Flexible Loan Trust
For Investment Bond
The Flexible Loan Trust enables your client to achieve inheritance tax (IHT) savings over time while allowing for continued access to their original capital. All investment growth is outside of their estate from day one and held under trust for a wide class of beneficiaries. Optimum IHT savings can be made where loan withdrawals are taken and spent by your client, because the outstanding loan amount will reduce over time until the whole amount has been repaid.
Key benefits
- Achieve IHT savings over time.
- Gives clients access to their original capital.
- Any investment growth held outside client's taxable estate from day one.
- Joint or single settlements can be made.
- Available in conjunction with the Investment Bond.
- Suitable for clients who wish to retain flexibility and control over who benefits and when.
Key details
Eligibility |
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Features |
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Inheritance tax (IHT) |
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Loan repayments |
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IHT reporting |
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Key documents
Declaration and loan agreement (PDF)
Important notes for applications (PDF)
See all our Flexible Loan Trust documents in one place, including forms, guides and brochures.
Other information you need
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The Flexible Loan Trust is suitable for clients:
- whose estate is likely to be liable to IHT on death, even if maximum use is made of exemptions, reliefs and the nil rate band
- who are unable or unwilling to make outright gifts, as they need (or may need) access to their original capital
- who have a lump sum available for investment
- who are willing to forego access to future growth on their investment
- who want any investment growth to fall outside their taxable estate from day one
- who want flexibility and an element of continued control over the ultimate distribution of any growth on their capital
- who are prepared to accept the possibility of reporting obligations and tax charges which apply under the relevant property regime for IHT purposes.
Not for your client?
Take a look at our other trust options
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- The Flexible Loan Trust is an effective estate-planning solution for clients who wish to achieve IHT savings over time and wish to have continued access to their original capital.
- Even though a discretionary trust is established, there are no immediate IHT consequences to consider.
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- The investment will be made by the trustees of the Flexible Loan Trust.
- The Trust is designed for use with the Investment Bond
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- The Flexible Loan Trust is not subject to any charges.
- Please see the Investment Bond for charges in relation to the bond.
Important notice
Please note that charges, terms and limits may change. We may change the selection of funds that we make available. There may be restrictions on the amount that can be invested in certain funds. Please contact us for details of any restrictions that apply. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of your client and may be subject to change in the future.
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Before you apply
Before proceeding to the application stage you should ensure that your client wishes to set up a Flexible Loan Trust, which is on a discretionary basis.
Should they wish to establish the trust on an absolute basis, please take a look at our Fixed Loan Trust (creating fixed trust interests)
Please also ensure your client has read the important notes for applications (PDF)
The application stages
Step 1
- Complete the Flexible Loan Trust Declaration and Loan Agreement (PDF)
- You will then need to print the forms and ensure they are signed by all the relevant parties.
Step 2
- Trustees complete the bond application form as the applicants.
- The trustees can invest in the Investment Bond (PDF)
The following items should accompany the application:
- cheque for investment amount (can be drawn on the settlor(s) bank account)
- confirmation of verification of identity of the settlor(s) and all additional trustees
- copy of illustration.
Step 3
Policy documents will be issued to the trustees.