AJ Bell partners with Standard Life to provide new offshore bond on Investcentre platform

AJ Bell Investcentre is pleased to announce the launch of a new offshore bond in partnership with Standard Life, further broadening its suite of tax planning solutions for advisers and clients.

The Standard Life International Bond will be available to advisers using AJ Bell Investcentre via a General Investment Account (GIA), providing advisers and clients with an open architecture structure and wrapper that allows client money to grow tax efficiently, alongside greater control over tax planning and reporting.

With plans to bring unused pensions into inheritance tax from April 2027, as well as a series of other increases to tax rates and changes of allowances in the past few years, advisers and clients are increasingly looking for alternative ways to protect wealth. Advisers will be able to use the bond as part of a suite of estate and tax planning solutions and tools through AJ Bell Investcentre, including other offshore bonds, an onshore bond and trusts.

Clients also have greater flexibility to alter their investment strategies within the bond without triggering capital gains tax, and can take out up to 5% of the total amount paid into the bond each year, but do not need to pay tax until a later date. Advisers can structure this around clients’ needs and tax situation.

Research from AJ Bell and Ad Lucem in May found that almost nine-in-ten advisers believe the tax wrapper decision making process has become more complex in the past three years, with a further 79% saying they would use a wrapper decision framework if one existed*.

AJ Bell, in partnership with Technical Connection, has created a practical wrapper reset framework and ‘Great Wrapper Reset’ resource hub, including tips for effective wrapper conversations developed with behavioural science firm Cowry, to ensure advisers are equipped to help clients make good decisions. Further wrapper support is available to advisers through AJ Bell’s Technical team.

*Source: Research conducted by Ad Lucem on behalf of AJ Bell. Based on a sample of 350 financial advisers and 150 paraplanners from the UK, carried out online in May 2026.

Mark Rendle, AJ Bell advised managing director, says:

“Advisers and clients face a growing challenge to protect and pass on wealth efficiently in the current tax environment, and it is up to providers to ensure that the correct tools and support are available. The launch of a new offshore bond on the AJ Bell Investcentre platform in partnership with Standard Life will deliver yet another option for advisers.

“Not only does it provide clients with greater flexibility and tax efficient investment growth, but also better control over tax planning and reporting. Alongside our range of wrappers, including trusts, other offshore bonds and an onshore bond link, advisers can be confident that we are catering to a diverse range of tax and estate planning needs to help them provide the best outcomes for clients and truly feel good advising.”

Lesley Whyte, head of strategic partnerships at Standard Life, adds:

“We're delighted to partner with AJ Bell to launch the Standard Life International Bond on the Investcentre platform. As estate planning becomes an increasingly important consideration for clients with the upcoming IHT changes, advisers are looking for more tax-efficient solutions that offer flexibility and support a range of needs. The new offering gives advisers access to a broad range of trusts, combined with the benefits of a leading platform and the support and expertise of both Standard Life and AJ Bell.”

How are offshore bonds different to onshore bonds?

An offshore bond is issued outside the UK, whereas an onshore bond is issued by UK-based life insurance companies.

This means offshore bonds are not subject to UK corporation tax, whereas onshore bonds are subject to the tax on interest, income and gains. Offshore bond returns grow gross of tax, excluding unreclaimable withholding tax.

Gains in both offshore and onshore bonds are treated as savings income, taxed at the investor’s marginal rate. However, onshore bonds are treated as having paid tax on the gain at the basic rate already, as the underlying fund is taxed. This means only higher and additional rate taxpayers will pay tax on any savings income generated in an onshore bond.

Top-slicing relief – where clients spread gains over the bond’s lifetime to reduce the tax rate – may be available for both offshore and onshore bonds, but will depend on the individual’s circumstances. Withdrawals can be made up to 5% of the value of premiums paid into offshore and onshore bonds each year, with the tax deferred to allow for flexible income planning.

Advisers can manage investments in an AJ Bell Investcentre GIA held within either offshore or onshore bonds.