Is a stocks and shares ISA tax-free?
Stocks and shares ISAs are tax-efficient investment vehicles – they’re free from UK Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax. This can make a big difference on what you’ll get back on your investments over the long term. Tax benefits are subject to change, interpretation and depend on the individuals circumstances.
The value of an investment can go down as well as up and you could get back less than invested.
What is the ISA allowance?
The ISA allowance for the 2024/2025 tax year is £20,000.
Can you have more than one stocks and shares ISA?
Yes, there's no limit to the number of stocks and shares ISAs you can pay into.
What happens to dividends in my stocks and shares ISA?
The dividends from your stocks and shares ISA will either be reinvested in your ISA funds or deposited as cash into your ISA account – it depends which option you picked when you opened your ISA. Don’t worry – with us, you can change this at any time online through your MyAviva account.
What happens to my Aviva Stocks & Shares ISA when I die?
Your stocks and shares ISA will form part of your estate – everything you’ve owned is known as your estate after you die – and your money stays invested until we get authorised instructions for what to do with it. We can’t make any changes to your investments until we’ve got these. Since your money stays invested, the value could go down as well as up and may be worth less than has been invested.
Your stocks and shares ISA becomes a ‘continuing deceased’s account’ when you die – this is for a maximum of three years and means the money in your ISA still has the same tax benefits, but no more money can be paid in.
If you have any money in an ISA when you die, your spouse or civil partner can pay that amount into their own ISA (or open one in their name) and not pay any extra tax on it, no matter the value. This is on top of their usual ISA allowance too. You can find out more on the government website.
Can I put my pension into an ISA?
You can't transfer money directly from a pension plan into a stocks and shares ISA. Once you start to take money from your pension after the age of 55 (57 from 6th April 2028), you are free to re-invest it in a stocks and shares ISA if you wish. If you have a defined contribution (money purchase) pension, you should remember that the money in it is already invested and there's no guarantee that it will do better in a stocks and shares ISA than it would have done if you had left it in the pension.
What’s the minimum amount I need to open an Aviva Stocks & Shares ISA?
To open an Aviva Stocks & Shares ISA, you can either set up regular payments of at least £25 a month or make a first payment of at least £500.
Can I transfer a Cash ISA to a stocks and shares ISA?
Yes. Check out our information on ISA transfers. When you move from a cash ISA to a stocks and shares ISA your money will be invested and affected by things like company performance and market conditions.
Can I open an ISA for someone else?
You can open an ISA for someone else if you hold a lasting power of attorney (LPA) for them. Otherwise, you can't hold an ISA with or for someone else unless it's a child (under 18) and you're their parent or legal guardian - this is known as a Junior ISA or JISA.
I need money from my Aviva Stocks & Shares ISA. Can you help me?
Using our online investment service, you can withdraw money from your Aviva Stocks & Shares ISA whenever you need it.
To withdraw money:
- Log in to MyAviva
- Select your Aviva Stocks & Shares ISA
- Select My options
- Select Withdrawals
You’ll need to have the money in your cash account, so you might need to sell some of your investments first. Take a look at the Terms and Conditions and Key Features for more details.