What is a Fixed Rate ISA?

What is a fixed rate ISA?

An ISA, or Individual Savings Account, is a tax efficient way to save letting you pay little or no tax on the interest of your savings and investments, making them a popular choice for saving large amounts of money.

Fixed rate ISAs mean that savers cannot access their money during the fixed term, if they do, they will face the penalty of lost interest.

As your tax-free amount is much higher in an ISA, there are still opportunities for savers to make the most of their money.

ISAs allow people to save thousands of pounds tax-free every year. The maximum cash ISA amount for the 2017/18 tax year is £20,000.

They have become less popular since the new PSA (Personal Savings Allowance) has allowed lower rate tax payers to save up to £1000 tax-free and higher rate tax payers up to £500. Many current accounts are now offering competitive rates of interest, which means people are moving away from ISAs.

However, as ISAs allow you to save a higher amount tax-free than any other kind of account, there is still a good reason to use them.

Why use an ISA?

Paying into an ISA is called ‘subscribing’. You can subscribe to one of each type of ISA each tax year, providing you do not subscribe more than your annual ISA allowance. For the 2017/2018 tax year that runs from 6th April 2017 to 5th April 2018 your annual ISA allowance is £20,000.

Typically, a fixed-rate ISA account will pay more interest. In exchange for a higher rate, banks will ask you to tie up your cash. Generally, the longer you give up access, the higher the return. As it is a guaranteed amount, you know what you will end up with at the end which makes it a lot safer than investing.

• ISAs are a good idea whatever your savings goal. With certain types of cash ISAs, you have instant access to your money, which makes it a flexible way to plan your finances.

It’s also important to remember that ISA allowance limits apply to everyone on an individual basis, so if you are married or in a relationship, you can both hold your own ISA, each with the full allowance.

High Interest ISA Accounts

Some of the highest interest paying fixed rate ISAs at the moment, include:

1)Tesco ISA

In the first 30 days you can pay in up to £20,000. 

Features:

•Your interest rate is guaranteed for one year, you can't withdraw any money during this fixed term unless you close the account and pay a fee

•You can manage your money with online and telephone banking

•You can transfer your existing ISA as long as it’s within 30 days

This ISA is a great option if you’re able to tie up your money for a year due to its high interest rate and ability to manage your account online.

2) Bank of Cyprus ISA

The Bank of Cyprus UK Cash ISA offers a unique combination which functions as a fixed and variable way to save. It combines the security of a fixed rate Cash ISA with the flexibility to make further deposits at the variable rate (up to the Cash ISA annual subscription limit).

Features:

•Competitive tax-free interest rates, including loyalty rates for existing customers

•Your interest rate options are flexible. You can start with a variable rate and switch your funds to a fixed rate at any time. You can only fix the rate once in each tax year - subject to a minimum of £500

•Top-up your Cash ISA anytime during the tax year

•Fee-free withdrawals from the fixed rate are permitted at the end of the fixed term

3) The Post Office Fixed Rate Cash ISA

Features:

•A competitive fixed interest rate

•You must have a minimum of £500 to invest

•No access to your savings until the end of the agreed fixed term

•One year fixed term

Interest is calculated daily and paid annually on the anniversary of the account opening.

Check our comparison tables for latest rates and offers.