ISAs can benefit from small monthly payments Go compare with our comparison table

ISAs can benefit from small monthly payments

14 April 2010 / by Lois Avery

Saving smaller monthly amounts into your ISA can be more effective in the long run than parting with lump sums, says Fidelity International.

The investment specialists have carried out research to show how saving little and often in your ISA can be just as cost effective over a prolonged period of time as making the most of your ISA allowance in one hit.

And it will also benefit those savers who want to make the most of their money but can’t afford to invest large sums in one go.

Rob Fisher, head of UK Personal Investments at Fidelity International said: "A monthly investment plan can be a good way to maintain a long-term investment strategy and is a useful way of being disciplined about saving for the future.

 "And you may be surprised at how much even small amounts can grow over a number of years."

The figures show that an investor who decided to drip-feed their ISA via a regular monthly savings plan since ISA's began in 1999 would now have invested a total of £76,800 and would have a pot of money worth nearly £100,000 (£99,359) today.

This was compared with a lump sum investor, who would have invested a total of £77,400 and have a pot of £99,174, so a monthly savings plan would have worked out slightly better over the course of 10 years.

The results also showed how this method of saving would benefit an ISA account being paid into monthly over a 20 and 30 year time frame.

Regular monthly savings can also benefit from "pound cost averaging" - where the effect of market changes on savings is effectively smoothed out over a longer period of time.

Rob Fisher  added: "It is understandable that not all investors will be able to part with the maximum ISA allowance in one go, however, this does not mean that you can't take advantage of the full allowance on a monthly basis.

“The analysis shows that drip-feeding your investments over the course of the year can, in fact, be more beneficial since it is less affected by market volatility."

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© Fair Investment Company Ltd

 Product NameISA OptionIncome YieldMore Info
Income Builder Plusyes8.40%
per annum
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A 5 year structured investment plan paying a potential maximum quarterly income of 2.10% (equivalent to 8.40% per year). Also available for Stocks & Shares ISA and ISA transfer.
FTSE 100 Bonus Income Planyes7.50%
per annum
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5 year structured investment plan paying an income of 7.50% annually, including a potential annual bonus of 0.5%. Also available as a monthly income option, Stocks & Shares ISA investment and ISA transfer.
Income Deposit Planyes7.00%
per annum
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A 6 year capital protected structured deposit plan with the potential to pay 7% annual income. Backed by the Royal Bank of Scotland. Also available as a cash ISA and for ISA transfer.
Schroders Monthly High Income Fundyes
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The Schroder Monthly High Income Fund aims to generate a high income, whilst not compromising capital, by investing in a diversified basket of fixed income securities. 100% Discount off Initial Charges.
Invesco Perpetual Monthly Income Plus Fund ISAyes
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Popular monthly income fund that aims to achieve a high level of income whilst seeking to maximise total return through investing in high yielding corporate and Government bonds, together with UK equities. 100% discount on initial charges.
Henderson Strategic Bond Fundyes
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The aim of this fund is to deliver a quarterly income to investors by investing in higher yielding assets, which will include most types of fixed interest securities such as high yield bonds, investment grade bonds and government gilts, as well as having the ability to invest a proportion of the fund in equities. Income is paid to you quarterly.
Schroders Income Maximiseryes
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The Schroder Income Maximiser Fund ISA aims to deliver a target income yield of 7% pa, also providing potential capital growth. Income is paid to you quarterly. 100% Discount off Initial Charges.
Invesco Perpetual Corporate Bond ISAyes
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This highly popular fund aims to achieve a high level of overall return with relative security to capital. Income Paid to you twice yearly. Up to 100% Discount off the Standard Initial Fund Charge.
Artemis Income ISAyes
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One of the leading UK Equity Income Funds. The Fund managers hunt out companies with strong free cash flow and solid balance sheets. Income is paid to you twice yearly. 100% Discount off the Standard Initial Fund Charge.
Jupiter Corporate Bond Fund ISAyes
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The Jupiter Corporate Bond aims to achieve a high level of income with the opportunity for capital growth, through mainly investing in fixed interest securities. Income is paid to you twice yearly. 87.5% Discount off the Standard Initial Fund Charge.
Invesco Perpetual High Income Fund ISAyes
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One of the UK's most popular income fund ISAs the Invesco Perpetual High Income has delivered consistently good long term returns through a variety of market conditions. Income is paid to you twice yearly. Up to a 100% Discount off the Standard Initial Fund Charge.
M&G Corporate Bond ISAyes
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The M&G Corporate Bond Fund is a conservative ‘blue chip’ sterling fund that aims to produce a higher return than UK government bonds. Income is Paid to you Quarterly. 100% Discount off the Standard Initial Fund Charge.
Jupiter Merlin Income Portfolioyes
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The Jupiter Merlin Income Portfolio fund aims to achieve a high and rising income with some potential for capital growth. Income Distributions are made to you quarterly. 95% Discount off the Standard Initial Fund Charge.
* See details.
†† Income payments are dependent upon the FTSE 100 Index.

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