What is a stocks and shares ISA?
A stocks and shares ISA is a tax-effficient way to invest your money to help it grow for the future.
Save tax on your investments
Invest up to £20,000 each tax year, free from UK income and capital gains tax. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and could change in the future.
Potential higher returns
Your investments could provide you with greater returns than cash savings over the longer term. Remember, the value of your ISA could go down as well as up and you could get back less than you paid in.
Easy access to your money
Your money isn't locked away, so you can access it when you need to with no withdrawal fees.
There's more information on the rest of this page to help you understand the key things to know before you apply.
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Our Stocks and Shares ISA offers options for both new and experienced investors, including our ready-made Governed Range portfolios, and our full fund range.
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We aim to boost your ISA by adding a share of our profits to your investments when we do well. We call this ProfitShare.
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We combine all our costs into one clear and competitive charge, so you know what you're paying.
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See how much is in your ISA and track your progress at any time through our mobile app.
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If you're transferring an ISA to us, we won't charge anything for the transfer and we'll handle the entire process for you.
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Our dedicated UK-based customer service team is here to help and support you.
What you need to know
- To apply for our Stocks and Shares ISA you must be over the age of 18 and a UK resident.
- Your money is invested, therefore the value of your ISA could go down as well as up and you could get back less than you paid in.
- You cannot pay more than £20,000 into an ISA each tax year.
- You can pay into more than one stocks and shares ISA each tax year.
Please read our Key Information Document (PDF).
Is a stocks and shares ISA right for you?
It's important to consider whether a stocks and shares ISA is right for your financial needs. There are a few things to think about before you open our ISA.
Designed for the longer term
You should be happy keeping your money invested for five years or more to give it more chance to ride out ups and downs in the market.
Investments will rise and fall
Your money is invested, which means you could get back less than you put in.
Choosing your investments
When choosing your investments, you should think about your goals and how much risk you're comfortable taking. Our risk profiler can help.
Not sure which investments are right for you? Our investment options page can help you choose your investments. You can also use our risk profiler tool to help you understand how much investment risk you're comfortable taking.
Apply for our Stocks and Shares ISA
More ISA guides
Stocks and shares ISA vs cash ISA
Find out about the key differences between these two types of ISAs and which might be the best option for you.
Five reasons to transfer your ISA to Royal London
If you're thinking about transferring your ISA, here are five reasons why Royal London may be worth considering.
How risky is investing?
Considering investing but unsure about the risks? We explain these and how your attitude towards risk can help shape the investments you choose.
Can I withdraw money from my ISA?
Yes. You can withdraw any amount of money from your ISA. You can request a withdrawal by logging into our mobile app or online service. You can also complete a withdrawal form and return it to us or you can contact our UK-based customer service team. Once you’ve requested a withdrawal, you should receive your money in 1-2 working days.
How do I select my investments?
When you apply, you will be asked to select where you'd like to invest your money before you open your ISA. Our investment options page can help you choose.
Once you've opened your ISA, you can change your investments at any time. The quickest way to do this is by logging into our online service. You can also complete and return our Change of Investment Form.
Can I change my payments once I've opened my ISA?
Yes, you can change your payments at any time after you've opened your ISA. Simply log in to our online service to change your regular contributions or make a single payment. You can also do this by completing and returning our New Money In Form.
How much do I need to pay in to my ISA?
You can open our ISA with a minimum of:
- £50 per month and/or
- A single contribution of £500 and/or
- An ISA transfer of any amount.
Who can apply?
You have to be a Royal London customer to apply directly with us. To apply online, you need to have taken out a pension with us since 2004 or have a Scottish Life pension. If you took out a pension with us before 2004, or have any other product with us, you need to apply using our application form. If you're not currently a Royal London customer, you'll need to apply through a financial adviser.
Is my money protected by the FSCS? (Financial Services Compensation Scheme)
Yes. If Royal London is unable to meet its liabilities, the FSCS will protect you for up to 100% of the value of your ISA. Losses resulting from poor investment performance aren't covered by this.
Do you offer a cash ISA?
We do not currently offer a cash ISA.