Ask the expert: Is this a hack for contributing £29,000 to an ISA?

A reader inquired about the possibility of investing £29,000 in tax-efficient ISAs within a single tax year. Fidelity personal financial specialist Marianna Hunt confirmed this is indeed feasible under certain circumstances.

If your grandson turns 18 during the tax year, he can contribute up to £9,000 to a Junior ISA before his birthday. This is followed by the full adult ISA allowance of £20,000 after his 18th birthday. In total, he could invest £29,000 into tax-efficient ISAs within the same tax year, surpassing the usual £20,000 limit for an adult investment ISA.

The recipient should consider where to invest based on when he expects to use the money. If he plans to keep the funds untouched for at least five to ten years, a simple low-cost fund that passively tracks global stock markets is often the most straightforward option. Numerous such funds are available, and when selecting one, pay attention to ongoing charges and the specific global stock market index it tracks.

The FTSE Global All Cap and MSCI World indices are two examples. The FTSE Global All Cap includes smaller companies and companies in emerging markets, whereas the MSCI World excludes these. Young investors with a long investment horizon may be comfortable taking on more risk, as companies in emerging markets and smaller companies can offer higher potential rewards despite carrying higher risk. However, there are no assurances in any investment.

Your grandson may wish to gain exposure to these higher-risk, higher-reward areas by selecting a global tracker fund that includes them. Alternatively, he could opt for more specialized funds focused on emerging markets and/or smaller companies, alongside his global tracker fund. Fidelity's Fidelity Select 50 list includes several options for these types of funds, such as the Lazard Emerging Markets Fund and the Fidelity Asian Smaller Companies Fund.

Regularly reviewing the investment portfolio is crucial to ensure it continues to align with his time horizon and goals. Offering to assist your grandson with an annual review could serve as a bonding activity and enable you to monitor the growth of his generous gift over time. Remember, this is not financial advice, and seeking guidance from a qualified financial adviser is recommended if uncertain about the most suitable options.