Jasmine Birtles
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Best ETFs for a SIPP in 2026: My Top Picks as a 25-Year-Old Investor
Ruby Layram
11th May 2026
If you’re trying to build long-term wealth through a pension, choosing the best ETFs for your SIPP can make a huge difference over time.
And honestly? The sheer number of ETFs available in 2026 can feel overwhelming.
There are:
- Global ETFs
- Tech ETFs
- Dividend ETFs
- AI ETFs
- Gold ETFs
- Clean energy ETFs
…and about a million opinions online telling you what you “should” buy.
So instead of overcomplicating things, I decided to focus on a much simpler question. If I’m 25 years old and investing for retirement decades away, what ETFs actually make the most sense for long-term growth?
Because at my age, my biggest investing advantage is time.
I can afford to:
- Ride out market volatility
- Focus more heavily on growth
- Think in decades rather than months
That naturally changes the type of ETFs I want in my SIPP.
Importantly though: Someone closer to retirement may want a very different approach.
If you’re in your 50s or 60s, protecting wealth and generating income may become more important than maximising growth.
Also read: 3 best investment strategies for retirement income
But for younger investors with a long runway ahead, these are the ETFs I personally think are some of the strongest options in 2026.
1. Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (VWRP)
If I could only choose one ETF for my SIPP, this would probably be it.
Why?
Because it gives exposure to:
- Thousands of companies
- Developed and emerging markets
- The US, Europe, Asia and beyond
In simple terms, it’s basically a bet on the global economy growing over time.
And historically, that’s been a pretty good long-term investment strategy.
I like this ETF because:
- It’s highly diversified
- It’s passive and low-cost
- It’s simple to hold long term
- It automatically includes many of the world’s best-performing companies
A lot of SIPP investors use this as their “core” portfolio holding because it removes the need to constantly pick stocks or chase trends.
For someone focused on hassle-free investing, it’s hard to ignore.
Your money is at risk.
2. Vanguard S&P 500 UCITS ETF (VUAG)
I know some people think the US market is too dominant already.
But personally, I still think the S&P 500 remains one of the best long-term growth opportunities for younger investors.
This ETF gives exposure to massive companies like:
- Apple
- Microsoft
- Nvidia
- Amazon
- Meta
These businesses continue dominating areas like:
- AI
- Cloud computing
- Digital advertising
- Consumer technology
And while nothing is guaranteed, the US market has historically delivered very strong long-term returns.
As a 25-year-old investor, I’m comfortable having significant exposure to growth-heavy US stocks because I’ve got decades ahead for compounding to work.
Your money is at risk.
3. Invesco EQQQ NASDAQ-100 ETF (EQQQ)
This is definitely the more aggressive option in my portfolio.
The Nasdaq-100 is heavily focused on:
- Technology
- AI
- Semiconductors
- Innovation-led companies
This ETF can be much more volatile than a global index fund.
But that volatility is also why younger investors often like it.
The way I see it is if AI and technology continue reshaping the global economy over the next 20 years, I want exposure to that growth.
The big attraction here is long-term upside potential.
The downside? You have to be comfortable with bigger market swings.
This is not the kind of ETF you buy if market volatility keeps you awake at night.
Your money is at risk.
4. L&G Artificial Intelligence UCITS ETF (AIAI)
AI is probably the defining investment theme of the 2020s.
And while many AI stocks have already surged, I still think we’re early in the long-term adoption cycle.
This ETF focuses on companies involved in:
- Artificial intelligence
- Automation
- Robotics
- Machine learning
I personally like thematic ETFs like this as a smaller “satellite” position around a core portfolio.
In other words:
- Most of my money would stay in broad index funds
- A smaller amount goes toward higher-growth themes
Again, this is very much a long-term play.
I’m not buying this expecting overnight returns.
I’m buying it because I think AI could fundamentally reshape huge parts of the economy over the next few decades.
Your money is at risk.
5. iShares Physical Gold ETC (SGLN)
This one surprises people sometimes.
Why would a 25-year-old investor own gold?
Because diversification still matters.
Even though I’m growth-focused, I still think it makes sense to have a small allocation to assets that behave differently from stocks.
Gold can:
- Perform well during market stress
- Help reduce portfolio volatility
- Act as a hedge during inflationary periods
I wouldn’t personally go heavy on gold at my age.
But having a modest allocation can help balance a portfolio that’s otherwise heavily exposed to equities and tech stocks.
Especially in 2026, where geopolitical uncertainty and central bank gold buying remain major market themes.
Your money is at risk.
My Ideal SIPP ETF Portfolio in 2026
If I were building a simple long-term SIPP portfolio today, it would probably look something like this:
| ETF | Example Allocation |
|---|---|
| Vanguard FTSE All-World (VWRP) | 50% |
| Vanguard S&P 500 (VUAG) | 25% |
| Nasdaq-100 ETF (EQQQ) | 15% |
| AI ETF (AIAI) | 5% |
| Gold ETC (SGLN) | 5% |
For me, this gives:
- Global diversification
- Strong US growth exposure
- AI upside potential
- Some portfolio protection through gold
Most importantly: It’s simple enough to stick with long term.
Why Older Investors Might Think Differently
This is really important.
The “best ETFs for a SIPP” depend heavily on:
- Your age
- Your risk tolerance
- Your retirement timeline
At 25, I can afford to take more risk because market downturns don’t matter as much over the short term.
But someone closer to retirement may prioritise:
- Dividend income
- Lower volatility
- Capital preservation
- Bonds or defensive assets
That’s why there’s no perfect ETF portfolio for everyone.
Your SIPP strategy should reflect: Your own goals and timeline.
Final Thoughts
For me personally, the best ETFs for a SIPP in 2026 are the ones that:
- Keep costs low
- Provide strong diversification
- Focus on long-term growth
- Are simple enough to hold for decades
I’m not trying to constantly beat the market or chase every trend.
Instead, I’m focusing on:
- Consistency
- Compounding
- Long-term investing
Because realistically, that’s how many ordinary investors quietly build wealth over time.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investments can fall as well as rise in value, and you may get back less than you invest. Always do your own research before investing.
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