Guaranteed Five Year Fixed Rate Bond

If you’re aged over 18, work or have worked for the UK Police Service, or you’re the partner or close relative of such a person, you can open a Guaranteed Five Year Fixed Rate Bond.

You must be resident in the UK. You will be ‘resident’ if you have spent a minimum of 183 days in the tax year of signing the application or you perform duties which by virtue of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 (Crown employees serving overseas) are treated as being performed in the UK, or you are married to, or in a civil partnership with, a person who carries out those duties.

Can other family members apply for Guaranteed Five Year Fixed Rate Bond?

Yes, serving or retired police officers, police staff and their families who want a fixed return on their lump sum investment can apply.  Please see section 2.1 of the Important Information Document (PDF) for more detail on eligibility.

Can I invest in a Bond on a child’s behalf?

No, the applicant must be aged 18 or above and funds will be paid out on maturity to the policyholder. You may choose to invest in a Bond and subsequently gift the proceeds to another person following UK tax laws. If this is the case, you may wish to seek advice from an independent financial advisor. 

The Guaranteed Five Year Fixed Rate Bond is a life insurance savings plan, which will guarantee to return a 4.5% per year for a fixed term of five years.

This product could be suitable for you if:

• You are 18 years of age or above
• You wish to invest a lump sum of between £10,000 and £250,000 for a period of five years.
• You want to know exactly how much money you’ll get back, guaranteed, in five years’ time.

• You are happy to lock your investment away for a full five years – this is what guarantees the fixed annual interest rate of 4.5%. You can only access the Bond in exceptional circumstances (please see section 2.5 of the Important Information Document (PDF) for more details).

• You understand that higher or additional rate taxpayers may be liable for tax on any gains.
• You want a guaranteed minimum benefit if you die prior to maturity of the policy.
• If you are unsure about anything at all, including whether you are eligible for this product, please contact our friendly Member Services team on 01689 891454 or email [email protected] 

How much will it cost for advice?

Our priority is to provide products designed to improve your financial security. Our staff are not paid commission, and do not offer or give financial advice.  The cost of providing verbal or written information about this product is included in our overall expenses.

You can open a Guaranteed Five Year Fixed Rate Bond online via our website, over the phone or by completing a paper application form. Payment can be made by bank transfer or a cheque made payable to MPFS Ltd.

All online payments and cheques must be received within 14 days of a completed application, after which your application may be cancelled, and you may need to reapply.  Metfriendly reserve the right to withdraw or amend the product prior to policy issue.  

How much can I invest?

The minimum amount you can invest into the Guaranteed Five Year Fixed Rate Bond is £10,000, up to £250,000. You won’t be able to make any additional contributions once you have invested your initial amount. However, you can open additional Bonds subject to the maximum limit of £250,000 per member, irrespective of the number of Bonds you have opened.     

Is it possible for more than one person to transfer money to create the Bond investment? 

Yes, our Member Services team will be able to help.  Contact them on 01689 891454 or email [email protected] to find the best way to set up the Bond.

Should I transfer funds from my ISA?

It is important you understand the features and benefits of available products and consider how they will meet your savings needs.  The details of all of our products are available on our website and our friendly Member Services team is available on 01689 891454 or email [email protected] to discuss your options.

When your application is accepted with us, we will send you a notice to confirm this. From the date of that notice being sent, you will have 30 days in which to cancel your Guaranteed Five Year Fixed Rate Bond and your money will be returned to an agreed account in the name of policyholder.   After 30 days, your investment will be locked away until the end of the five-year term, unless in exceptional circumstances. See “When can my money be accessed?” below.

We use your money to invest in a mix of assets that enable us to provide you with a return of your lump sum and the guaranteed growth over the term of your investment. See section 2.4 in the Important Information Document (PDF) for more on what you will receive at maturity.

What are the charges?

Our fees and charges are factored into the returns provided by the bond.

There will be no Capital Gains Tax. Where you are a non or basic rate taxpayer, there will be no Income Tax payable for this plan, however, it is worth noting that you may have to pay higher-rate or additional rate income tax depending on your personal circumstances. Please see section 2.6 of the Important Information Document (PDF) for more detail.

The Bond is fixed for five years and can only be accessed at Maturity.  Funds cannot be withdrawn during the five-year holding period unless in exceptional circumstances, diagnosis of a terminal illness or on death (see sections 2.5 and 2.9 of the Important Information Document (PDF) for more information).

Should you die prior to maturity, then a death benefit will be paid to your estate.

If you are diagnosed with a terminal illness*, then the terminal illness benefit will be paid to you.

For more details regarding the level of benefit paid, please refer to section 2.9 of the Important Information Document (PDF).

* A definite terminal illness diagnosis by the attending Consultant where the illness either has no known cure or has progressed to the point where it cannot be cured; and in the opinion of the attending Consultant, the illness is expected to lead to death within 12 months.

Yes. Any money invested with Metfriendly is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. The maximum level of compensation is currently 100% of the claim with no upper limit (correct at time of publishing – September 2023). The actual level of compensation you receive will depend on the basis of your claim.