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An investment bond is a single premium unit linked whole of life
policy and therefore non qualifying. The whole of life basis is
used because there is no fixed maturity date, and therefore in keeping
with an open ended investment such as the bond.
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The investment is through units into one or more sector funds,
from which partial withdrawals (up to 5% per annum) may be taken
without incurring any immediate tax charge. The investment risk
will be relevant to the underlying fund.
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On death the return is 101% of the bid value of units.
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Charges are the usual unit linked fund charges.
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Tax liability on withdrawal will depend on income tax status. Basic rate taxpayers will not pay tax on investment gains unless the gain (calculated by means of the ‘top-slicing’ method) on full encashment or where withdrawals exceed 5% for the year pushes taxable income into the higher rate bracket. The portion of gain over the basic rate taxable income level will then be charged at an additional 20% i.e. 40% less 20% (2004/05). Note that the charge is to income tax only.
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Bonds are open ended, with money available for withdrawal at any
time. Similarly, additional money may be invested in the fund at
any time. Some funds may impose an early encashment charge, or may
reserve the right to pay out at a suitable time (e.g. property funds)
or may restrict or depress unit values depending on investment conditions
(e.g. unitised with profits funds).
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Such a contract may be useful in similar circumstances to the Investment
Trust, with the additional advantage of a tax deferred income