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Plum launches Lifetime ISA to help people save for their first home

  • The Plum Lifetime ISA offers interest on cash savings at 4.61% AER (variable)
  • Customers also benefit from a 25% bonus on deposits from the Government 
  • Money can be used for buying a first home or retirement  

Smart money app Plum is launching a Cash Lifetime ISA today, designed to help customers put money aside for their first home or retirement.


The Plum Lifetime ISA, which is FSCS protected, offers an interest rate of 4.61% AER (variable), including a 1-year bonus of 1% AER (variable), as well as the Government bonus of 25%. This allows savers to build up their funds more quickly to give them the best chance of reaching their goals. 


Buying a house is a key milestone for many people, but the cost of buying in the UK has skyrocketed. First time buyers now need, on average, a deposit of £60,000 for their first home and with the cost of living having increased substantially over the last few years, savers need extra support as they plan for this major goal. 


To help with this, Lifetime ISAs were launched by the UK Government in 2017 to give savers a boost when putting money aside for a first home or retirement, within the ISA tax wrapper. 


Now Plum is bringing this product to its UK customer base, with the intention of offering Plum customers a range of holistic options for growing their money over the long-term. 


Plum CEO and founder Victor Trokoudes comments: “With the continued popularity of our Cash ISA since launch, it has become clear that many of our customers are keen to keep their money within a tax-wrapper and benefit from high interest rates. We’ll be bringing the benefits of ISAs to a new audience with the launch of our Lifetime ISA, which is designed to reward savers for having a goal and keeping up the habit consistently over time.”


“By offering a Lifetime ISA along with our other money management products, we’re giving our customers a brilliant opportunity to boost their stash and grow their money for life. High interest, paired with tax benefits and the Government bonus, ensures that the returns from money set aside into the Lifetime ISA can give customers the opportunity to grow their cash over time. This should help them along the way to reach their key life goals, such as buying their first home, or saving for retirement".


Plum’s Lifetime ISA will sit alongside the app’s other popular money management products, including a Cash ISA, Stocks & Shares ISA, and General Investment Account with stocks. The app now has more than 2m customers across Europe and holds over £2bn in assets under administration. 


ENDS


Key facts about the Plum Lifetime ISA: 


  • Available via the Plum app and can be opened with just a few taps. 
  • 1p minimum deposit, maximum £4,000 per year.
  • Anyone aged 18-39 can open a Lifetime ISA and must deposit at least once before they are 40 to maintain their Lifetime ISA. 
  • This rate includes a base interest rate of 3.61% AER variable calculated daily and paid monthly after the first full month in addition to a Plum bonus interest rate of 1% AER which is calculated daily and paid after 12 months, subject to conditions. More details can be found here.
  • Transfers-in are also eligible for the bonus rate, subject to conditions. 
  • Account provided by Lloyds and Citibank and is covered by FSCS. 
  • The Government will add a 25% bonus on deposits monthly, up to £1,000 per year. This is paid around the end of each month. 
  • Money can be kept in the Lifetime ISA and can only be withdrawn without incurring a penalty under the following circumstances:
    • Buying a first home, costing <£450,000 
    • Aged 60 or over
    • Terminally ill, with less than 12 months to live
  • Withdrawals not used for a first home, retirement after age 60, or due to terminal illness may be subject to a Government withdrawal charge of 25%, which could result in getting back less than was originally contributed. For details of the penalty, see here.
  • For more details on Plum’s Lifetime ISA, please see here. 

Please note: The interest you earn in a Lifetime ISA will be tax-free so long as your account is managed in line with the Government’s rules. The tax treatment of ISAs and the applicable Government rules are subject to change. The benefits of your account for tax purposes will depend on your personal financial circumstances.


About Plum


Plum is the ultimate smart money app, with a mission to maximise wealth for all. Founded in 2016 by Victor Trokoudes (ex-Wise), Plum automates parts of personal finance that people find difficult or don’t have time for, with effortless saving, empowered spending and accessible investing. Plum has helped over 2 million customers across Europe do more with their money, with more than £4 billion set aside via the app. Plum was named Best Personal Finance App at the British Bank Awards 2023 and was named one of the fastest-growing companies in the UK by the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 2023. Plum is headquartered in London, UK, and has offices in Athens, Greece and Nicosia, Cyprus.