Making your savings go further - Help to Save and LISA schemes
Two schemes to boost your savings by making the most of Government contributions are worth looking into.
They are the Help to Save scheme, and the Lifetime ISA (or LISA). Here’s the lowdown on who they’re for and what benefits they bring:
Help to Save
Aimed at those on low incomes, this Government scheme offers a 50% bonus on savings
You can save up to £50 per month (on an ‘easy access’ basis, so it can be withdrawn if needed)
The first 50% bonus is paid after two years, and is based on the highest balance during that time
The second 50% bonus is paid after four years, based on the difference between the highest balance in years three and four and the highest balance during the first two years (max £600 bonus)
To be eligible for the scheme you need to either be receiving Universal Credit (with employment income of £722.45 or more for the last monthly assessment period) or Working / Child Tax credit (if the latter, you need to be entitled to Working Tax Credit)
You can open an account up until April 2025. Once it's opened, you can keep it for up to four years
Applications can be made online at https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/help-to-save/apply - you’ll need a Government Gateway account to log in - or you can use the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) app.
Alternatively you can call 0300 322 7093 and HMRC advisers can assist you to set up an account over the phone.
LISA (Lifetime ISA)
Designed to help with the cost of buying a first home or putting towards retirement (post-60)
Under 40’s (as long as over 18) can open a Lifetime ISA, save up to £4k per year until the age of 50, and get a 25% top-up from the government each year – which is a maximum of £1k per year of what is basically free money!
If you use the money for anything else than a deposit on your first home, or for spending in retirement, you’ll pay a 25% penalty – meaning you’ll forfeit the bonus plus some of your own money on top
You can get cash or stocks & shares LISAs
If you buy a home with someone else, you can both use a LISA towards the deposit
The account has to have been open at least 12 months before you can withdraw money, and can only be used for properties worth less than £450k
If you decide to use the LISA to help buy your first home, you can retain the account and keep saving in it for your retirement
For full details, take a look at the government’s LISA information page, Money Helper’s explainer, or Money Saving Expert’s take on the pros, cons and best buys for this product.