Along with the generous 25% bonus come rules around taking money out
Renting costs an average 2% more per month than a mortgage
The percentage of 18-40 year olds without savings for their first home
The average deposit put down by first-time buyers
There are three scenarios in which you can withdraw from your Lifetime ISA:
The home must be in the UK, it cannot cost more than ?450,000 and 12 months must have passed since your first payment into the LISA.
You can use you LISA as an extra retirement pot; you can take your savings once you reach age 60.
You can withdraw money before age 60 without paying any penalty if you are terminally ill?with less than 12 months to live.
The value of investments can fall as well as rise and any income from them is not guaranteed and you may get back less than you invested. Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
EQi does not provide investment advice. If you are in any doubt as to the risk or suitability of an investment or product you should seek advice from an independent financial adviser.
The extent and value of any ISA tax advantages or benefits will vary according to the individual's circumstances. The levels and bases of taxation may also change.
If you withdraw from your Lifetime ISA for any other reason, you'll pay a 25% penalty fee on the amount withdrawn.
So you need to be sure that you can afford to make the investments or you could lose out.
If you die, your Lifetime ISA ends on the date of your death and will form part of your estate for inheritance tax purposes. As the money will no longer be inside a Lifetime ISA wrapper, no government charge will apply on withdrawals.
A Lifetime ISA is not a flexible account so you will not be able to withdraw money and later pay it back in.
It is better to think of the Lifetime ISA as a great way to secure a bonus but recognise that it comes with restrictions.
For more information, read the HMRC rules for Lifetime ISAs.