Government Schemes and Benefits in the United Kingdom
Savings incentives, family payments, pensions and home buying help in the UK, each with a link to the official page.
Savings and Retirement
ISAs
Save or invest up to £20,000 a year with no tax on interest, dividends or gains. From 6 April 2027, no more than £12,000 of that can go into cash ISAs if you are under 65. A Junior ISA takes up to £9,000 a year for a child.
Official siteLifetime ISA
Open from 18 to 39 and pay in up to £4,000 a year until 50. The government adds 25%, up to £1,000 a year, for a first home up to £450,000 or from age 60. Other withdrawals lose a 25% charge. The government plans a new First Time Buyer ISA in its place; existing Lifetime ISAs can carry on.
Official siteHelp to Save
If you work and get Universal Credit, save £1 to £50 a month and receive a 50% bonus after two and four years, up to £1,200 in total. Open to new accounts until April 2027.
Official siteWorkplace Pensions
Your employer must enrol you if you earn at least £10,000 a year and are between 22 and State Pension age. At least 8% of qualifying earnings goes in, of which 3% or more comes from the employer.
Official siteState Pension
From State Pension age, based on your National Insurance record. You usually need 35 qualifying years for the full new State Pension. Check your forecast online.
Official sitePension Credit
Tops up weekly income for people over State Pension age on a low income, and unlocks other help. Many who qualify do not claim.
Official sitePremium Bonds
Government backed savings with NS&I that pay prizes instead of interest, tax free, up to £50,000.
Official siteFamily and Income Support
Child Benefit
A weekly payment for each child. If the higher earning parent has income over £60,000, 1% is repaid for every £200 above that, and all of it from £80,000, through the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
Official siteTax-Free Childcare
For every £8 you pay into the account, the government adds £2, up to £2,000 a year per child under 12, or £4,000 for a disabled child under 17. Reconfirm your details every three months.
Official siteFree Childcare Hours (England)
Working parents can get up to 30 hours a week of funded childcare from when a child is 9 months old, in term time.
Official siteMarriage Allowance
If one partner earns below the Personal Allowance, they can transfer £1,260 of it to a basic rate taxpayer partner, saving up to £252 a year.
Official siteUniversal Credit
A monthly payment for people on a low income or out of work, including help with housing and childcare costs.
Official siteBenefits Calculators
Free, independent calculators linked from GOV.UK show what you might be entitled to in a few minutes.
Official siteBuying a Home
Lifetime ISA for a First Home
The 25% government bonus can go towards a first home costing up to £450,000.
Official siteShared Ownership
Buy a share of a home, typically 10% to 75%, and pay rent on the rest, with the option to buy more later.
Official siteFirst Time Buyer Stamp Duty Relief
First time buyers in England and Northern Ireland pay no Stamp Duty on the first £300,000 of a home up to £500,000.
Official siteChecked October 2026. Rules and amounts change, so confirm on the official page before you rely on a figure. Who to check with in the United Kingdom.