Access Portfolio is Investors Trust’s lump sum portfolio bond. It holds stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds and structured notes inside one wrapper, and comes in several series with different charge and surrender patterns. This page explains how those series differ, what they cost, and what leaving early involves.
It is general information for UK expats, not personal advice. The figures come from Investors Trust’s Access product profile, version 2024-06. Some of its surrender figures do not add up, which the page points out. Check everything against your own illustration.
This guide sits under our section on offshore investment bonds for expats. For Investors Trust’s regular plans, see our Evolution review.
Investors Trust Access at a glance
| Feature | Summary |
|---|---|
| Provider | Investors Trust, rated A- (Excellent) by AM Best |
| Type | Lump sum portfolio bond |
| Status | . Not available to US citizens or residents |
| Series | 5000 Series, 8000 Series, Access Portfolio Plus, and a higher-minimum Access Select |
| Minimum investment | USD 75,000, EUR 75,000 or GBP 50,000. Access Select from USD 250,000, EUR 250,000 or GBP 150,000 |
| Currencies | USD, EUR and GBP |
| Assets | Stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds and structured notes |
| Death benefit | 101% of the cash surrender value, subject to limitations |
What is Access Portfolio?
Access is a portfolio bond: you pay a lump sum, and then hold investments directly inside the policy rather than being limited to a short fund list. You can hold an unlimited number of investments, transfer existing holdings in at no cost, invest with cash or combine both, and appoint a discretionary investment adviser if you wish.
Because you choose what the bond holds, it can be treated as a personal portfolio bond for UK tax purposes if you become UK resident. The tax section below explains why that matters.
Who it may suit, and who it may not
It may suit you if:
- You have at least GBP 50,000 and want to hold individual investments in an offshore wrapper.
- You want to transfer existing holdings in without selling them first.
- You are comfortable choosing between a series with high early charges and one with none.
It may not suit you if:
- You may need the money back in the first five to eight years on the 5000 or 8000 Series.
- You could become UK resident and hold the bond with the assets you choose.
- You only want a few funds, where a fund bond may be cheaper.
The series compared
| 5000 Series | 8000 Series | Access Portfolio Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual administration charge | 0.45% a quarter (1.8% a year) for the first 5 years | 0.30% a quarter (1.2% a year) for the first 8 years | 0.25% a quarter (1.0% a year) for the life of the policy |
| Policy fee, quarterly | USD 180, EUR 180 or GBP 112.50 | USD 180, EUR 180 or GBP 112.50 | USD 90, EUR 90 or GBP 55 |
| Surrender charge | Starts at 9%, falling daily to nil at the end of year 5 | Starts at 9.6%, falling daily to nil at the end of year 8 | None |
The profile’s listed surrender schedule for the 5000 Series is 7.2% in year 1, then 5.4%, 3.6%, 1.8% and nil, which does not match the stated 9% starting point. For the 8000 Series it lists 8.4% in year 1 falling by 1.2% a year. Treat the schedule as something to confirm with Investors Trust. On Access Select, surrender charges apply only to premiums paid.
The trade-off is straightforward. The 5000 and 8000 Series charge more for a few years and then become cheaper, but penalise early exit. Plus has no surrender charge but charges 1.0% a year for as long as you hold it. Over a long hold the series with the lowest total cost may be different from the one with the lowest charge on day one.
Other charges
| Charge | Rate |
|---|---|
| Trading: stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, structured notes | USD 50, EUR 50 or GBP 40 per trade |
| Trading: bonds | USD 100, EUR 100 or GBP 80 per trade |
| Establishment, currency exchange and asset transfer charges | Nil |
| Overdraft interest | 8% on negative cash balances |
| Card payments | 3.5% processing fee |
| Fund charges and adviser fees | Separate from the above |
Trading charges add up quickly in an actively managed portfolio. A fund held for years costs little in trading fees, but a portfolio traded often can cost far more. Ask for an estimate based on how you plan to use the bond.
Minimum amounts
| Item | USD / EUR | GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum contribution | 75,000 | 50,000 |
| Top-up | 7,500 | 5,000 |
| Mutual funds, per holding | 5,000 | 4,000 |
| Bonds, per holding | 10,000 | 8,000 |
| Stocks, ETFs and structured notes | No minimum | No minimum |
Withdrawals and leaving
Partial withdrawals are free as long as the net surrender value stays at or above USD 15,000, EUR 15,000 or GBP 10,000. A full surrender is allowed at any time, subject to the surrender charge on the series you hold. On Plus, redemptions carry a minimum 1% administration charge during the first 12 months.
Death benefit
The death benefit is 101% of the cash surrender value, subject to limitations in the policy terms. How it is paid, and how it is treated for tax, depends on ownership and whether the bond is in trust. See our guide to wills and trusts for UK expats.
Tax for UK expats
Access is issued offshore, which does not make it tax-free for you. Tax depends on where you are resident when you take money out. Because you choose the investments inside Access, it may be a personal portfolio bond if you become UK resident, which can bring an annual tax charge on its value. Take advice before you return. See our guides to offshore investment bonds and inheritance tax for UK expats.
Investors Trust Access: frequently asked questions
1. Is Access Portfolio still available?
Confirm with Investors Trust or your adviser.
2. What is the minimum investment?
USD 75,000, EUR 75,000 or GBP 50,000. Access Select needs USD 250,000, EUR 250,000 or GBP 150,000.
3. What can I hold inside Access?
Stocks, bonds, ETFs, mutual funds and structured notes, with no limit on the number of investments.
4. What is the difference between the series?
The 5000 and 8000 Series have higher early charges and surrender penalties that fall to nil after 5 or 8 years. Plus has no surrender charge but a 1.0% annual administration charge for life.
5. Can I transfer my existing investments in?
Yes, at no charge.
6. Can I take money out?
Yes. Partial withdrawals are free while the net surrender value stays above the minimum.
7. What is the UK tax risk?
If you become UK resident, a personal portfolio bond can face an annual tax charge.
8. Can you review my Access bond?
Yes. Send us your latest statement and policy documents and we will set out the costs and your options.
Get your Access bond reviewed
If you hold Access or are being offered it, we can show you the real cost, the surrender position and the alternatives. Request a callback and we will arrange a time that suits your time zone.