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Inheritance ISA

Important:

We're asking everyone not to visit us in branch unless it's absolutely necessary. That means you can only apply for an Inheritance ISA by post, if you're already a Nationwide member. Just order an application pack to get started. Otherwise, some of our other savings accounts can be opened online. See all our savings accounts.

Why choose an Inheritance ISA?

If your husband, wife or civil partner passes away, the money they have in any ISAs becomes part of their estate and settled in their will.

But you could also use your partner’s ISA to make the most of your own tax-free savings. Here’s how an Inheritance ISA works.

Each year the government sets a limit on how much you can save in your ISA, tax-free. This is called an ‘allowance’, which for the 2021/22 tax year is £20,000.

Let’s say your partner had £5,000 in their ISA. That means your allowance this year would be the normal £20,000, which you save in your ISA, plus their £5,000 as an extra allowance, which you save separately in your Inheritance ISA. So altogether, you could save up to £25,000 this year, tax-free.

This page will give you an idea of how an Inheritance ISA works.

Interest rate

0.01% to 0.05% AER/tax-free (variable)

Access to your money

Make withdrawals at any time

Manage your money

Online and in branch

Designed for:

  • Savers who want instant access to their money
  • Savers whose husband, wife or civil partner passed away with ISA savings

Not designed for:

  • Savers whose partner passed away over 3 years ago and their estate has been settled for over 180 days
  • Savers who were separated from their partner at the time of passing

Information:

Eligibility criteria apply

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Account details

Information:

This Summary Box sets out the key features of the savings account. For full details, please read the account terms and conditions.

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Setting up an Inheritance ISA

Apply in just four steps.

  1. Register your partner’s death with us

    You’ll need your partner’s death certificate or a certified copy of it.

  2. Register your inherited ISA allowance

    Just order our Inheritance ISA pack online or pick one up in branch.

  3. Start saving in your Inheritance ISA

    Make your first deposit and start saving more, tax free

  4. Close your Inheritance ISA

    Move your money to another account

Before you start

Note:

Before you apply, please make sure you read the Summary Box and Terms and Conditions in full and print or save a copy for reference

Summary Financial Statement

When you open an account with us, we need to let you know about our most recent summary financial statement and auditors' report. Our summary financial statement is published in our Review of the Year document PDF, 5.9MB (opens in a new window). You can find our latest annual report and accounts, including our auditors' report, on our Results and Accounts page.

Member Prize Draw

When you save with us you become a Nationwide member. Eligible members are automatically entered into our monthly Member Prize Draw. Age 18 and over, living in England, Scotland and Wales only (prize draw rules apply).

Apply for Inheritance ISA

Yes, I’d like an Inheritance ISA packNo, I’d like to know more

Download or print the account documents

Other Important Information

Charitable assignment
Declaration
Withdrawal limits

Savings and ISA help

Useful guides to help you manage your account and understand the different ways to save.

Savings help

Protecting your money

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (opens in a new window) (FSCS) is a free, independent service that protects up to £85,000 of your eligible money at Nationwide.

Find out more about the FSCS – PDF, 688KB (opens in a new window)