International Bond

A tax-efficient and flexible way of investing

The award-winning International Bond from Standard Life International is a tax-efficient bond that gives you more control over when you pay tax. While you’re invested in an offshore bond, you won’t normally pay tax on any growth*. Instead, tax is paid when you take money out of the bond and will be based on your circumstances at that time. It’s ideal for a range of needs including estate and retirement planning, tax-efficient saving or even if you’re planning to move abroad.

* There may also be withholding tax payable on certain investment funds. This is a tax that some countries deduct from dividends and interest payments to foreign investors. It is not possible to reclaim withholding tax.

To apply call 0845 272 8810

Overview

There are many reasons to choose our International Bond.

Investment choice – The international bond offers a wide range of investment options. Choose from over 1,500 investment funds, or from our panel of Discretionary Fund Managers, bank deposits, or structured deposits.
Innovative large fund discounts – we are the only offshore company to offer a bonus on investments over £150,000.
Switch funds – match your attitude to risk or access new investment opportunities. There may be a charge for switching into and out of some investments.
No fixed term – this bond should be seen as a medium to long-term investment and would be typically held for at least five years.
Transfer ownership – gift the bond to your children or grandchildren in the future. With 100 segments, the bond offers ultimate flexibility on assignment.
Flexible withdrawals – you can make regular or one-off withdrawals whenever you like. Withdrawals are subject to an overall limit and will reduce the value of the bond.

Investment returns

Investment returns aren’t guaranteed. The value of your investment can go up or down so you may get back less than you paid in.

Find out more

To apply for an International Bond, speak to your Financial Adviser.

You can find full details of our International Bond in the Key features document (PDF, 139Kb)

To apply call 0845 272 8810

How it works

To apply call 0845 272 8810

How it works

You must be habitually resident in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
You must be aged 18 or over
Up to six people can jointly own the bond, and up to six lives can be insured
You can insure a life, from 3 months to 84 years

Minimum and maximum amounts

Minimum initial investment – £20,000. £100,000 for Discretionary Fund Managers and whole of market funds

Adding more money

Lump sums – The bond gives you the freedom to make additional investments whenever you like. This is subject to a maximum age of 84 and a minimum additional investment of £2,500.

Withdrawing money

Lump sums – withdraw at least £500 each time
Regular withdrawals – at least £200 a time, from one month to 12 months

Tax

You can withdraw up to 5% of the total payments made into your bond without any immediate tax liability. Tax rules may change.

Once you have taken withdrawals equal to the total amount paid into your bond, this allowance stops.

If you don’t use your allowance in a particular policy year, you can carry it forward, until you have used up the whole allowance. You need to keep at least £10,000 in your bond for it to remain open.

Please note that if you cash-in part or all of your bond, or take withdrawals in excess of 5% of the total amounts paid into your bond in a policy year, part of your benefit will normally be treated as a ‘chargeable gain’. This is added to your income and charged at the applicable rate. This is explained in the Key Features document (PDF, 139kb).