Stocks n Shares ISA

[Pilot Light]

see 2026 has continued where 2025 finished … I could be retired soon at this rate

I've been heavily invested in the US and technology so have seen positive results, but was growing increasingly nervous about Trump and a potential AI bubble so have diversified into more Global funds.
We're all individual, are at different stages in life and have different attitudes to risk.
I'm prepared for my % earnings to drop and if there's a crash I'll still see a hit but hopefully less severe. Although who knows?

 

[im not roland rat]

I've been heavily invested in the US and technology so have seen positive results, but was growing increasingly nervous about Trump and a potential AI bubble so have diversified into more Global funds.
We're all individual, are at different stages in life and have different attitudes to risk.
I'm prepared for my % earnings to drop and if there's a crash I'll still see a hit but hopefully less severe. Although who knows?

I’m the same in terms of comfortable with a dip (never comfortable with a complete crash ). I’m in the Vanguard All Word Isa (think that’s what it’s called) and it’s 80% equities. Think the majority is US based. It’s managed so I just let the experts get on with it.

My main focus for my S&S ISA is to bridge the gap between being able to access my pension and me wanting to retire. I’m 47 but want to be done on a full time basis by the time I’m 54/55 max.

The next big hurdle i need to get past is when I can actually access my pension pot. My understanding is that you can access it 10 years prior to state pension age but they keep talking about that going up to 68 or higher. I also believe that it’s a case of they have to give you 10 years notice (or they normally do) before any changes are made that impact you so I’m hoping I can get to 48 later this year and nothing has changed so i know what I’m planning for in terms of money I need to get me through the 3 or 4 years before I can get access to my pension.

When you pay for something on your card, it rounds it up to the nearest pound and saves it. So you spend £10.50, it’ll add 50p to your savings.

Over a long period it adds up quite nicely.

Assumed it was something like this. Lots of little amounts soon add up !!
Something I might look into for the kids.

 

[Joe Public]

All bets would be off if the US moves to take Greenland.

 

[rentaghost]

What’s the difference between a stocks and shares ISA and a SIPP? We have quite a lot of money in a SIPP about 250k. This was my wife’s pension which she withdrew from when she worked. in the bank. It seems to operate the same way and fluctuates depending on market performance. Is the difference just the amount you can put in?

 

[woodlebert]

What’s the difference between a stocks and shares ISA and a SIPP? We have quite a lot of money in a SIPP about 250k. This was my wife’s pension which she withdrew from when she worked. in the bank. It seems to operate the same way and fluctuates depending on market performance. Is the difference just the amount you can put in?

SIPP is a self invested pension. So you can’t access until later years (55?). Contribution receive tax relief

ISA you can access any time

 

[42]

I’m the same in terms of comfortable with a dip (never comfortable with a complete crash ). I’m in the Vanguard All Word Isa (think that’s what it’s called) and it’s 80% equities. Think the majority is US based. It’s managed so I just let the experts get on with it.

My main focus for my S&S ISA is to bridge the gap between being able to access my pension and me wanting to retire. I’m 47 but want to be done on a full time basis by the time I’m 54/55 max.

The next big hurdle i need to get past is when I can actually access my pension pot. My understanding is that you can access it 10 years prior to state pension age but they keep talking about that going up to 68 or higher. I also believe that it’s a case of they have to give you 10 years notice (or they normally do) before any changes are made that impact you so I’m hoping I can get to 48 later this year and nothing has changed so i know what I’m planning for in terms of money I need to get me through the 3 or 4 years before I can get access to my pension.


Assumed it was something like this. Lots of little amounts soon add up !!
Something I might look into for the kids.

Pension access depends on scheme. Normally yours will be 57 currently, but could be 58 as I think the plan is to eventually go to SPA-10, but hasn't actually come in yet. However, if your pension has pension age protection you could still access it at 55

What’s the difference between a stocks and shares ISA and a SIPP? We have quite a lot of money in a SIPP about 250k. This was my wife’s pension which she withdrew from when she worked. in the bank. It seems to operate the same way and fluctuates depending on market performance. Is the difference just the amount you can put in?

The underlying investments are pretty much the same, theyre just different tax wrappers & have different rules on access etc. Pensions are more tax efficient but more restrictive.

I've been heavily invested in the US and technology so have seen positive results, but was growing increasingly nervous about Trump and a potential AI bubble so have diversified into more Global funds.
We're all individual, are at different stages in life and have different attitudes to risk.
I'm prepared for my % earnings to drop and if there's a crash I'll still see a hit but hopefully less severe. Although who knows?

Its kind of weird as everyone knows the US tech sector is overvalued & everyone is expecting a crash. However markets are supposed to be uber efficient, so why isnt a crash/correction happened yet? Crashes normally happen when something unexpected happens but everyone is expecting a crash, so maybe prices could go higher as a crash is possibly priced in. Whats probably more likely is we'll just see lower returns from the US as these things tend to be cyclic & the US has been on a 20 year bull run. Over the last year, European markets have seen better returns. So might be better to just try & dial down US market share & start putting new funds into Ex US funds

 

[Fletch]

All bets would be off if the US moves to take Greenland.

It only takes one crazy decision by a political leader for markets to dip dramatically

 

[Pilot Light]

Pension access depends on scheme. Normally yours will be 57 currently, but could be 58 as I think the plan is to eventually go to SPA-10, but hasn't actually come in yet. However, if your pension has pension age protection you could still access it at 55


The underlying investments are pretty much the same, theyre just different tax wrappers & have different rules on access etc. Pensions are more tax efficient but more restrictive.


Its kind of weird as everyone knows the US tech sector is overvalued & everyone is expecting a crash. However markets are supposed to be uber efficient, so why isnt a crash/correction happened yet? Crashes normally happen when something unexpected happens but everyone is expecting a crash, so maybe prices could go higher as a crash is possibly priced in. Whats probably more likely is we'll just see lower returns from the US as these things tend to be cyclic & the US has been on a 20 year bull run. Over the last year, European markets have seen better returns. So might be better to just try & dial down US market share & start putting new funds into Ex US funds

Apparently there's a saying among traders that 'if the US sneezes the world catches a cold' but i don't really know what I'm doing. I just know i wasn't happy anymore having so much invested in the US, watching the news & wondering Trump's latest action would lead to another crash. General advice is to diversify and while my portfolio could probably still do with more of that I feel more comfortable it's more Global & less US/tech heavy, while expecting lower returns in the short-term.

 

[42]

Apparently there's a saying among traders that 'if the US sneezes the world catches a cold' but i don't really know what I'm doing. I just know i wasn't happy anymore having so much invested in the US, watching the news & wondering Trump's latest action would lead to another crash. General advice is to diversify and while my portfolio could probably still do with more of that I feel more comfortable it's more Global & less US/tech heavy, while expecting lower returns in the short-term.

Truth is markets can be quite irrational & no one really knows whats going to happen so best to be diverse with a bit of a home bias (so something like vanguards life strategy funds).

If theres a full blown crash of US tech stock, then yes there'll be a global knock on effect. However if its just investors looking elsewhere for better value then non US stocks will do better of a given period.

 

[Geppetto]

I've been heavily invested in the US and technology so have seen positive results, but was growing increasingly nervous about Trump and a potential AI bubble so have diversified into more Global funds.
We're all individual, are at different stages in life and have different attitudes to risk.
I'm prepared for my % earnings to drop and if there's a crash I'll still see a hit but hopefully less severe. Although who knows?

What global fund do you invest in out of curiosity?

 

[Darlo1973]

see 2026 has continued where 2025 finished … I could be retired soon at this rate

I pretty much went sideways between October and the end of the year but 2026 has started well.

If I could get another 2-3 years of 10-15% growth then that would take me to a level where I would seriously think about whether working was worth it. I'm already at the stage where my investments make more money in terms of growth than I do. The challenge will be turning that growth into reliable income.

 

[woodlebert]

BUY EQUITIES

 

[DrNo!]

I've been heavily invested in the US and technology so have seen positive results, but was growing increasingly nervous about Trump and a potential AI bubble so have diversified into more Global funds.
We're all individual, are at different stages in life and have different attitudes to risk.
I'm prepared for my % earnings to drop and if there's a crash I'll still see a hit but hopefully less severe. Although who knows?

I've diluted my US exposure over the last year with adding more to my FTSE All Share and Emerging Markets funds. Both have done nicely for me.

 

[Rammstein]

I thought reading this thread would help me ( and my wife ).

We inherited just over £500k a few months back.

I'm retired ( now 73 ) and have a decent enough private pension + state pension so we're okay.

My wife is 10 years younger, the idea is/was to invest the cash to provide for her once I'm gone.

We put £40k into ISA's. Done nowt with the rest.

Spoke to my pension provider ( Fidelity ) and M and G. Both want 2% once they provide a suitable portfolio. Parting with nigh on £10k seems a bit strong?!

I have zero knowledge of markets, investments etc.

I was told to contact Unbiased.com for advice... Is that a sensible step, since currently the money is earning sweet eff all in a Barclays account ?

 

[42]

I thought reading this thread would help me ( and my wife ).

We inherited just over £500k a few months back.

I'm retired ( now 73 ) and have a decent enough private pension + state pension so we're okay.

My wife is 10 years younger, the idea is/was to invest the cash to provide for her once I'm gone.

We put £40k into ISA's. Done nowt with the rest.

Spoke to my pension provider ( Fidelity ) and M and G. Both want 2% once they provide a suitable portfolio. Parting with nigh on £10k seems a bit strong?!

I have zero knowledge of markets, investments etc.

I was told to contact Unbiased.com for advice... Is that a sensible step, since currently the money is earning sweet eff all in a Barclays account ?

As an initial step probably need to shift to a decent savings account as should be getting £1500 pcm on it in an easy access account.

Given the value, it potentially has tax implications if knocks you into 40% bracket, and paying a fee might be worthwhile if it saves you more in tax

Also given your age, you might not want anything that has a bit of risk & volatility if theres a big crash that doesn't have a quick recovery.

Also does it then bring you into IHT threshold? As if youre already comfortable anyway then might worth just dishing a chuck out to kids & grandkids who need money more now (also factor in potentially losing it in care home costs)

 

[Edinburgh Black Cat]

I thought reading this thread would help me ( and my wife ).

We inherited just over £500k a few months back.

I'm retired ( now 73 ) and have a decent enough private pension + state pension so we're okay.

My wife is 10 years younger, the idea is/was to invest the cash to provide for her once I'm gone.

We put £40k into ISA's. Done nowt with the rest.

Spoke to my pension provider ( Fidelity ) and M and G. Both want 2% once they provide a suitable portfolio. Parting with nigh on £10k seems a bit strong?!

I have zero knowledge of markets, investments etc.

I was told to contact Unbiased.com for advice... Is that a sensible step, since currently the money is earning sweet eff all in a Barclays account ?

If I were in your situation...

The £40k you have in ISAs, I'd have that in a stocks and shares ISA. Invested in an all world index tracker, something like this:

You must be logged on to see external links

For the remaining £460k...

- £300k into a Stocks & Shares general investment account. Again, in something like the link above. £150k each. It'll be subject to CGT & dividend tax but between the two of your allowances, it is easily manageable. Drip feed this into stocks and shares ISAs over the coming years to utilise your ISA allowances (£20k per annum each starting in April) and reduce the (potential) tax burden.

- Max your Premium Bonds, up to £100k between the two of you if you don't have any already - it's not a great long term investment, but it hedges the risk of the above both from a stocks and shares volatility and tax liability perspective. It'll provide some tax free income - at current rates, likely around £3k per year. If you're already got premium bonds, look at savings accounts instead - interest is subject to tax but you have an annual allowance on that as well. Or if you're comfortable with the potential volatility, increase the £300k shares pot.

- Take the remaining £60k and enjoy yourselves. Have some luxury. Decorate the house to make it more comfortable and manageable, travel, treat the family, buy new golf clubs. Whatever works for you.

Obviously, this isn't tailored advice. It's just what I would do. A financial advisor, you're looking at a minimum of 1%. They'll go through all your circumstances. They could offer to manage it all for you so you don't have to think about it, that'll come at a premium but it could be a lot better for you if you either don't know what you're doing or don't want the stress and hassle.

As an initial step probably need to shift to a decent savings account as should be getting £1500 pcm on it in an easy access account.

Given the value, it potentially has tax implications if knocks you into 40% bracket, and paying a fee might be worthwhile if it saves you more in tax

Also given your age, you might not want anything that has a bit of risk & volatility if theres a big crash that doesn't have a quick recovery.

Also does it then bring you into IHT threshold? As if youre already comfortable anyway then might worth just dishing a chuck out to kids & grandkids who need money more now (also factor in potentially losing it in care home costs)

Agree with all this.

Chase & Tesco both offer c4% on instant access savings. That could be done today as a holding position rather than heehaw in Barclays.

The bits in bold are where a good IFA could pay for themselves.

 

[1992clock]

Up this week 0.88%

 

[NYMackem]

For those that understand the mechanics of isa accounts.

Basically, about ten years ago my grandad gave me 15 grand for my son because he didn't want to change his will.

I put it in a stocks and shares ISA and spent it all on Aviva ordinary shares. I have been lucky been getting about 6% yield on dividends which have been reinvested into more Aviva shares which have grown about 40%.

However all these talks of future doom and gloom on the stock markets have got me spooked.

Is there a way to stop the Aviva dividend reinvestment and just have the cash paid into a ISA savings instead? Is that possible or can the two accounts not be mixed like that.

Is there something else I can do to mitigate risk I'm not thinking of.

Any advice appreciated.

You can't put the dividends into a cash ISA, but there's nothing stopping you investing them within the S&S ISA wrapper in cash funds or cash like funds.

Short dated UK government gilts are probably the easiest way to get the current effective interest rate locked in until the maturity date of the relevant gilt.

The capital gains element is tax free on gilts, whereas the interest / coupon payment is taxable, but it makes no odds if you are in an ISA wrapper anyway.

 

[IAmZlatan]

I've been heavily invested in the US and technology so have seen positive results, but was growing increasingly nervous about Trump and a potential AI bubble so have diversified into more Global funds.
We're all individual, are at different stages in life and have different attitudes to risk.
I'm prepared for my % earnings to drop and if there's a crash I'll still see a hit but hopefully less severe. Although who knows?

I’ve done exactly the same. An S&P tracker is basically just 4 companies anyway, and a global is obviously going to be hugely affected by whatever they do, but I’m sleeping a bit better at night knowing there’s a little less risk with it.

 

[NYMackem]

Its kind of weird as everyone knows the US tech sector is overvalued & everyone is expecting a crash. However markets are supposed to be uber efficient, so why isnt a crash/correction happened yet? Crashes normally happen when something unexpected happens but everyone is expecting a crash, so maybe prices could go higher as a crash is possibly priced in. Whats probably more likely is we'll just see lower returns from the US as these things tend to be cyclic & the US has been on a 20 year bull run. Over the last year, European markets have seen better returns. So might be better to just try & dial down US market share & start putting new funds into Ex US funds

I don't want this to come across as patronising, because your posts on these kinds of topics make it very clear you know what you are talking about, but efficient market hypothesis does not suggest that prices are always "right", ie that they accurately reflect a reliable estimate of every company's discounted future cash flows. It is that the prices of companies reflect all available information and every market participant's opinion on what future prospects of each company are. If you have a load of greater fools rushing into the market because they think past growth will continue forever, or AI evangelists who think it is the new gold rush, then their opinions will be efficiently reflected in market prices. It's just that they might all be wrong.

It works as a theory as to why no-one can consistently outperform the market (at least after trading commissions and fees and without insider knowledge), but nothing more.