Standard Life's International Bond reaches £1bn of assets

Standard Life has reached £1bn of assets in its International Bond making Standard Life one of the top five offshore life companies in the UK.

Key benefits of an international bond are:

We see the offshore bond as a perfect savings vehicle to sit along side pensions products (e.g. SIPP) - particularly given the increasing limitations on pensions savings vehicles.

Key benefits of offshore bonds - effectively a non pensions SIPP that gives the clients access to their capital.

Tax benefits - deferral of taxation, gross roll up, potential ability to assign all or part of the bond to a lower taxpayer, ability to use 5% withdrawals to fund things like university fees.

Investment choice - very wide investment choice

Particularly good for wrapping in a trust.

Mark Polson, said: "I am delighted to have reached this key milestone with our International Bond product. International bonds are a key part of SL's overall strategy of capital light, asset gathering products. are looking to enhance our existing market share but also grow the overall offshore bond market and make it even more of a mainstream investment for advisors and clients."