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","title":"Get insights and events via email","contentType":null,"key":"692e4175-1354-401d-b727-577e966f1411","properties":null},"settings":{"purpleBlockStyle":false,"contentType":null,"key":"36e6b214-d9f8-4d4b-9eed-9a4398e4633e","properties":null},"blockType":"newsletterSignUpBlock"}],"twitterTitle":"A home for your money","twitterDescription":"An investment portfolio is a collection of investments – but how do you create a successful one?","twitterImage":null,"ogTitle":"A home for your money","ogDescription":"An investment portfolio is a collection of investments – but how do you create a successful one?","ogImage":null,"metaTitle":"Account options for investors","pageDescription":"Take steps to create a successful investment portfolio with help from Bestinvest. Explore the different account options that are available to investors.","canonicalURL":null,"hideFromSitemap":false,"pageTitle":"Lesson three","navigationTitle":"","umbracoNaviHide":false,"blockModules":[{"content":{"standardRiskWarnings":{"body":"The value of your investments and the income from them may go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invested.
\nTax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"cb98df25-73ed-4559-9947-d1b5ca6d169f","id":5289,"name":"4. Value and Tax","urlSegment":"4-value-and-tax","sortOrder":7,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5289","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-18T12:34:21Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-27T15:39:16.84Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"4. Value and Tax","urlSegment":"4-value-and-tax","date":"2024-11-18T12:34:21Z"}},"itemType":2,"parent":{"contentType":null,"key":"0ed2e80c-238d-4987-809c-90f617cb611d","id":5282,"name":"Risk Warnings","urlSegment":"risk-warnings","sortOrder":2,"level":2,"path":"-1,3039,5282","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-13T15:36:27Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-19T13:53:56.6Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"Risk Warnings","urlSegment":"risk-warnings","date":"2024-11-13T15:36:27Z"}},"itemType":2,"parent":{"contentType":null,"key":"351bc456-be72-459b-a1fe-e9bc58c76472","id":3039,"name":"Repos","urlSegment":"repos","sortOrder":3,"level":1,"path":"-1,3039","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-03-13T10:54:19Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-04-18T14:27:21.313Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"Repos","urlSegment":"repos","date":"2024-03-13T10:54:19Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[{"contentType":null,"key":"383af845-1c71-44b9-b9b1-9c8ac0264491","id":3040,"name":"Modals","urlSegment":"modals","sortOrder":0,"level":2,"path":"-1,3039,3040","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-03-13T10:54:32Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-04-18T14:27:22.157Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"Modals","urlSegment":"modals","date":"2024-03-13T10:54:32Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[{"modalWidth":500,"text":"Modal body text
","contentType":null,"key":"94cdc483-7832-491b-9450-b1b126bbb866","id":3041,"name":"First Modal","urlSegment":"first-modal","sortOrder":0,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,3040,3041","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-03-13T10:55:08Z","writerId":2,"updateDate":"2025-05-16T09:22:26.523Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"First Modal","urlSegment":"first-modal","date":"2024-03-13T10:55:08Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null}],"childrenForAllCultures":[{"modalWidth":500,"text":"Modal body text
","contentType":null,"key":"94cdc483-7832-491b-9450-b1b126bbb866","id":3041,"name":"First Modal","urlSegment":"first-modal","sortOrder":0,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,3040,3041","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-03-13T10:55:08Z","writerId":2,"updateDate":"2025-05-16T09:22:26.523Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"First Modal","urlSegment":"first-modal","date":"2024-03-13T10:55:08Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null}],"properties":null}],"childrenForAllCultures":[{"contentType":null,"key":"383af845-1c71-44b9-b9b1-9c8ac0264491","id":3040,"name":"Modals","urlSegment":"modals","sortOrder":0,"level":2,"path":"-1,3039,3040","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-03-13T10:54:32Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-04-18T14:27:22.157Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"Modals","urlSegment":"modals","date":"2024-03-13T10:54:32Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[{"modalWidth":500,"text":"Modal body text
","contentType":null,"key":"94cdc483-7832-491b-9450-b1b126bbb866","id":3041,"name":"First Modal","urlSegment":"first-modal","sortOrder":0,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,3040,3041","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-03-13T10:55:08Z","writerId":2,"updateDate":"2025-05-16T09:22:26.523Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"First Modal","urlSegment":"first-modal","date":"2024-03-13T10:55:08Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null}],"childrenForAllCultures":[{"modalWidth":500,"text":"Modal body text
","contentType":null,"key":"94cdc483-7832-491b-9450-b1b126bbb866","id":3041,"name":"First Modal","urlSegment":"first-modal","sortOrder":0,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,3040,3041","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-03-13T10:55:08Z","writerId":2,"updateDate":"2025-05-16T09:22:26.523Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"First Modal","urlSegment":"first-modal","date":"2024-03-13T10:55:08Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null}],"properties":null}],"properties":null},"children":[{"body":"The value of your investments and the income from them may go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invested.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"e3d0402d-d19e-40a9-aa67-f4d859c9f63d","id":5283,"name":"3. Value of your investments","urlSegment":"3-value-of-your-investments","sortOrder":1,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5283","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-13T17:21:02Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-19T13:53:57.087Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"3. Value of your investments","urlSegment":"3-value-of-your-investments","date":"2024-11-13T17:21:02Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"The specific securities identified and described are for informational purposes only and do not represent recommendations.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"a61b2ca9-4e47-45c0-9f88-b37bd14c50ad","id":5284,"name":"9. Specific securities","urlSegment":"9-specific-securities","sortOrder":2,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5284","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-14T10:25:23Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-19T13:53:57.29Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"9. Specific securities","urlSegment":"9-specific-securities","date":"2024-11-14T10:25:23Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"SIPPs are not suitable for everyone as they may be more expensive than other types of pensions. They may not be right for you if you don’t want to invest across different asset classes or don’t think you will make use of the investment choices available to you. The Best SIPP is designed for people looking to invest at least £10,000 through any combination of one-off investments, regular contributions or transfers from other providers, over a short time frame.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"7e27a9a5-560f-43ff-9a3d-2aae0cbfff00","id":5287,"name":"16. Sipps","urlSegment":"16-sipps","sortOrder":5,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5287","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-15T16:22:15Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2025-02-03T10:55:30.657Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"16. Sipps","urlSegment":"16-sipps","date":"2024-11-15T16:22:15Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"Transfer considerations. Transfers should only be considered for pensions which do not offer any guaranteed or safeguarded benefits - not final salary or defined benefit schemes or pensions that offer particular annuity rates and other promises. You should ensure that by transferring you are not incurring unnecessary penalties, losing any benefits or features, and have considered any increase in pension charges.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"ef005e57-13ee-4235-b529-6f516f67dff5","id":5288,"name":"15. Transfers","urlSegment":"15-transfers","sortOrder":6,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5288","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-15T16:30:51Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-19T13:53:58.383Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"15. Transfers","urlSegment":"15-transfers","date":"2024-11-15T16:30:51Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"As with all stock market investments the value of the Junior ISA can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than has been paid in.
Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.
With pension investment, both the money you invest and the income from it can fall in value.
Before transferring, see Transfer considerations.
The value of investments can fall as well as rise and that you may not get back the amount you originally invested.
\nNothing in these briefings is intended to constitute advice or a recommendation and you should not take any investment decision based on their content.
\nAny opinions expressed may change or have already changed.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"8e5ca4b2-4f3d-4f21-87ef-773fb88b2d56","id":5292,"name":"5. Professional advice","urlSegment":"5-professional-advice","sortOrder":10,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5292","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-19T14:48:27Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-12-27T09:35:39.857Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"5. Professional advice","urlSegment":"5-professional-advice","date":"2024-11-19T14:48:27Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. View full risk warning.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"6d90fc31-9d2a-43ea-be14-cbb782b0d88c","id":5293,"name":"6. Full risk link","urlSegment":"6-full-risk-link","sortOrder":11,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5293","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-19T14:50:00Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2025-03-04T14:44:19.81Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"6. Full risk link","urlSegment":"6-full-risk-link","date":"2024-11-19T14:50:00Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"Before transferring, see Transfer considerations.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"b0f77c3b-ed35-490e-a324-94a0929c4e63","id":5314,"name":"1. Transfer notice","urlSegment":"1-transfer-notice","sortOrder":12,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5314","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-20T12:26:52Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-20T12:27:04.63Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"1. Transfer notice","urlSegment":"1-transfer-notice","date":"2024-11-20T12:26:52Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"The value of your investments and the income from them may go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invested.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
ETFs can be high risk and complex and may not be suitable for retail investors, so you should make sure you understand all the risks involved before investing.
The value of your investments and the income from them may go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invested.
The value of a pension can go down as well as up – and you could get less than the amount that's been put in.
You should consider charges, investment choices and any valuable benefits that could be lost before combining any pensions.
The decision to access your pension is an important one and will affect your income and possibly your standard of living for years to come.
Therefore we recommend that before any decision is made you receive regulated financial advice or get free guidance from Pension Wise.
Pensions are long-term investments. You may get back less than you originally paid in because your capital is not guaranteed and charges may apply.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"fa9a27d7-45d7-4318-b03a-41ad577dadd8","id":5321,"name":"21. Long term","urlSegment":"21-long-term","sortOrder":18,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5321","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-29T16:56:27Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-29T16:56:37.853Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"21. Long term","urlSegment":"21-long-term","date":"2024-11-29T16:56:27Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"Income drawdown is complex and not suitable for everyone. Your pension remains invested so your income will be affected by the value and performance of underlying assets which may fall; make sure you understand the risks and costs before you go ahead.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"65982c9d-78b6-4d4d-96d5-47fc3591ea1c","id":5322,"name":"22. Income drawdown","urlSegment":"22-income-drawdown","sortOrder":19,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5322","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-29T16:57:54Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-29T16:58:02.393Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"22. Income drawdown","urlSegment":"22-income-drawdown","date":"2024-11-29T16:57:54Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"SIPPs are not suitable for everyone as they may be more expensive than other types of pensions. They may not be right for you if you don’t want to invest across different asset classes or don’t think you will make use of the investment choices available to you.
Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future.
VCTs are higher-risk investments designed for UK resident taxpayers with an investment time horizon of greater than 5 years, which is the minimum holding period to qualify for income tax relief.
Tax reliefs depend on individual circumstances and may change. They may be difficult to sell at a price close to the value of the underlying assets or at the time of your choosing. They should only form a small part of an investor’s portfolio.
You should read the relevant prospectus before making any decisions.
The information and guidance provided by the coaches is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"e427eb8c-de84-4e4f-81f7-8be7d22376fc","id":5331,"name":"28. Coaches","urlSegment":"28-coaches","sortOrder":22,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5331","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-12-09T11:45:13Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-12-09T11:45:23.713Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"28. Coaches","urlSegment":"28-coaches","date":"2024-12-09T11:45:13Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) are high-risk investments and you may get back less than invested.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"da526787-844e-434d-a14e-3f3eee3464bc","id":5379,"name":"29. VCTs (Short)","urlSegment":"29-vcts-short","sortOrder":23,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5379","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2025-01-28T15:33:58Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2025-03-04T10:09:37.15Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"29. VCTs (Short)","urlSegment":"29-vcts-short","date":"2025-01-28T15:33:58Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"VCTs are higher-risk investments designed for UK resident taxpayers with an investment time horizon of greater than 5 years, which is the minimum holding period to qualify for income tax relief. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than invested.
\nVCTs should only be considered by experienced investors once other financial planning solutions have been fully explored and should only form a small part of your portfolio.
The value of your investments and the income from them may go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invested.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"e3d0402d-d19e-40a9-aa67-f4d859c9f63d","id":5283,"name":"3. Value of your investments","urlSegment":"3-value-of-your-investments","sortOrder":1,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5283","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-13T17:21:02Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-19T13:53:57.087Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"3. Value of your investments","urlSegment":"3-value-of-your-investments","date":"2024-11-13T17:21:02Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"The specific securities identified and described are for informational purposes only and do not represent recommendations.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"a61b2ca9-4e47-45c0-9f88-b37bd14c50ad","id":5284,"name":"9. Specific securities","urlSegment":"9-specific-securities","sortOrder":2,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5284","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-14T10:25:23Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-19T13:53:57.29Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"9. Specific securities","urlSegment":"9-specific-securities","date":"2024-11-14T10:25:23Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"SIPPs are not suitable for everyone as they may be more expensive than other types of pensions. They may not be right for you if you don’t want to invest across different asset classes or don’t think you will make use of the investment choices available to you. The Best SIPP is designed for people looking to invest at least £10,000 through any combination of one-off investments, regular contributions or transfers from other providers, over a short time frame.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"7e27a9a5-560f-43ff-9a3d-2aae0cbfff00","id":5287,"name":"16. Sipps","urlSegment":"16-sipps","sortOrder":5,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5287","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-15T16:22:15Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2025-02-03T10:55:30.657Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"16. Sipps","urlSegment":"16-sipps","date":"2024-11-15T16:22:15Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"Transfer considerations. Transfers should only be considered for pensions which do not offer any guaranteed or safeguarded benefits - not final salary or defined benefit schemes or pensions that offer particular annuity rates and other promises. You should ensure that by transferring you are not incurring unnecessary penalties, losing any benefits or features, and have considered any increase in pension charges.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"ef005e57-13ee-4235-b529-6f516f67dff5","id":5288,"name":"15. Transfers","urlSegment":"15-transfers","sortOrder":6,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5288","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-15T16:30:51Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-19T13:53:58.383Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"15. Transfers","urlSegment":"15-transfers","date":"2024-11-15T16:30:51Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"As with all stock market investments the value of the Junior ISA can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than has been paid in.
Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.
With pension investment, both the money you invest and the income from it can fall in value.
Before transferring, see Transfer considerations.
The value of investments can fall as well as rise and that you may not get back the amount you originally invested.
\nNothing in these briefings is intended to constitute advice or a recommendation and you should not take any investment decision based on their content.
\nAny opinions expressed may change or have already changed.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"8e5ca4b2-4f3d-4f21-87ef-773fb88b2d56","id":5292,"name":"5. Professional advice","urlSegment":"5-professional-advice","sortOrder":10,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5292","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-19T14:48:27Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-12-27T09:35:39.857Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"5. Professional advice","urlSegment":"5-professional-advice","date":"2024-11-19T14:48:27Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. View full risk warning.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"6d90fc31-9d2a-43ea-be14-cbb782b0d88c","id":5293,"name":"6. Full risk link","urlSegment":"6-full-risk-link","sortOrder":11,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5293","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-19T14:50:00Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2025-03-04T14:44:19.81Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"6. Full risk link","urlSegment":"6-full-risk-link","date":"2024-11-19T14:50:00Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"Before transferring, see Transfer considerations.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"b0f77c3b-ed35-490e-a324-94a0929c4e63","id":5314,"name":"1. Transfer notice","urlSegment":"1-transfer-notice","sortOrder":12,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5314","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-20T12:26:52Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-20T12:27:04.63Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"1. Transfer notice","urlSegment":"1-transfer-notice","date":"2024-11-20T12:26:52Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"The value of your investments and the income from them may go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invested.
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
ETFs can be high risk and complex and may not be suitable for retail investors, so you should make sure you understand all the risks involved before investing.
The value of your investments and the income from them may go down as well as up, and you could get back less than you invested.
The value of a pension can go down as well as up – and you could get less than the amount that's been put in.
You should consider charges, investment choices and any valuable benefits that could be lost before combining any pensions.
The decision to access your pension is an important one and will affect your income and possibly your standard of living for years to come.
Therefore we recommend that before any decision is made you receive regulated financial advice or get free guidance from Pension Wise.
Pensions are long-term investments. You may get back less than you originally paid in because your capital is not guaranteed and charges may apply.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"fa9a27d7-45d7-4318-b03a-41ad577dadd8","id":5321,"name":"21. Long term","urlSegment":"21-long-term","sortOrder":18,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5321","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-29T16:56:27Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-29T16:56:37.853Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"21. Long term","urlSegment":"21-long-term","date":"2024-11-29T16:56:27Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"Income drawdown is complex and not suitable for everyone. Your pension remains invested so your income will be affected by the value and performance of underlying assets which may fall; make sure you understand the risks and costs before you go ahead.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"65982c9d-78b6-4d4d-96d5-47fc3591ea1c","id":5322,"name":"22. Income drawdown","urlSegment":"22-income-drawdown","sortOrder":19,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5322","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-11-29T16:57:54Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-11-29T16:58:02.393Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"22. Income drawdown","urlSegment":"22-income-drawdown","date":"2024-11-29T16:57:54Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"SIPPs are not suitable for everyone as they may be more expensive than other types of pensions. They may not be right for you if you don’t want to invest across different asset classes or don’t think you will make use of the investment choices available to you.
Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future.
VCTs are higher-risk investments designed for UK resident taxpayers with an investment time horizon of greater than 5 years, which is the minimum holding period to qualify for income tax relief.
Tax reliefs depend on individual circumstances and may change. They may be difficult to sell at a price close to the value of the underlying assets or at the time of your choosing. They should only form a small part of an investor’s portfolio.
You should read the relevant prospectus before making any decisions.
The information and guidance provided by the coaches is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"e427eb8c-de84-4e4f-81f7-8be7d22376fc","id":5331,"name":"28. Coaches","urlSegment":"28-coaches","sortOrder":22,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5331","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2024-12-09T11:45:13Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2024-12-09T11:45:23.713Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"28. Coaches","urlSegment":"28-coaches","date":"2024-12-09T11:45:13Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs) are high-risk investments and you may get back less than invested.
","notes":"","title":"","contentType":null,"key":"da526787-844e-434d-a14e-3f3eee3464bc","id":5379,"name":"29. VCTs (Short)","urlSegment":"29-vcts-short","sortOrder":23,"level":3,"path":"-1,3039,5282,5379","creatorId":-1,"createDate":"2025-01-28T15:33:58Z","writerId":-1,"updateDate":"2025-03-04T10:09:37.15Z","cultures":{"":{"culture":"","name":"29. VCTs (Short)","urlSegment":"29-vcts-short","date":"2025-01-28T15:33:58Z"}},"itemType":2,"children":[],"childrenForAllCultures":[],"properties":null},{"body":"VCTs are higher-risk investments designed for UK resident taxpayers with an investment time horizon of greater than 5 years, which is the minimum holding period to qualify for income tax relief. The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than invested.
\nVCTs should only be considered by experienced investors once other financial planning solutions have been fully explored and should only form a small part of your portfolio.
ISA stands for Individual Savings Account. As the name suggests, an ISA is a type of account to help you save money. There are different types of ISAs but if you’re looking for a simple, flexible account to keep your investments in, a Stocks & Shares ISA is a good place to start. They are a very popular choice for first-time – and experienced! –investors. They’re ideal for putting away money for the future.
\nStocks & Shares ISAs are quick and easy to set up and, because you are usually liable to pay tax when you take an income from investments or when you sell them, a great benefit (of all ISAs, not just Stocks & Shares ISAs) is that they are tax-free. Bestinvest only offers investment ISAs but there are cash ISAs available.
\nYou have an ISA ‘allowance’, which is the amount you can save into your ISA each year. This tax year (2024/25) your allowance is £20,000. Keep an eye out though as allowances can change annually at the start of each new tax year: 6 April.
","contentType":null,"key":"56b5494a-9212-4178-9e9e-4ce94d919070","properties":null},"settings":{"purpleBlockStyle":true,"contentType":null,"key":"7b41937e-df6e-4bcd-adf7-a2fc306cc67b","properties":null},"blockType":"fullTextBlock"},{"content":{"movieId":"faYJHq8CNX8","movieTitle":"What is a Stocks & Shares ISA?","contentType":null,"key":"5bc3bc7b-0a46-4fa5-9e96-89b4432e171d","properties":null},"settings":{"purpleBlockStyle":false,"contentType":null,"key":"55456304-7b10-4e5e-a4c0-ba28310cc3b4","properties":null},"blockType":"fullWidthVideoBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Junior ISAs are a great way to save for kids and their inevitably expensive future. You can save up to £9,000 in the account each year (for the 2025/26 tax year), and they have the same tax perks as adult ISAs. A Junior ISA can only be opened by parents or guardians, but other people can contribute to it once it’s open.
\nThe money can’t be accessed by the kids until they’re 18 (when it becomes a standard ISA), so don’t worry, they can’t take it all out when they’re 16 for a holiday to Maga.
\nLifetime ISAs (known for short as LISAs – pronounced like the lice you probably had in your hair as a kid and not like Lisa Kudrow) were introduced by the Government in 2017 to help people between the ages of 18 and 40 save for their first home or retirement and can contribute up to age 50.
\nYou can choose either a cash or investment LISA and save up to £4,000 a tax year into one and the Government gives you a whopping 25% bonus. But tread carefully because there are lots of rules around LISAs. They don’t give you the same flexibility as other ISAs and there is a 25% withdrawal charge if the money doesn’t go on your first home or retirement (from age 60).
\nPensions are to save money for when you stop working. With a pension, you invest your money to save for retirement and you won’t see a penny of it before you’re at least 55. With so many expenses in life already, most of us don’t bolt towards saving for your much older self, but the Government can’t fund everyone’s retirement so it’s important to have your own stash ready.
\nYou can pay as much as you earn in a year (usually up to a max. of £60,000) into one and receive tax relief on your contributions – and if you can afford to pay in as much as you earn in a year, you’re probably reading this on a beach in the Seychelles...
\nPlus, when you pay into your pension, the Government adds money as well – yes, really! They will add an extra 20% (and if you’re a higher or additional-rate taxpayer, you can claim even more tax back too). When you’re ready to take the money out of your pension, you’ll get up to 25% tax-free and the rest is taxed at your normal income tax rate. But that’s future you’s problem, right?
\nRemember, prevailing tax rates and reliefs depend on your individual circumstances and are subject to change. Although there are many different types, the pensions from work and pensions you set up yourself are the main ones you may need to think about for now.
\nThese couldn’t be any easier to get involved with since most people are automatically enrolled as soon as they get a job (companies are required by law to have a pension scheme). A percentage of your salary is added to your pension before you even see it. Adios amigos!
\nBut, wonderfully, your employer is obligated to top up your contributions too – with some companies matching yours or even adding more.
\nTo be eligible for auto-enrolment (which is less exclusive than it sounds) you need to be:
\nThe money inside your work pension will be invested in the stock market, so can go up and down in value, but the investments offered by work pensions vary a lot so we can’t comment on them here. Take the time to understand your options because it could make a big difference to the amount of money you have in the future.
\nThere are different types of personal pensions including stakeholder pensions and SIPPs. The one we focus on at Bestinvest is a SIPP (you say it like you’d SIP from a SIPPY cup), which stands for Self-invested Personal Pension, and it kind of does what it says on the tin.
\nSIPPs are popular because they’re easy to set up and look after and, unlike some other pensions, they give you access to a lovely big range of investments. They can charge higher fees than other pensions offering less choice – you get what you pay for – so you should think about whether you want a large investment choice before you commit.
\nSIPPs are popular with self-employed people as they’re not auto-enrolled in a pension from work or part of the traditional PAYE system. So gig-workers, freelancers, gardeners, consultants, bloggers, and many more have to do it themselves. So after working freelance as a holiday rep in Ibiza who specialises in raves, they come home and sort out their pension. It’s just one extreme after another…
","contentType":null,"key":"aada3f01-f0e4-4f49-a1da-7c1b1f98289f","properties":null},"settings":{"purpleBlockStyle":true,"contentType":null,"key":"2e51019c-9ab2-4aee-beb6-f31a98a3f2d3","properties":null},"blockType":"fullTextBlock"},{"content":{"movieId":"aLEf8QMNr6Q","movieTitle":"What is a Self-invested Personal Pension (SIPP)?","contentType":null,"key":"0d9a0f30-fbb5-4590-a65f-25e56aa4e9b7","properties":null},"settings":{"purpleBlockStyle":false,"contentType":null,"key":"f8230213-bab4-4107-b62a-a049e9faecc2","properties":null},"blockType":"fullWidthVideoBlock"},{"content":{"text":"Keeping it short and sweet for this one. An Investment Account is handy if you’ve used up all of your tax-efficient investment options such as your ISA allowance or want to use the money before you hit an age when you don’t care about Mondays anymore (aka – retirement).
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