Tips on Investing in UK Premium Bonds

National Savings and Investments Essentially, invest in premium bonds is a form of savings account. Like most other savings accounts, you may deposit and withdraw cash anytime you want or need, with interest accruing on your savings. On the other hand, Premium Bonds distribute their interest via regular monthly prize drawings. That’s exactly; you must genuinely get my attention!

How Do UK Premium Bonds Work?

Here is how it works. Each £1 Premium Bond has an equal chance of winning a draw. Consequently, the more Bonds you purchase, the greater your chances of having one selected as a winner. NS&I employs “Ernie” (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment) to keep things fresh to choose winning Bonds. You may acquire Premium Bonds with a minimum one-time payment of £25, or you can set up a monthly standing order to continue investing up to a maximum of £50,000. You must be 16 or older to purchase Premium Bonds, although someone may purchase them on your behalf if you are younger. In this situation, the parent or guardian will hang on to the Bonds until the kid reaches the age of 16.

After holding a Premium Bond for at least one month, you are eligible to begin winning the drawings. Therefore, if you purchase them around the middle of January, they will be placed into the March drawing. While discussing time, if you’re considering transferring funds from your savings account into Premium Bonds, you should consider when your interest will be paid out. If you move the funds in the last week of the month, for example, you’ll reduce the period of time they’re not collecting interest and are not yet eligible to win a Premium Bond draw.

The month-long wait is not applicable if you reinvest any winnings from Premium Bonds back into the programme. These prizes will be eligible for another drawing beginning the following month. If you won £25 in January and reinvested it, that £25 would be placed into the February draw for Premium bonds.

How can I Purchase Premium Bonds?

Although premium bonds may only be bought via NS&I, they can be acquired through the following channels:

• Online – Premium bonds may be purchased using NS&I’s secure online system.
• You may also pay over the phone by calling the NS&I.
• Post – You must submit a completed application form and a check payable to NS&I.
• Bank transfer or standing order – Only if you already possess premium bonds.

Noting that NS&I does not accept credit card payments, you should be prepared to acquire premium bonds with your debit card information.

You may also give premium bonds to youngsters under 16 as a gift. Technically, you may purchase premium bonds as a present for any child under the age of 16, regardless of their relationship with you. However, premium bonds must be handled by the child’s parent or legal guardian. Therefore, confirming that they are willing to assume this duty before purchasing the bonds is vital. You cannot purchase premium bonds for another person’s kid over the phone; thus, you must utilise one of the alternatives above.

Motives for Purchasing Premium Bonds

There are so many different methods to save money that deciding on a savings account may be difficult. 

• One-third of British savers own premium bonds.
• You want the opportunity to win tax-free rewards of up to £1 million
• The monthly prize draw makes saving more exciting.
• You need just £25 to begin saving.
• As HM Treasury backs the money, it’s one of the safest saving methods.
• You may cash in your bonds and get your money anytime if necessary.
• They may be gifted to youngsters under 16 years of age.

What are the Benefits of Investing in Premium Bonds?

1. Your Funds are Secure

National Savings and Investments (NS&I), which is government-owned, sells Premium Bonds. This ensures that consumer funds are fully safeguarded.

This contrasts with the bank and building society savings accounts, which the Financial Services Compensation Scheme governs if the institution fails. The Financial Services Compensation Scheme only covers deposits up to £85,000 per individual per institution.

However, the maximum amount you can invest in Premium Bonds is £50,000, so if you put that amount in a normal street bank account, you would get the same level of protection.

2. They are Tax-free

A further advantage for certain individuals is that Premium Bond awards are tax-exempt.

This implies:

Basic-rate taxpayers may earn up to £1,000 in interest on their savings accounts tax-free each year.

Higher-rate taxpayers may get up to £500 in tax-free interest.

PSA does not help additional-rate taxpayers (those who pay the highest income tax rate of 45 percent).

The exemption implies that 95 per cent of individuals do not pay tax on their savings interest; therefore, Premium Bonds would not provide a significant tax benefit.

Nonetheless, it is comforting to know that if you win a large financial award, it will be fully tax-free.

3. You May Reinvest

There is also an impact similar to compound interest when you win with Premium Bonds.

You may reinvest the funds instead of withdrawing them (unless you already have the maximum of £50,000).

Your gains may be used to purchase further bonds. Therefore, every £1 invested will purchase a new bond whose unique number will be placed into the monthly prize draw.

This increases your chances of winning.

4. A Convenient Access Option

Investing in Premium Bonds might be advantageous if you’re seeking a temporary home for your money and may require quick access to it.

You may not want to place your cash in a fixed-term savings account (where you lock up your money to earn a higher interest rate) or participate in the stock market, which involves more risk.

Premium Bonds may be cashed in at any time via the NS&I website (although it can take up to eight working days for the money to arrive in your bank account).

Conclusion

Premium Bonds remain eligible for monthly drawings until they are cashed in. Again, you may initiate the withdrawal process at any moment, but it can take up to eight days to actually get your funds.