Stocks and Shares ISA

We make Stocks and Shares ISAs easy to understand and manage:

• Use your full ISA allowance - invest up to £10,680 in the 2011-12 tax year
• Easy to invest - from just £50 a month or a £500 lump sum
• Easy to manage - check the performance of your ISA online
• Easy to apply - it only takes around 10 minutes.

Two clear investment options

• Option 1: Simple investment solutions - You might want to invest in our MyFolio Managed Funds that have been designed to maximise potential returns for a given level of risk. You simply choose the fund which most suits your risk profile.
• Option 2: Choose from our full range of funds - create your own investment portfolio; choose from over 1,800 funds that cover the vast majority of market sectors from leading fund management companies.

Low charges, attractive discounts

• No initial charges - there’s no initial charge with our MyFolio Managed Funds
• Discounts on our full fund range - where a typical fund provider has an initial charge, you can expect around 3% discount. For example, if a fund has an initial charge of 5% you will only pay 2% – that’s a saving of £320 on this year’s full ISA limit. Other charges may still apply. Charges are subject to change and are not guaranteed.

Quick, easy application and great ongoing support

• It only takes around 10 minutes - apply online or call us on 0845 272 8810*. Call charges will vary.
• Customer support - our ISA specialists at Standard Life Direct are only a phone call away
• Manage your ISA online - with your secure login

*Calls may be monitored and/or recorded to protect both you and us and help with our training.

Please read the ISA Key Features Document PDF (205Kb) for information on the risks and commitment involved.

Transfer your other ISAs to Standard Life

Moving your existing ISAs to Standard Life is easier than you might think.

• We’ll manage the process for you - all you have to do is sign the finalised paper work and send it back
• Investment choice - Choose from the Standard Life Investments MyFolio Managed Fund range or over 1800 funds from the whole of the market
• No impact on this year’s ISA allowance - moving previous years ISAs has no impact on current or future allowances
• You could save money - our initial charge discounts apply to transfers too. Other charges may still apply.

When transferring in cash there may be a loss of income and growth while the transfer is pending. Exit charges may also apply.

More about transferring ISAs

Standard Life Direct is provided by Standard Life Client Management Limited and only advises on and sells products from subsidiaries of Standard Life plc and some external providers. Where advice is provided, there may be an additional cost.

Option 1: Looking for a simple investment choice?

Our customers tell us that choosing where to invest can feel daunting. The MyFolio Managed fund range offers you access to a diverse range of investments, all wrapped up in a single fund.

The MyFolio Managed fund range is made up of five expertly constructed funds actively managed by Standard Life Investments. The range has been specifically designed to maximise potential returns for a given level of risk.  You simply choose the fund which which most suits your risk profile.

The MyFolio Managed Funds invest mostly in funds managed by Standard Life Investments and can invest in many different asset classes which may help to spread risk. They are also monitored, reviewed and actively managed by a team of experts, so you don’t need to make decisions on a regular ongoing basis.

With MyFolio Managed Funds there are no initial charges.

Use Oxford Risk's questionnaire to learn more about your attitude to investment risk.

More on MyFolio Managed Funds

Option 2: Comfortable choosing your own funds?

We make that easy as well. You can choose from over 1,800 funds from market leading fund managers – including Standard Life’s own funds – that cover the vast majority of market sectors. You can mix and match your funds to create a portfolio for growth, income or both. Where there is an initial charge listed in the fund factsheet you will receive a discount of typically 3%. For example, if a fund has initial charge of 5% you will only pay 2%, that’s a saving of £320 on this year’s full ISA limit. Other charges may still apply.

See the full range of funds you can invest in

Who can have an ISA?

Anyone who is over 18 and lives in the UK for tax purposes. Please see the Key Features Document PDF (205Kb) for more information.

What tax will I pay?

You don’t pay any personal income tax or capital gains tax on your Stocks and Shares ISA, and you don’t have to declare your ISA on your tax return. Remember that tax rules can change in the future.

How much can I invest?

For the 2011-12 tax year, you can invest up to £10,680 in a Stocks and Shares ISA. Your spouse or civil partner can invest the same, giving joint potential investment of £21,360. Remember if you have paid into a Cash ISA this tax year your Stocks and Shares ISA subscription allowance will be reduced. This subscription allowance will increase in the 2012-13 tax year to £11,280. If you have used up your allowance, you can invest more money through our Investment Funds.

How can I pay into an ISA?

You can pay in lump sums, or make regular investments from as little as £50 a month. You can stop, restart, increase or reduce your payments at any time.

Can I take money out of my ISA?

Typically, Stocks and Shares ISAs are regarded as a medium to long term investment and should be kept for at least five years. If your circumstances change you can still access your investment at any time. You can also make regular withdrawals – from once a month to every 12 months, you just have to leave a minimum of £250 invested to keep the ISA active.

Remember, once you’ve invested your maximum allowance for the tax year, you won’t be able to invest more in that year even if you take money out.

What can I do with any income I get from an ISA?

If you choose an ISA that generates income, you can:

• Re-invest the income
• Pay the income into a bank account at fixed intervals or in fixed amounts.

What are the charges?

The charges vary according to the type of fund you invest in. When you invest in a Standard Life Stocks and Shares ISA there are no initial charges if you choose MyFolio Managed Funds, and discounts on the initial charge for the vast majority of other funds (typically 3%). For example, if a fund has initial charge of 5% you will only pay 2%. The Fund Fact Sheet for each fund tells you what the charges will be. Other charges may still apply. Charges are subject to change and are not guaranteed.

Can I move my funds around?

Yes, you can switch your investments between funds as often as you like but remember that charges will be different depending on the funds you choose.

Can I check how well my ISA is performing?

We’ll send you 2 statements every year and you can check the value of your ISA online.

What's the difference between Cash ISAs and Stocks and Shares ISAs?

Standard Life only offers a Stocks and Shares ISA, this table is for comparison purposes.