The International Bond

Offshore Bonds explained

Offshore Bonds – commonly referred to as International Bonds – offer investors a flexible, tax-efficient way to grow and manage their wealth across borders.

As global markets evolve, these solutions can provide access to a wide range of opportunities while helping individuals and trustees manage their assets effectively.

What is the LCA International Bond?

The London & Colonial Assurance PCC Plc (LCA) International Bond is a group of identical single-premium unit-linked life assurance policies or bonds.

Quick links

Resource hub

What financial goals can the International Bond help with?

The International Bond is designed for financially secure clients looking for one or more of the following:

Capital Growth
Income Generation
Portfolio Diversification
Wealth Transfer
Tax Control

It can support any combination of these goals.

Access to investments

You can access your investment through withdrawals, which may be structured in a UK tax-efficient manner depending on your circumstances.

Access to investments is typically provided through one of the following:

Discretionary Fund Manager – a professional you ask us to appoint to manage the investment portfolio held within your International Bond.
Investment Manager – a professional or firm that manages investments on your behalf. You appoint them, subject to our acceptance. As they do not act for LCA, we are not responsible for their actions or omissions.
Platform – an investment service that allows your adviser to manage and monitor your portfolio in one place. Your adviser may use a platform, subject to our acceptance, to access a range of investments within your International Bond.

Who is the International Bond suitable for?

The International Bond may be suitable for individuals or trustees who meet all of the following criteria:

UK residents aged 18 or over. There is no upper age limit.
Those investing for the medium to long term, typically more than seven years, and who understand the risks involved.
Those using private wealth or disposable income that is not needed for day-to-day living or short-term commitments.
Those investing more than GBP 50,000/EUR 60,000/USD 70,000, and who usually make full use of their Individual Savings Account (ISA) and pension allowances.
Those investing for inheritance tax planning, estate planning, wealth creation or wealth management purposes.

Who is the International Bond not suitable for?

The International Bond is not suitable for:

Non-UK residents.
Anyone aged 17 or under.
Anyone unwilling to accept the risk of investment losses.
Anyone wanting full access to their money or a guaranteed return in the short-term.
Anyone without other savings, such as an emergency fund.
Anyone who has not used other available tax allowances, such as ISAs.

Defaqto Rated

LCA’s International Bond has achieved the highest possible Defaqto rating: 5 stars. This independent recognition signals to clients and advisers that our product stands out for its features, benefits, and terms, placing it among the very best in the market.

Defaqto is a trusted, independent service that rigorously compares financial products. Their analysts continually research and rate products based solely on objective criteria; features, benefits, and terms, excluding price and service. A 5-star rating means our Offshore Bond meets the highest standards for product quality.

Over 300 brands and 250 companies rely on Defaqto ratings. And research shows 9 out of 10 people are more likely to choose a Defaqto-rated product. Advisers trust these ratings as a benchmark for quality, making our Offshore Bond easier to recommend.

This 5-star rating demonstrates our continued efforts to deliver clear value whilst meeting clients’ needs, helping us to fulfil our obligations with confidence.

Other Products

Flexible Life Annuity

The Flexible Life Annuity ('FLA') is an investment linked purchased life annuity, and unlike a traditional purchased life annuity the FLA gives you more freedom to:

1) choose the level and frequency of income payments, at outset, and then adjust that level whenever you wish.

2) to remain invested in the market (just remember that the value of investments can fall as well as grow).

3) to add further sums of money.

Flexible Pension Annuity

The Flexible Pension Annuity ('FPA') is an investment linked lifetime pension annuity that gives you more freedom to:

1) choose the level and frequency of income payments, at outset, and then adjust that level whenever you wish.

2) to remain invested in the market (just remember that the value of investments can fall as well as grow).

3) consolidate pension pots by adding further crystallised pension assets.

Later Life Account

The Later Life Account ('LLA') is an investment linked annuity, and unlike a traditional purchased life annuity the LLA gives you more freedom to:

1) choose the level and frequency of income payments, at outset, and then adjust that level whenever you wish, including one-off payments.

2) to remain invested in the market (just remember that the value of investments can fall as well as grow).

The LLA is designed to provide sufficient funds to pay for care costs in the future.