Archive for November, 2008

8 Great Reasons to Get a UK ISA

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

When creating a formal argument, you have a burden: the burden of proof. Talking in circles, making baseless assertions, or providing “fluff” in your arguments, is ineffective. Instead, you must use solid evidence to support any assertions that you make. In a civil court of law, the prosecutor has the burden of proof to establish that the defendant is guilty. Meanwhile, in a military court of law, the defendant has the burden of proof to show that he is innocent.

Likewise, when choosing UK financial products, it may seem extremely challenging to decipher one product from another product. Sly advertising and a market that is constantly shifting can make this task quite challenging. However, we should certainly consider the option of an Independent savings Account (ISA). This type of UK financial product can help to maximize the income from our various types of savings and investment products. Here are some of the most cogent reasons for securing ISAs:

1. ISAs are an excellent tool for your long-term saving and investing
Some products for saving and investment are strictly ideal for the short-term, or are not particularly beneficial in the long-term. On the other hand, you can easily use ISAs as part of your long-term fiscal outlook, such as via an isa saving account. This can provide tax-free benefits to your long-term fiscal game plan. For instance, you could open an ISA account and then later transfer the funds into a pension account.

2. You can transfer Cash ISA funds to an Equity ISA
You can now transfer funds from your Cash ISA, to an Equity ISA. However, you cannot make a converse transfer.

3. You may select from two primary types of ISAs
We as humans generally like choices, and ISAs deliver. Based on your personal financial situation, you can choose from two primary types of ISAs:

A. Cash ISAs:
Think of Cash ISAs as savings accounts with non-taxable profits. You also have a choice about from where to secure Cash ISAs. The majority of UK banks and building societies offer these types of ISA products.

However, it is important to do your homework and find out the disparities between various institutions and between various products. The terns and conditions of different cash isa products can vary marginally or significantly. For instance, variances can exist regarding minimum deposits, notice periods before your ISA provider permits withdrawals, and whether accounts are accessed offline; online; or offline and online. Cash ISA tables can help you determine which ISA providers are currently offering the best interest rates for a cash isa.  

B. Equity ISAs:
Again, you have options about where to secure this type of ISA. Various types of authorised financial institutions, such as banks, provide Equity ISAs. You can also get them from fund managers, Independent Financial Advisers (IFAS), stockbrokers, etc. While Equity ISAs can include a plethora of investment types, Open Ended Investment Companies (OEICs) are the most common one.

4. Self-Select ISAs are perfect for fans of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) fans
If you want to have more control of your ISA account, then you should certainly consider a Self-Select ISA. Typically, you can secure them from stockbrokers. A Self-Select ISA allows you to decide which blend of funds you place into your ISA “wrapper.” Think of it as a make-your-own taco or shawarma. With these flexible ISAs, you can add various types of investments, including:

    bonds
    gilts
    individual equities
    investment trusts
    OEICs
    unit trusts
 
5. You can purchase ISAs through various sources
If you want to secure Cash ISAs or Equity ISAs after you compare isas, you can get them through various sources. In the case of Cash ISAs, you can open them via a bank, building society, Internet, phone, or post.

On the other hand, you can also secure Equity ISAs, through multiple means. You can buy Equity ISAs directly from fund managers. These are companies that operate various types of collective investment funds (i.e. OEICs, investment trusts, and unit trusts). The Fund managers will choose which shares and stocks to purchase for you.

Next, you could purchase an Equity ISA through intermediaries. Types of intermediaries include brokers, building societies, stockbrokers, banks, etc.) This option itself provides more choices, as you can select from more fund managers and funds.  

Finally, a Self-Select ISA allows you to choose investments from an array of managed funds. This gives you more control over the management of your ISA account

6. ISAs provide tax relief for UK financial products
Taxes can take a huge chunk out of our profits from UK products for saving and investments. However, ISAs can help to safeguard our savings and investments, from income tax or capital gains tax. While it is advisable to invest in ISAs, ISAs themselves are not investments per se. Instead, they function as a type of fiscal “wrapper” to protect investments and savings from the taxman.

A note of caution is that the tax benefits that ISAs provide are related to the profits that savings and investment products earn, rather than to the initial investments. For instance, if you secure an Equity ISA, the profit that you earn from selling certain stocks and shares, is tax-free. However, the UK government classifies the initial investment in the stocks and shares of an Equity ISA, as taxable income.

7. You can mix and match Cash ISAs and Equity ISAs
How much money can you put into a Cash ISA or an Equity ISA? Though some restrictions exist, you have more options than with other types of financial products. Here is how it works. Each tax year, you can invest a maximum of 7,200 in your ISA. However, you should note that while no limit exists on how much you can invest in an Equity ISA, the maximum you can yearly save in your Cash ISA, is 3,600.  In theory, you could place your entire annual ISA credit into an Equity ISA!

8. The UK’s official regulator is the Financial Services Authority

Tags: the UK’s official regulator (is) the Financial Services Authority | the UK’s official regulator (is) the Financial Services Authority | isa saving account | isa saving account | compare isas | compare isas | cash isa | savings

9 Awesome Ways to Avoid Mistakes When Securing a UK ISA

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008

Ironically, sometimes in life a safeguard can become unsafe. An airbag can make driving treacherous if it inflates at the wrong time. A PC’s outdated anti-virus software can allow an army of electronic critters to attack our computers. A depleted ozone layer can actually trap the sun’s harmful rays within the earth’s atmosphere. In a nutshell, for a safeguard to be effective, it must function properly.

In the world of UK finance, an Individual Savings Account (ISA) functions as a type of safeguard. An ISA is not technically a way to save or invest, per se. Instead, an ISA functions as a “wrapper” to safeguard your savings and investments. It prevents the profits from your savings and investments, from being subject to income tax or capital gains tax. Here are some ways to avoid mistakes, in order to ensure that your ISA functions properly in protecting certain savings and investments, from the taxman. 

1. Never forget to consider both cash isas and Equity ISAs
Which is more appropriate for you: a Cash ISA or an Equity ISA? When searching for the best isas, it depends on whether you are making short-term or long-term investments; and how much risk you are willing to take.

If you want to make a long-term investment that could earn a higher rate of return in terms of capital and income, then you should consider Equity ISAs. However, as is usually the case in the financial world, higher risks go hand-in-hand with higher rewards. On the other hand, because Equity ISAs involve investments in investment and unit trusts, they can significantly increase the amount of risk involved.

Meanwhile, if you intend to make a short-term investment with little risk, then you should consider a Cash ISA. You can access your funds quickly, and can avoid the unpredictability of the stock market.

2. Never invest without knowing your limits
ISAs were “born” in 1999. Then in April of 2008, the UK government revamped its ISA system. Beforehand, mini ISAs and maxi ISAs were the two types of ISAs available to Britons. To simplify the system, the government changed the two primary categories of ISAs to Cash ISAs and Equity ISAs. Furthermore, Personal Equity Plans (PEPS), the predecessors of ISAs, received their walking papers.

With the new system of Cash ISAs and Equity ISAs, the maximum amount of capital you can place into an ISA in an isa investment, is 7,200. While there is no limit to how much capital you can put into an Equity ISA, the ceiling for Cash ISAs is 3,600.  Thus, you could theoretically place all 7,200 of your ISA credit, into an Equity ISA.

3. Never neglect to consider an ISA as a long-term investment
You could certainly use an ISA wrapper for short-term investment. However, you could also consider it as part of your long-term investing strategy. For instance, consider saving your ISA for a rainy day, by later placing it into a pension.

4. Never fail to review Cash ISA Tables constantly

The name of the game when securing a Cash ISA, is to find one with the highest rate. However, it is important to review the tables continually, as the best rates can theoretically change on a daily basis. Also, keep in mind that limit-period bonuses have inflated some Cash ISA interest rates.

5. Never buy ISAs without considering all of the sources
When choosing an ISA, such as cash isas, you have three choices. Each source has its pros and cons, so you should consider which one would best suit your individual financial needs:

Direct ISAs:
Like buying clothing or an appliance, you can buy Equity ISAs directvia fund managers. What are fund managers? They are the companies that mange a variety of collective investment funds. These include Open-Ended Investment Companies (OEICs), investment trusts, and unit trusts. The fund managers will determine which shares and stocks to purchase for your ISA.

Intermediaries:
The main benefit of purchasing an ISA through an intermediary, is that you may select from various fund managers and funds. An intermediary can include:

    bank
    broker
    building society
    independent financial adviser
    investment manager
    stockbroker

Self-Select ISAs:
Are you a fan of Do-It-Yourself (DOY) projects? If you want a more hands-on type of ISA, then you should certainly consider a Self-Select ISA. Think of this type of ISA as a make-your-own financial wrap, taco, or shawarma. Typically, you buy Self-Select ISAs from stockbrokers. You fill your ISA wrapper with a hodgepodge of funds or shares. Managed funds provide an array of investments to choose from, including:

    bonds
    gilts
    individual equities
    investment trusts
    OEICs
    unit trusts

6. Never assume that an ISA protects initial investments
An ISA functions in protecting your cash or equity investment, from becoming taxable income. However, it only protects any profits that you earn on the investment (i.e. saving), rather than the initial investment that you make. This includes both cash and equity that you invest.

7.  Never purchase a Cash ISA without knowing the terms and conditions
The vast majority of banks and building societies in the UK provide various types of Cash ISAs. Nevertheless, get out your spectacles, in order to read the terms and conditions. They can differ from institution to institution, and from product to product.  For instance, particular accounts could require making a minimum deposit when opening a new account, or waiting for a notice period prior to withdrawing the funds.

8. Never disregard moving Cash ISAs into Equity ISAs
Starting on April 6, 2008, UK investors have had the ability to transfer funds from Cash ISAS, into equity ISAs. This provides you with an opportunity to increase your investment income exponentially, via the stock market. However, you should cautiously take this action, as you cannot transfer the funds from an Equity ISA, back into your Cash ISA.

9. Never discount UK government advice on ISAs
They can help to address your questions, concerns and problems.

Tags: UK government advice on ISAs | UK government advice on ISAs | isa investment | isa investment | cash isas | best isas | best isas | saving | saving