invest in each one individually.
This ETC provides investors with a way to invest in physical gold, by following the daily price of gold. It does this by owning gold bars.
This ETC may appeal to investors looking to include gold in their portfolio, but without the need to hold it physically.
This ETF invests in a broad selection of companies from developed markets around the world, providing exposure to a diverse range of industries and regions.
This ETF could help investors who are looking for global diversification through a single investment, allowing them to gain exposure to well‑established companies in developed economies.
This ETF invests in a wide range of large and mid‑sized companies in emerging markets across the globe.
Emerging markets are economies that are in the process of rapid growth and industrialization, often offering higher growth potential compared to developed markets. The fund provides exposure to a diverse array of industries and countries, including China, India, Brazil, and South Africa.
This ETF may appeal to investors seeking long‑term growth opportunities and are comfortable with the higher risks associated with emerging markets.
This ETF aims to achieve short term returns higher than the benchmark rate SONIA with extremely low volatility. The SONIA rate is the average interest rate banks lend money to each other overnight.
The ETF is aimed at investors looking for a lower risk investment option with the potential for a little more growth than a traditional savings account. This may explain why it’s been so popular among SIPP investors this tax year.
This ETF is designed to give investors access to a broad range of companies from across the globe, providing exposure to both developed and emerging markets.
The goal is to reflect the overall performance of the global stock market, so the value of this ETF can rise or fall depending on how these global companies perform.
This ETF includes a wide range of companies from different parts of the world. It is designed for diversified international exposure, and aimed towards those who want to invest in global economic trends without focusing on specific countries or regions.
Like some of the other funds in this list, this ETF aims to track the performance of the S&P 500 Index, which includes 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States.
For investors looking for exposure to the U.S. stock market, this ETF provides a way to invest in a wide range of sectors and companies with a single investment. It’s designed to offer potential long‑term growth by investing in large‑cap companies that are typically more stable than smaller companies.
This ETF could appeal to investors who want a simple and diversified way to invest in some of the most well‑known and influential companies in the U.S., and it is often used as a core holding in a diversified portfolio.
This ETF is a multi‑asset fund that holds a mix of different investment types rather than focusing on just stocks or just bonds. It buys other funds and financial products, including shares of companies, bonds and commodities, to create a diversified portfolio.
This ETF may appeal to an investor who wants a balanced approach in a single product, blending different types of assets with a sustainability angle and who is comfortable with the normal ups and downs of the market.
What to consider before buying an ETF
When comparing ETFs, it’s important to look beyond short-term performance.
Start with the index the ETF tracks. This tells you what you’re actually investing in. A global index, for example, spreads your money across thousands of companies worldwide. In contrast, a more focused index may be heavily weighted towards a single country or sector. Understanding this helps you see where your exposure really lies.
Costs are another key factor. ETFs are generally low cost, but even small differences in fees can have an impact over time, especially if you’re investing regularly. It’s also worth considering fund size and liquidity. Larger ETFs tend to trade more efficiently, which can reduce the cost of buying and selling.
Finally, think about how the ETF fits into your wider portfolio. Is it a core holding designed to provide broad market exposure? Or is it a more targeted investment focused on a specific theme or sector?
Getting this balance right can influence both your long-term returns and how comfortable you feel during periods of market volatility.
For more detail, it’s always worth reviewing the ETF’s factsheet and Key Investor Information Document (KIID), which outline its strategy, costs, and risks.
What are the risks of buying ETFs?
ETFs can make investing more accessible, but they still carry risk.
Markets move over time, and the value of your investments can fall as well as rise. Even well-diversified, global ETFs can experience declines during periods of uncertainty or changing economic conditions.
Some ETFs are more concentrated than others. Funds focused on a specific region, sector, or theme can see larger swings in value, both up and down. While diversification can help smooth returns, it does not remove risk entirely.
Currency is another factor to consider. If you invest in overseas markets, exchange rate movements can affect your returns, regardless of how the underlying investments perform.
The key is to invest with a clear understanding of your goals and time horizon. When you know what you own and why, short-term market movements are often easier to manage, helping you stay consistent with your approach over time.
How to buy ETFs easily with InvestEngine
InvestEngine makes it straightforward to invest in top ETFs, whether you’re building a long term portfolio or adding a few new funds for diversification.
Why use InvestEngine?
✅ No trading or platform fees
Buy and sell ETFs commission free, so more of your money stays invested and working for you (ETF costs apply).
✅ Powerful portfolio tools
Track your holdings, compare ETFs, and rebalance whenever you need all in one simple dashboard.
✅ Automate your investing
Set up a Savings Plan to invest regularly, choosing how much and how often. It’s an easy way to stay consistent and build wealth over time.
✅ Flexible account options
Invest through an ISA, SIPP, general investment account, or Business account, all with no platform fees on DIY portfolios.
With these tools, InvestEngine makes it easy to own the ETFs that have led the market in 2025 and prepare your portfolio for the opportunities ahead in 2026.
Important information
Capital at risk. The value of your investments may go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
ETF costs apply. Remember, ISA and tax rules can change and any benefits depend on individual circumstances. If in doubt, you may wish to consult a professional adviser for guidance.