Where to invest: Junior ISAs or PSA

The Individual Saving Accounts is a safe, flexible and beneficial investment option where one can invest for medium to long-term growth, and the option is accessible and comprehensible to all types of investors. The money spent on ISA can be deducted from income and one may not need to pay further taxes on gains. The interest paid on earnings is exempt from tax and capital gains are tax free. One can invest full ISA (£20,000 per person per annum) into stocks, or mix of cash, stocks and shares.  

Different types of ISAs 

Cash and stocks or innovative types, where there are limitations on subscriptions, offer peer to peer tax free investment options. Some of these types of products are sophisticated and suitable for expert buyers. Younger adults can invest in Lifetime ISA, which allows a 25 per cent extra investment, but tax is applicable on the extra investment. 

Such investment can be made in a young age at the start of a job and can be held up to the age of 60. These options can be adopted to shift funds from cash / stocks / shares to Lifetime or other types of new ISA options.  There are restrictions on buying the number of ISA of each type, although, the money can be spent through various types of providers. The withdrawals from non-flexible types can lead to removal of all the funds from the ISA account, and one will not be able to withdraw or reinvest, in such case. 

Junior ISA's

In Junior ISA - parents, guardians or grandparents can invest in US resident children.   One can invest in cash, stocks or shares, where the age of children should be less than or up to 18 years. The child is allowed to access the invested amount when he/ she turn 18, and in the financial year 2018/ 2019 – the subscription limit was up to £4,260.

Customized Options 

Many modifications in ISA options can be found depending on the offering agency. Nationwide was paying 3.25 percent AER on the initial deposit of £1 – where the regular rules applied, however, customer surveys show parents wanted more control over the money kept in the account, where some wanted access before the child turned 18, and some worried their kids were too young to handle money even at the age of 18. Some guardians worried the child may fritter the money away, if they were granted the right to access, and in that case, they wanted improved control to safeguard the money to ensure it is spent on their first house or car. 

Halifax Money Saver scheme provided AER 4.5 percent, where the investor could spend at least £10-£100 per month, and withdrawals, before term, are not allowed, even in, such schemes. Coventry Building Society scheme - Junior Cash ISA offers 3.6 per cent AER at minimum initial deposit of £1. 

In 2016, the introduction of personal saving accounts became more popular with investors as it provided tax free allowance up to £1000. The scheme combined with children schemes offered opportunity to earn up to £5000 interest free saving (for PSA below £11,850 per annum).