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Latest Pension Commentary

Cash solutions for your pension fund

James Caldwell / 18 May 2012

With stock markets as uncertain as they are with continued uncertainty about the future of the Euro, what next is the question many investors will be asking and particularly those invested in pensio... Read more

State pension age rise to 67 will impact 8 million people earlier than expected

James Caldwell / 30 November 2011

In the Autumn statement yesterday George Osborne announced that the planned increase in state pension retirement age from 66 to 67 would be brought forward from 2036 to 2028. This move is expected t... Read more

Shopping around for an annuity to be made easier - ABI

Emma Thompson / 06 October 2011

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has launched a new initiative that is designed to make it easier for people reaching the age of retirement to shop around for an annuity to ensure that they... Read more

Latest Newsletter Articles

M&G takes top spot

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 17 April 2012

M&G has enjoyed pride of place so far this year as a top performing investment house, not only taking 3 of our Top 10 fund picks for ISA season but also taking the number one slot for the most m... Read more

New ISA season new investment opportunities

James Caldwell / 13 April 2012

For Savers and Investors the new 2012/13 tax year which started on 6th April 2012 brings with it new ISA allowance thresholds which have been set by HM Treasury. For Cash ISA savers £5,640 can... Read more

ISAs overtake pensions in popularity

Colm Hebblethwaite / 12 April 2012

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has released figures that show that people in the UK have put more money into stocks and shares ISAs than personal pensions. 2010/11 saw around £15.84 ... Read more

Investment Focus

Investment Focus: Gilliat Income Builder Plus

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 15 May 2012

Of all the investment themes, income is consistently at the forefront of the investor’s mind, whether you are working and need to supplement your earnings, or retired and looking to add to you... Read more

Investment Focus: Gilliat Deposit Kick Out Plan

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 15 November 2011

Finding a product that offers an attractive solution in the current economic climate is certainly a challenge. However, despite some of the most challenging conditions ever seen, we take a look at o... Read more

Investment Focus: Gilliat Deposit Kick Out Plan

Oliver Roylance-Smith / 20 September 2011

Finding a product that offers an attractive solution in the current economic climate is certainly a challenge. However, despite some of the most challenging conditions ever seen, we take a look at o... Read more

Defined Return Pension Options

Pension Investment – Defined Returns

Structured Investments can offer the potential to be defined returns pension options, as they offer term investment or deposit options with the potential for a defined return, with varying levels of risk to your capital.


There are two broad types of Structured Investments which can potentially be defined return pension options.

  • Structured Deposits - are cash based term deposits that offer capital protection similar to a fixed term bond. This type of deposit will pay a potential defined level of interest often linked to the performance of an index like the FTSE 100 over a specific period of time.
  • Structured Investment Plans - are investment based and capital will normally be at risk. This type of investment plan will pay a potential defined level of return often linked to the performance of an index like the FTSE 100 over a specific period of time.
Growth Structured Deposits
ProviderPlan NameDeposit TakerISA OptionTermMaximum Potential ReturnMore Info
FTSE 100 3 Year Deposit Plan Investec Bank plcyes3 years17.25%More Info >
  • 3 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • Target return of 17.25%
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
Deposit Kick OutRoyal Bank of Scotland plcyesUp to 6 years9.50%
per annum		More Info >
  • Structured deposit plan with a term of up to 6 years
  • Capital protected
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for Cash ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Returns linked to the performance of 5 FTSE 100 Companies
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
Growth Deposit PlanRoyal Bank of Scotland plcyes6 Years7.60%
per annum		More Info >
  • 6 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • Available for Cash ISA & Cash ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Growth is not guaranteed
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
FTSE 100 Kick Out Deposit Plan - Option 2Investec Bank plcyesUp to
5 years		6.00%
per annum		More Info >
  • 5 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • Potential for early maturity after years 2,3 and 4
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
FTSE 100 Deposit Growth PlanInvestec Bank plcyes5 yearsNo limitMore Info >
  • 5 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • Potential to return 1.05 x FTSE 100 growth
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
Growth Deposit BondCater Allenyes6 years50%More Info >
  • 6 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • Target return of 9.00% or if greater 1 x any FTSE 100 growth (capped at 50%)
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
Enhanced Growth PlanSantander UK plcyes6 years40%More Info >
  • 6 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • 4 x any rise in the FTSE 100 capped at 40%
  • Available as a Cash ISA & for Cash ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
Annual Locked-In Return PlanSantander UK plcyes6 years39%More Info >
  • 6 year structured deposit plan
  • Capital protected
  • 6.5% potential annual return
  • Available for Cash ISAs & Cash ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
FTSE Protected Growth Plan yes6 years35%More Info >
  • 6 year structured investment plan
  • Capital protected
  • Potential for early maturity growth return of 35%
  • Available for ISA transfers
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
Important Information: Structured deposits offer you the potential to earn higher returns than you would with a regular savings account. Your returns are based on the performance of an index or commodity. If the investment does not perform well you may receive no income or capital growth, but you can be confident that your capital will be repaid. You have no access to your deposit during the term of the account, typically 3 to 6 years but your original capital will be repaid in full at the end of the term. In the event that the deposit taker is unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated you may be entitled to compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) depending on your individual circumstances.

Whilst structured deposit plans are capital protected, you may not get back the full amount of your initial investment if the plan is not held for the full term. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan or any company associated with the plan may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Structured Investments are designed to deliver a potential defined level of either income or growth but carry higher levels of risk to your capital.

Investing for Growth - Structured Investment Plans
ProviderPlan NameCounterpartyISA OptionTermMaximum Potential ReturnMore Info
FTSE 100 Enhanced Kick Out Plan Investec VersionInvestec Bank plcyesUp to
5 years		13%
per annum		More Info >
  • 5 year structured investment plan
  • Potential for early maturity after years 1,2,3 and 4
  • ISA transfers allowed
  • Also available to businesses, charities & trusts
  • Capital at risk
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
FTSE Defensive Bonus PlanMorgan StanleyyesUp to 6 years9.50%
per annum		More Info >
  • 6 year structured investment plan
  • Potential early maturity return of 9.50% x the number of years the plan has been active 
  • ISA transfers allowed
  • Also available to businesses, charities and trusts
  • Capital at risk
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
Early Bonus PlanAbbey National Treasury Services plcyesUp to 6 years9%
per annum		More Info >
  • 6 year structured investment plan
  • Potential for early maturity after years 1,2,3,4 and 5
  • ISA transfers allowed
  • Also available to businesses, charities & trusts
  • Capital at risk
  • Plan designed to be held for full term
  • May close early if oversubscribed
Important Information: Structured investment plans are not capital protected and are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) for default alone. Income and growth returns are not guaranteed. There is a risk of losing some or all of your initial investment due to the performance of the underlying Index or commodity. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan known as the Counterparty may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated.

Some structured investment plans are not capital protected and there may be the risk of losing some or all of your initial investment. There is also a risk that the company backing the plan or any company associated with the plan may be unable to repay your initial investment and any returns stated, in which case you will not be entitled to compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

In addition, you may not get back the full amount invested if the plan is not held for the full term. You should ensure you are fully aware of any risks prior to making a decision on investing.

 Important Risk Information:

This website contains information only and does not constitute advice or a personal recommendation in any way whatsoever. The value of investments and income from them can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the full amount invested. The tax efficiency of ISAs is based on current tax law and there is no guarantee that tax rules will stay the same in the future.

Different types of investment carry different levels of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure that you read the Important Risk Information for further details. Prior to making any decision to invest, you should ensure that you are familiar with the risks associated with a particular investment and should read the product literature. If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of a particular investment, both in respect of its objectives and its risk profile, you should seek independent financial advice.

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