Tax-exempt friendly society plans
As the name suggests, the final proceeds on the maturity of Friendly Society tax-exempt plans can be taken tax-free. But because of the special tax treatment they enjoy, these schemes have strict limits on how much you can contribute. The maximum is £25 per month or £270 per year.
Unlike ISAs, for which you have to be 18 years old to invest, friendly society plans are available to children and adults alike. They also offer a number of investment options, starting from as little as £10 per month.
They are essentially savings plans but have the added benefit of a small amount of automatic life assurance protection and are designed to last a minimum of 10 years. However, early withdrawals may be subject to penalties and a potential tax bill. The premiums are normally placed in with-profits or unit-linked funds, which typically invest in a mixture of assets including shares, property and fixed interest securities.
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