Explaining ISAs, general investment accounts and pensions

There are three main types of investment accounts that UK investors can use to invest in Artemis funds:

• ISAs
• General investment accounts
• Pensions

Each of these can be used as ways of investing in Artemis funds, with each having different tax treatments.

ISA (Individual Savings Account)

An ISA is a tax-efficient wrapper for savings and investments in the UK. It is a government-initiated scheme allowing individuals to hold cash and investments in shares and funds free of tax on dividends, interest and capital gains.

Anyone in the UK aged 18 or over can invest in an ISA. The government sets the amount you can invest each year; check the HMRC website for the current allowance.

Investors can invest in Artemis funds via an ISA account, directly with Artemis or by using the services of a financial adviser or fund platform.

Additional Permitted Subscription (APS)

If you were married or in a civil partnership and your spouse or civil partner died on or after 3 December 2014, you are entitled to an extra ISA allowance equal to the value of the ISA(s) held by your spouse or partner, even if you don’t inherit the cash or assets in the ISA.

This allowance is called the Additional Permitted Subscription (APS) allowance and is in addition to your annual ISA allowance.

Junior ISA

Junior Individual Savings Accounts were set up by the UK government in 2011 to encourage people to save for their children by offering a tax-efficient 'wrapper' within which their investments are free of tax on dividends, interest and capital gains.

Any child in the UK aged under 18 can have an ISA in their name. The government sets the amount you can invest each year; check the HMRC website at for the current allowance.

General investment account

A general investment account is one where you can invest in funds, but without the tax advantages of an ISA.

There are no limits on how much you can invest in any particular year. However, any income you earn and any capital gains that you make are subject to tax.

Investors can invest in Artemis funds via a general investment account, directly with Artemis or by using the services of a financial adviser or fund platform.

Pension

You can invest in funds via your pension, typically using what is known as a ‘Self-Invested Personal Pension’ (SIPP). A SIPP is a type of account that allows you to take charge of your retirement savings. You have the freedom to invest where you want to and control how much money goes in and when.

Pensions offer tax advantages, and the government will still provide a boost for any pension savings of between 20% and 45% (or 47% if you're a Scottish rate tax payer) by way of tax relief on top of anything you pay in to your pension fund (though pension and tax rules can change and any benefits will depend on your circumstances).

Artemis does not offer pensions directly; you can invest in Artemis funds by using the services of a financial adviser or fund platform.

Find out more about pensions at Money Helper.

This information is intended to provide you with help and guidance about investing generally and about investing with Artemis. It is not a marketing communication and should not be used to make investment decisions. You should always refer to the relevant fund prospectus and KIID/KID before making any final investment decisions.

Artemis does not provide investment advice on the advantages or suitability of its products and no information provided should be viewed in this way. Should you be unsure about the suitability of an investment, you should consult a suitably qualified professional adviser.