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Guide to Lifetime ISAs

Allowances and rules explained

A Lifetime ISA (LISA) is a dual-purpose ISA, designed to help those saving for a first home and retirement.

We don’t offer a Lifetime ISA at the moment, but here’s some information about how they work.

What is a Lifetime ISA?

You’re able to pay into one Lifetime ISA in each tax year, as well as a cash ISA, stocks and shares ISA, and an innovative finance ISA, within the overall ISA limit of £20,000 in the 2023/2024 tax year.
More information is available in our guide to ISA allowances.

Who can open one?

You’re able to open a Lifetime ISA if you’re aged between 18 and 39. You can save up to £4,000 each tax year, every year until your 50th birthday.
The government will pay an annual bonus of 25% (capped at £1,000 p.a.) on any contributions you make.
Funds can be withdrawn tax-free at any time in order to buy a first home worth up to £450,000, and from age 60 for any purpose.
You can open more than one Lifetime ISA, but will only be able to pay into one in each tax year.
 

What is the government bonus?

The government will provide a bonus of 25% on contributions made during the tax year.
This bonus is paid back to the Lifetime ISA on a monthly basis.

Withdrawing from a Lifetime ISA?

To buy a first home

The savings and the bonus can be used towards a deposit on a first home worth up to £450,000.
Accounts are limited to one per person rather than one per home – so 2 first-time buyers can both receive a bonus when buying together.

At retirement

The savings and bonus can be accessed tax-free, without penalty, once you’ve turned 60 years old.

Other withdrawals

You can make withdrawals that aren’t for a first house purchase or retirement, but a 25% charge applies to the amount being withdrawn. This returns the bonus element of the fund to the government, with an additional charge. You will still have access to your savings and any interest earned on them, minus the charge. Please bear in mind that if you make a withdrawal before you receive your first bonus, the charge will still be made so you won’t be able to take out as much as you deposited.
In certain circumstances – eg, a terminal illness or upon death – there’ll be no charge to close the account.

Will I earn tax-free interest on my LISA?

Yes, tax-free interest will be earned on all balances.

What happens if I decide not to buy a house once I have opened a LISA?

You can carry on saving towards retirement, or withdraw the funds subject to the 25% withdrawal charge mentioned above.

What happens if my house purchase falls through after I’ve closed my LISA?

The original LISA can be re-opened, and the amount you’d saved replaced.

Give your savings a shake

Compare Cash ISAs

There’s still time to grow your savings in a cash ISA

If you have cash to save, why not put some of it in a cash ISA?

You can use your 2023/2024 ISA allowance. You can pay up to £20,000 into a cash ISA this tax year, and you won't pay tax on any interest it earns. Good news, there’s still time to open one by 5 April 2024.

Terms, conditions and ISA rules apply.

Help to Buy: ISA

Manage your savings

The Help to Buy: ISA has closed to new savers, but you can add money to one you’ve already opened until 30 November 2029.

If you already have a Help to Buy: ISA, you can now set up a savings goal in the Barclays app1 and track your progress.