Individual saving accounts (ISAs) have income tax and CGT
advantages.
You can currently invest in one cash ISA, one stocks and shares
ISA and one innovative finance ISA in each tax year. This is set to
change from April 2024. ISAs are free of UK tax on investment
income and capital gains. If you are aged 18 to 39, you can also
invest up to £4,000 in a lifetime ISA. However, the maximum
investment limit of £20,000 (for 2023/24) applies across all
four types of ISA.
Lifetime ISAs
The government adds a 25% bonus to investments of up to
£4,000 a year in a lifetime ISA. You can use these savings to
help buy a first home (but be wary of the property price cap of
£450,000) or keep the funds for retirement. A lifetime ISA
will be a more attractive approach to retirement saving than a
traditional pension for some, or you can, of course, opt for both
forms of pension saving.