What is a Stocks & Shares ISA?

Published On : 12/10/2021

ISAs are a set of account types, where each year, UK residents can set aside a limited amount of money, and whereas as long as the amounts accumulated over the years are not collected, they will yield interest that will never be taxed. The no-tax argument is the radical difference between an ISA and other types of investment, including a simple current account. There are different types of ISAs, each similar to a classic form of investment, but they generally allow greater returns.
Let’s analyze what types of ISAs exist and which is the best performing stocks and shares isa according to your needs, click https://www.moneyfarm.com/uk/isa/ for more details

Too good to be true, so why do ISAs exist?

ISAs exist for a simple reason, and that is to improve the ability of UK residents to take care of themselves when they are old. In the UK the minimum pension is really low, we are talking about £175.20 a week so many people decide to open private pension funds, private savings, protected under the ISA system in order to haveextra money aside from the state pension. 

What types of ISAs exist?

There are three main families of ISAs:

1. Cash ISAs

These are the lowest risk ISAs, they provide a fixed interest rate, however, the interest rate is generally low. It could also be argued that the risk is perhaps to achieve an interest rate below the rate of inflation. At the time of writing the interest for these ISAs is around 0.45%.

2. Stock and Shares ISA

This is a type of investment account focused on the stock market and therefore the capital invested may be at risk and returns are not guaranteed.However, the average expectation of return is generally higher. Here, one’s funds can be invested in a multitude of products.

In particular, ETF-type products, i.e.,are passive investment funds that follow the performance of an index and automatically buy and sell shares according to the market performance of the stocks that make up the index ETFs have several advantages: they offer diversification, they manage themselves and at the same time have low management rates. 

3. Special ISAs

a)Junior ISA

Junior Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs) are long-term, tax-free savings accounts for minors.
In fact, parents invest each year until the age of majority of a child, who gains ownership of the account upon reaching the age of majority.

b)Lifetime ISA (LISA)

LISA is a type of ISA focused on the purchase of a first home, or it can be accumulated for retirement and the government gives a bonus of 25% of the amount paid in (up to a maximum of £1,000 per year). It must be within the maximum ISA limit allowed for the year (£20,000 in 2020) and for the current year you can reserve up to £4,000 for this account. In this case, the government adds a 25% bonus to the deposit, so if the deposit is capped at £4,000, £5,000 will go into the account. A guaranteed profit.

c)Innovative Finance ISA

An innovative finance Isa, also called IFISA, is an Isa that contains peer-to-peer loans instead of cash or stocks and shares. Peer-to-peer lending matches up investors, who are want to lend to third parties who over time return the sums with the addition of an interest rate. The nominal interest rate of return is, on paper, between 3% and 9%, depending on the type of loan and its risk. Because yes, in this type of ISA, again, capital is at risk.

Produced in association with Moneyfarm

Wanda Rich

Wanda Rich has been the Editor-in-Chief of Global Banking & Finance Review since 2011, playing a pivotal role in shaping the publication’s content and direction. Under her leadership, the magazine has expanded its global reach and established itself as a trusted source of information and analysis across various financial sectors. She is known for conducting exclusive interviews with industry leaders and oversees the Global Banking & Finance Awards, which recognize innovation and leadership in finance. In addition to Global Banking & Finance Review, Wanda also serves as editor for numerous other platforms, including Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune.