Ascend is Hansard’s current regular premium savings plan for expats. It is sold through advisers by Hansard Worldwide and Hansard International, and it replaced older Hansard regular savings plans such as Vantage Platinum II. This page explains what Ascend is, which charges are published, which are not, and what to ask before you sign or if you already hold one.
It is general information for UK expats, not personal advice. Hansard publishes limited detail on Ascend for the public: its product page is written for advisers, and the plan’s charging rates sit in documents your adviser holds. Everything below comes from Hansard’s website and its schedule of monetary charges for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Check every figure against your own illustration.
This guide sits under our section on regular savings plans for expats. See every plan we cover on our expat savings plan reviews page.
Hansard Ascend at a glance
| Feature | Summary |
|---|---|
| Provider | Hansard Worldwide Limited or Hansard International Limited, depending on where you live and which your adviser has terms with |
| Type | Regular premium savings plan |
| Status | Current on Hansard’s website. |
| Minimum premium | From USD 150 a month, according to Hansard. Other currencies and minimums not published. |
| Allocation | 100% allocation rate |
| Bonus | A loyalty bonus for staying invested. Rates not published |
| Withdrawals | Can be taken at any time without penalty, according to Hansard |
| Funds | A range from large asset managers, described as best of breed |
How Ascend works
You pay a regular premium, monthly or at another frequency, into a unit-linked plan. The premium is invested in funds you choose, and the plan is held in a Hansard life company. Hansard describes the plan as offering a lower accumulation unit annual management charge than its earlier regular savings products, and a loyalty bonus for staying invested. It says the premium is allocated in full, a 100% allocation rate.
Plans like this normally work by building in charges across the term, then paying a bonus for those who stay. The plan term, the premium bands, the loyalty bonus rates and what happens if you stop early are not on Hansard’s public pages. Ask your adviser for the key features document and an illustration that shows the surrender value in each of the first ten years.
Charges: what is published
Hansard’s schedule of monetary charges for Hansard Worldwide, valid from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, lists these for Ascend:
| Charge | USD | GBP | EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly service charge | 10.25 | 7.50 | 9.75 |
| Paid-up service charge | 30.25 | 22.25 | 28.75 |
| Switch charge per unit fund | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Withdrawal charge | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
The schedule states that monetary charges are expressed and charged in GBP, and it lists the USD and EUR amounts without saying whether they are converted. Confirm this in your contract documents. Hansard can raise these amounts each year, normally on 1 July. Withdrawals and surrenders also carry a bank transfer charge that depends on the currency and your bank.
What is not published. The annual management charge on the units, any establishment or initial charge, the loyalty bonus rates and the early surrender terms are not in the public documents I could find. Do not compare Ascend with another plan until you have them in writing.
Adviser fees. If your plan was arranged by an adviser, ask what they receive from it, what they do in return and whether it can change.
Questions to ask before you start or stop
- What is the minimum term, and what is the loyalty bonus and when is it paid?
- What is the total annual charge on the units, including fund charges, in year one and in year ten?
- What would I get back if I stopped after one, three and five years?
- Is the plan held with Hansard Worldwide or Hansard International, and does that change my protection or tax position?
- Can I pause or reduce premiums, and what does it cost?
- What are the exit options if I move country?
Who Ascend may suit
Ascend is aimed at people who can commit to saving regularly over many years and want a funded plan from a mainstream offshore provider. It is less suitable if you may stop paying within a few years, because regular plans usually penalise early exit, or if you may return to the UK, where tax on the plan can change. A pension, ISA or UK savings account may suit some people better, and rules depend on where you live. Compare against the other plans on our savings plan reviews page, for example RL360 Regular Savings Plan and FPI Premier Advance.
If you hold an older Hansard plan
If you hold an older Hansard regular plan such as Vantage Platinum II, you may be asking whether to move to Ascend. A new plan starts a new term and may bring new charges, so it only makes sense if the figures clearly favour it after any exit cost. We can compare the two on your own numbers.
Tax for UK expats
An offshore plan does not make you tax-free. Tax depends on where you are resident when you withdraw, surrender or a claim is paid, and if you return to the UK gains can be taxed as chargeable event gains. See our guides to offshore investment bonds and inheritance tax for UK expats.
Hansard Ascend: frequently asked questions
1. What is Hansard Ascend?
Hansard’s current regular premium savings plan, sold through advisers.
2. How much do I need to save?
Hansard says from as little as USD 150 a month.
3. Is there a loyalty bonus?
Yes, for staying invested, but the rates are not published.
4. Can I take money out?
Hansard says withdrawals can be taken without penalty. The schedule shows no withdrawal charge, though a bank transfer charge applies.
5. What are the fixed charges?
A monthly service charge of USD 10.25, GBP 7.50 or EUR 9.75, as at July 2026.
6. What happens if I stop paying?
The plan becomes paid up and a paid-up service charge applies. The surrender terms are not published, so ask for them in writing.
7. Can you review my Hansard plan?
Yes. Send us your latest statement and policy documents and we will set out the costs and your options.
Get your Hansard plan reviewed
If you hold Ascend or an older Hansard plan, or are being offered one, we can show you the real cost, your exit position and the alternatives. Request a callback and we will arrange a time that suits your time zone.