Lifetime ISA - open online only
The Lifetime ISA (LISA) is a tax-free savings account and Government scheme designed to help you save for two big milestones: your first home purchase and retirement.
If you are 18-39 and looking to save for one of those milestones, a Lifetime ISA could be ideal. This tax-free savings account is boosted by a 25% Government bonus, which means as well as earning interest, you could earn up to £1,000 a year in bonuses alone until you turn 50.
It works like this. For every £4 you save, the Government will add £1. So each tax year you can put an annual total of £4,000 into your Lifetime ISA and you can earn up to £1,000 in bonuses.
Account name |
Online Lifetime ISA. |
What is the interest rate and is it fixed? |
The annual interest is currently set at 3.00% tax-free p.a./AER*. The interest on this account is variable, this means that it can go up or down. The basis on which we might change your interest rate is set out in our online savings terms and conditions. |
How much can I save in this account? |
You can pay in as much as you like up to the annual Lifetime ISA allowance (£4,000 for the current tax year). |
Can I withdraw money? |
Technically yes, however if you take out your LISA savings for pretty much any reason other than buying your first home or retiring at age 60, you’ll likely have to pay a 25% Government charge on the withdrawal. There are exceptions such as being diagnosed with a terminal illness. |
How can I open an account? |
You can open an account online in a matter of minutes with just £1. You must be a UK resident aged 18+. You cannot open or manage this account in any of our branches. |
Will I be taxed on the interest? |
No, the interest and the 25% Government bonus you'll receive will be tax-free. |
Are there any other benefits? |
If you're using our Lifetime ISA to purchase your first home you might benefit from mortgage advice, that's why we're offering fee-free advice through our expert partner Mortgage Advice Bureau. They have access to over 12,000 mortgages from over 90 trusted lenders to find the right fit for you. You can find out more about them here. |
Additional information |
This is a limited issue account which could be withdrawn at any time. There are other savings accounts available with Nottingham Building Society and other banks and building societies. Subject to withdrawal conditions you can switch accounts at any point. You can read our online savings terms and conditions here. |
Frequently asked questions
Yes, absolutely. Full transfers from a single LISA provider are permitted for applications to our Online Lifetime ISA. You can also move your LISA to another bank or building society in the future.
Once processed by HMRC, the 25% Government bonus is automatically added to your account. This usually takes 4-9 weeks after each deposit.
Well, that depends! Your total will be the money you’ve put in your account, plus the 25% Government bonus, plus interest. At most you can put away £4,000 and earn a £1,000 bonus, plus interest, every year. Have a go with our Lifetime ISA calculator for an estimate.
12 months after you opened and funded your account. If you withdraw money to buy a house any sooner, you’ll have to pay the 25% Government withdrawal charge.
Firstly, congratulations! You can now withdraw funds to buy your dream home as long as you opened and funded your account more than a year ago. Follow our step-by-step guide to accessing your Lifetime ISA funds.
If you’re thinking about planning your long-term financial security, you can use your Lifetime ISA to save for retirement. You can open an account between the ages of 18-39 and must fund the account before you are 40. You can add up £4,000 a year and earn Government bonuses until you turn 50. After that, the account will remain open and keep earning interest until you can start withdrawing when you turn 60.
It’s not the only way to save for retirement, though, so you might think about getting financial advice to explore your options.
If you're using our Lifetime ISA to purchase your first home you may benefit from speaking to a mortgage adviser to find the right deal for you. Which is why we've partnered with Mortgage Advice Bureau so you can get fee-free mortgage advice.
Their expert advisers have access to over 12,000 mortgages from over 90 trusted lenders to find the right fit for you. Learn more about Mortgage Advice Bureau.
Yes, just a few.
- UK resident aged 18–39.
- Money has to be used towards first home or a retirement.
- If using the account for retirement
- you need to be aged 60+ to withdraw funds.
- If using the account for your first home purchase:
- The account has to be opened and funded for 12 months.
- the property price must be no higher than £450,000.
- the property has to be where you plan to live, not a buy-to-let.
- You can open more than one LISA but can only fund one each tax year.
We suggest reading more FAQs and the Lifetime ISA terms and conditions before opening an account so you can be sure it's the right account for you.
