What is a flexible ISA?
A flexible ISA is a cash ISA that gives you more freedom with your savings. if your circumstances change, it allows you take money out and put it back in — without affecting your annual ISA allowance, as long as it’s done within the same tax year and replaced back into the same account.
How does a flexible ISA work?
Let’s run through the ISA basic rules first:
- Everyone gets an annual ISA allowance per tax year .
- A tax year starts from 6th April to the 5th April the following year.
- For the current tax year, you can save up £20,000 in cash ISAs.
With a standard cash ISA, if you withdraw money, that amount still counts towards your annual ISA allowance for the tax year, and you can't replace it.
Flexible ISA rules:
With a flexible ISA, the rules are different.
Example: Let’s say:
- For the current tax year your ISA allowance is £20,000, and if you pay in £5,000 into your flexible ISA.
- You then withdraw £2,000.
- You can still pay in up to £17,000 that same tax year (April 6th - April 5th) as long as your ISA is flexible.
- Your remaining £15,000 allowance, plus the £2,000 you took out.
- When you withdraw from a flexible ISA, that money can be replaced without it reducing your annual ISA allowance.
Just remember:
- The money must be replaced in the same tax year.
- It must go back into the same account, with the same provider.
ISA allowance: standard cash ISA vs flexible ISA
Here’s a step-by-step example of how your ISA allowance is affected when you deposit and withdraw money in a flexible vs standard cash ISA.
Step 1: You open and pay in £5,000 into your ISA account
Standard cash ISA |
Flexible cash ISA |
- £5,000 of your £20,000 ISA allowance has been used.
|
£5,000 of your £20,000 ISA allowance has been used.
|
Step 2: You withdraw £2,000 in the same tax year
Standard cash ISA |
Flexible cash ISA |
- £5,000 of your £20,000 ISA allowance has been used.
You may be subject to a withdrawal penalty depending on the standard cash ISA you have. Check with your provider first.
|
- Counts as £3,000 used of your £20,000 ISA allowance limit.
- £17,000 remaining to use.
|
Step 3: You pay the £2,000 back later in your account in the same tax year
Standard cash ISA |
Flexible cash ISA |
- Now £7,000 used – only £13,000 left of your ISA allowance remaining for the tax year.
|
- Still only used £5,000 of your ISA allowance in the same tax year you opened your flexible ISA. You have £15,000 left.
|
Pros and cons for a flexible ISA
Pros:
- Withdraw and replace money without affecting your allowance.
- More flexibility if life or plans change.
- Ideal for savers who may need access to funds, providing you haven’t invested in a fixed rate account.
- Tax-free savings up to £20,000 a year.
Cons:
- Withdrawals must be replaced in the same tax year.
- Flexibility is lost if transferred to a non-flexible ISA.
- Doesn’t apply to fixed rate ISAs, LISAs, or Junior ISAs.
What flexible ISAs do Nottingham Building Society provide?
Take a look at the table at the top of this page to see the current range of flexible ISAs that are on offer.
With our flexible ISAs, you can:
- Save up to £20,000 tax-free (subject to eligibility).
- Withdraw and replace money freely during the tax year.
- Enjoy peace of mind knowing your savings are flexible if you need them.
You’ll need to be:
- Aged 16 or over.
- A UK resident.
- Have a National Insurance number.
What’s the difference between a fixed rate ISA and a flexible ISA at Nottingham Building Society?
A fixed rate ISA:
- Offers a guaranteed interest rate over a set term.
- We don’t allow withdrawals on our fixed rate ISAs, but you can transfer them subject to an interest penalty.
- Cannot be flexible
A flexible ISA:
- Offers a variable rate (which can go up or down).
- Lets you withdraw and replace money during the same tax year.
- Keeps your ISA allowance intact, as long as the flexible ISA rules are followed.