Flexible ISAs: what's the story?

The popularity of ISAs has largely been down to their sheer simplicity.

There is currently more than £66.9 billion sitting in adult ISAs with close to 12 million people subscribed in the 2021/2022 tax year.

Over the years a number of developments have made ISAs even more attractive. Enter... the flexible ISA.

Aren’t ISAs already flexible?

Yes - but previously the flexible feature refers to the rules that allow investors to switch existing ISA savings held in Cash ISAs over to a Stocks and Shares ISA - and back again.

Tell me more about the flexible ISA…

A flexible ISA allows investors to withdraw and replenish money from the account in the same tax year. In a non-flexible ISA, if you pay £20,000 into your ISA and decide you need to take out £2,000, you won’t be able to replace that money. That’s because you have paid the maximum amount allowed under the rules into your ISA.

However, under the flexible ISA rules, you can pay the money you have taken out (£2,000) back into your ISA and keep it all tax-free.

Can I use this on a Stocks and Shares ISA?

Yes. The rules allow you to take money out and replace it in both cash and Stocks and Shares ISAs. The rules state that you can only withdraw from the cash element of your Stocks and Shares ISA, rather than selling units in shares, bonds or funds. However, you can get around this by selling the shares, turning them into cash and then withdrawing the cash you need.

Are flexible ISAs widely available?

Yes and no. The flexible ISA was actually introduced in 2016.

However, ISA providers don’t have to offer flexible ISAs. The government rules state it is up to individual providers to decide. 

Flexible ISAs are more commonly found in the Cash ISA space, yet a small - growing - number of Stocks and Shares ISA providers are expanding their services and allowing flexibility.

The good news is that EQi is now one of just three providers that offer a flexible Stocks and Shares ISA.

Why is flexibility so important?

Although it is better to leave your savings where they are so that your money can keep growing, sometimes circumstances require getting hold of cash unexpectedly.

Having peace of mind that you can benefit from your full ISA allowance and have access to your money will be important for many households from a cash flow basis.

For example, it is likely to be of particular value for the millions of people who are self-employed in the UK.

Cash flow can prove a problem as many workers wait for invoices to be paid - and many find there are delays at a time they need to pay for something. Being able to use ISA savings as a buffer can be a real plus.

Equally for those who need to pay for something before an annual bonus arrives a flexible ISA could prove extremely useful.

Are there any exceptions?

Junior ISAs, Help to Buy ISAs, Lifetime ISAs, and of course, any element of a Stocks and Shares ISA that is not cash - that is, shares, bonds or funds - are not flexible. But again, if you need to access more cash than you hold in your portfolio, then you can sell any stocks or shares and place the gains into cash and withdraw it.

So there you have it: ISAs are simple, flexible, attractive tax shelters for investments and savings.

Anyone keen to maximise their opportunity to save and invest tax-free by using their £20,000 allowance can get started.

*Office for National Statistics (link)

The EQi flexible ISA