Menu Search

Adviser Centre

How can we help?

  • Following the change on Index-linked Savings Certificates from RPI to CPI, are Index-linked Savings Certificates still a good investment?

    Index-linked Savings Certificates are still a popular investment with a unique combination of index-linking plus a small amount of additional interest – all tax-free. This means they will guarantee your clients inflation beating returns.

    •

  • Will the change from RPI to CPI on Index-linked Savings Certificates affect my clients’ existing Certificates?

    No, it won’t affect any existing Certificates your clients have until the end of the investment term. However, if your clients decide to renew any Certificates that mature on or after 1 May 2019, the index-linking on the renewed investments will then be calculated using CPI not RPI.

  • What is the difference between RPI and CPI (the indexes used for Index-linked Savings Certificates)?

    Both the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and the Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure inflation. Each aims to measure the changes in the cost of buying a 'basket' of products and services, but they cover different items and there are differences in the formulas used.

    To find out more about CPI and RPI, visit the Office for National Statistics website at ons.gov.uk and search CPI All Items Index or RPI All Items Index.

    ons.gov.uk

  • How will the change on Index-linked Savings Certificates from RPI to CPI affect my clients?

    Your clients will continue to receive 0.01% interest in addition to the index-linking. Here is an illustration of what your clients could expect to receive from a £1,000 investment based on the current RPI index, and what the return could be based on CPI.

    TermRPI (using January 2019 rate of 2.5%)CPI (using using January 2019 rate of 1.8%)
    2-year Index-linked Savings Certificate £1,050.83 Index-linking + 0.01% £1,036.53 Index-linking + 0.01%
    3 year Index-linked Savings Certificate £1,077.21 Index-linking + 0.01% £1,055.29 Index-linking + 0.01%
    5-year Index-linked Savings Certificate £1,131.97 Index-linking + 0.01% £1,093.85 Index-linking + 0.01%

    These are illustrations only, so they don’t take into account your clients’ individual circumstances. They assume that your clients don't make any withdrawals during the term.

    The rates of inflation can go up or down so the illustrations are not a guarantee of the return your clients will receive. The actual return your clients receive will depend on the levels of the relevant index that apply at the start and end of each investment year.

  • Why is NS&I changing the index on Index-linked Savings Certificates from RPI to CPI?

    In 2013, as a result of flaws in the way it is measured, RPI lost its status as a National Statistic. The 2015 Johnson Review of Consumer Price Statistics recommended that government and regulators should work towards ending the use of RPI as soon as practicable. Starting in 2010, successive governments have reduced their use of RPI. The indexation of direct taxes, benefits, public sector pensions, the State Pension and business rates have all moved from RPI to CPI.

    The change also helps us to balance the interests of our savers and the cost to taxpayers.

Adviser email updates

Adviser email updates offer the quickest, easiest way to stay up to date with the latest news on our products, interest rates and other important developments affecting advice firms.

In order for us to send you adviser email updates, please provide your contact details.