Insights

26th March 2024

With the cost of everything rising, it’s becoming increasingly hard to save money either for yourself or for your loved ones. The number of people in the UK with no savings has increased significantly since 2022. In 2023, around 12 million people have no savings at all*.  

Worrying about money can affect our mental wellbeing and our ability to manage money can be affected by a mental health issue. The two are often linked**. Being able to treat yourself, or others, using savings can provide a big boost of happiness. Especially if it’s tax-free. 

That’s why we offer our Tax-Exempt Savings Plan (TESP), an affordable and tax-efficient way to save regularly for the future. You can save for yourself, or your children or grandchildren. And the money can be used to help fund anything.  

How does it work? 

TESPs are exclusive to friendly societies, like us. Our plans are available for anyone over the age of 16 to buy for themselves, or they can be taken out as a gift for a child or grandchild. 

You can choose to save £10, £15 or £25 a month. Even though £25 is the maximum you can save tax-free with a TESP, this can be split across multiple policies as long as they don’t combine to be over £25 a month. This means you could save with multiple policies.  

When you take one out, you’ll choose the number of complete years you want it to run for before it pays out to the child, and this will be between 10 and 25 years. And you’re guaranteed a tax-free amount paid back at the end of the term you chose to save for. 

It’s a great way to take advantage of a tax-efficient investment, especially for those who’d like to invest in stocks and shares but don’t want to take the risk of investing directly. We’ll manage the investment for you.  

What can it be used for? 

You have the freedom to spend your savings on whatever you’d like. This may include: 

  • A holiday or travelling  

  • Home renovations  

  • Weddings 

  • A boost in retirement  

Or, if you’re saving as a gift for a child or grandchild, it may be used toward: 

  • University funds 

  • Their first car  

  • A house deposit 

  • Their first holiday with friends 

Overall, it’s a friendly way to save some money for the future, in a steady and secure way. 

Ready to start saving? 

If you’re ready to start saving, our online application process is quick and easy. Apply here today. 

If you’d prefer a chat about your options, please give us a call on 0333 014 6244 and we’ll be happy to help. You can also find additional information on our dedicated TESP page. 

*www.finder.com/uk/saving-statistics#how-many-people-have-no-savings-at-all 

**www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/lifes-challenges/money-worries-mental-health 

Latest Insights

Insights

The importance of Income protection

01/10/2024

Neil Thompson, our own Product Development and Training Manager talks about his thoughts on Income Protection and the value it can bring to someone’s life.
Insights

Cover: Consumer Duty: What the younger generation want

30/09/2024

Engaging the younger generation as part of Consumer Duty considerations involves engaging your own employees first Engaging 18 to 30-year-olds as part of Consumer Duty considerations could extend…
Insights

Understanding life insurance and suicide

13/08/2024

Understanding life insurance and suicide  We recognise that suicide can be a difficult topic to talk about. More than 6,000 people die by suicide in the UK and…
Insights

A friendly way to save

26/03/2024

With the cost of everything rising, it’s becoming increasingly hard to save money either for yourself or for your loved ones. The number of people in the…
Insights

Give the gift of savings with a TESP

19/12/2023

Are you having trouble finding the perfect gift for your child or grandchild? Or are you interested in surprising your loved ones with a gift that will bring…
Insights

Dealing with grief at Christmas 

04/12/2023

Christmas can be a time for celebration, family get-togethers and festive traditions. But, for those going through bereavement or suffering from grief, it can be an overwhelming…
Insights

Movember and exploring the mental health challenges men over 50 often face

16/11/2023

Did you know November is Men's Health Month? It’s a time to focus on improving men's health worldwide. On average, Men are dying 4.5 years earlier than women,…
Insights

Let’s talk financial wellbeing during Talk Money Week

07/11/2023

Talking about money and our financial well-being can sometimes feel embarrassing, taboo, or even awkward, even though it’s a crucial part of our lives. According to the Money…
Insights

Cover: PMI - Bringing Affordable Healthcare to the Masses

09/08/2023

With the National Health Service (NHS) facing relentless demand, it's time for the private medical insurance (PMI) sector to help fill the gap. However, while long waiting lists…
Insights

IFA: Conversations with an Underwriter – Understanding the Diabetes dilemma

14/07/2023

Following National Friendly’s discussion last month on a fresh approach to underwriting, National Friendly sat down with Jake Watts, Disability & Development Underwriter, to learn more about underwriting…
Insights

Health and Protection: Avoid a ‘veneer of inclusivity’ with a toxic culture underneath – Long

06/06/2023

Sam Long, assistant risk and assurance officer at National Friendly, speaks to Health & Protection about how the financial services sector is less diverse than other industries, but…
Insights

Cover: Protect your biggest investment with Income Protection

27/04/2023

When someone buys a property, it is likely the biggest purchase of their life, yet most people don't go to the appropriate lengths to protect their investment. Mortgage…
Insights

Cover: Opening the conversation on later care annuities

11/04/2023

National Friendly explains the importance of discussing later-life care, and how later-life care annuity works. Of all the financial planning we can do perhaps the least talked about…
Insights

Cover: Industry Voice - Changing the conversation on later life care

30/01/2023

Planning for elderly care might not be a cheery topic for an adviser's client, but it is certainly a pertinent one. In 2021-2022 there were an estimated 360,793…
Insights

Cover: The new, young face of income protection

04/01/2023

Why does a healthy person need income protection? Employment contracts typically include a fixed number of sick days where the employee continues to get paid when they're unable…
Insights

Cover: Partner Insight - Neil Thompson - Maslow's Pyramid - The unexpected benefits of insurance

25/10/2022

Why do people need insurance? Customers typically look to insurance products such as income protection to protect their financial security, however, there are knock-on quality-of-life benefits that often…
Insights

Mutuality and why you need to know who owns your insurance company

09/05/2022

A mutual is a company, typically an insurer or building society, which is owned by their members, and operated for their benefit. They compete head-on with the more…
Insights

Bristol Business News: The Last Word with Oliver Jones

22/02/2022

Each week Bristol Business News gives a prominent member of the city’s business community the last word on its weekly e-bulletin. This week Oliver Jones, Head of Sales…