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Our app makes it easy to keep an eye on your pension and plan for the future.
Ready-Made Investments
Low cost investing, managed by our experts. Only for existing Scottish Widows customers.
Start investing in our app
How our Ready-Made Investments work
Please remember that the value of investments and the income from them can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you invest. If you’re not sure about investing, seek financial advice. There will normally be a charge for that advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.
Are Ready-Made Investments right for you?
We’ve made it simple to start investing, with three clear fund options managed by our experts. Learn more about investing.
- You can start with as little as £50 a month or a £500 lump sum. But keep in mind that if you have less than around £1,000 in your account, you could face a loss due to fees.
- Need instant access? You can take your money whenever you want. But to give it a chance to grow and ride out any ups and downs in the market, it's typically better to leave it untouched for at least five years.
Keep in mind, our Ready-Made Investments are designed for the medium to long-term, and are not a substitute for cash savings. We recommend you leave your money invested for around five years. You should still make sure you have 'rainy day' cash savings to cover unplanned expenses and emergencies. It's always worth regularly reviewing your goals.
Choose your investment fund
We know that your circumstances and view of risk can change over time. That’s why you can switch between funds whenever you like. Once you’re set up, you can even spread your money over all three. Learn more about risk and reward.
More information about funds and charges
For more information about the three funds and how much you’ll be charged, including transaction charges, you can read our fund range and investments guide (PDF, 208KB). It contains details of how the funds are managed, their objectives and risks, and a detailed breakdown of the ongoing and transaction charges.
Investments are sold at a minimum value of £10. All remaining sales proceeds, after the £3 fee has been paid, will be held as cash in your account and will be used to contribute to future monthly fees. We’re waiving the £3 fee until 2 January 2026.
Past performance of our funds
See how our funds have performed over the last five years.
Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
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This graph explains how our funds have performed over the last five years. This is to help you understand how the funds have performed over the longer term. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The performance data includes the ongoing charge and all transaction costs within the fund, but does not include the £3 monthly account fee.
The last available price for each fund is shown with this graph. It is usually the price from the previous trading day. If you decide to invest in one of our funds, your trade will be sent to the fund manager and you’ll get the price given on the next available valuation point for this fund, which could be higher or lower than the price shown here.
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This table explains how our funds have performed over the last five years. This is to help you understand how the funds have performed over the longer term. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The performance data includes the ongoing charge and all transaction costs within the fund, but does not include the £3 monthly account fee.
This table explains how our funds have performed over the last five years Date
Cautious
Balanced
Adventurous
Date
31 Dec 2023 to 31 Dec 2024
Cautious
5.9%
Balanced
9.4%
Adventurous
12.6%
Date
31 Dec 2022 to 31 Dec 2023
Cautious
8.6%
Balanced
9.9%
Adventurous
11.0%
Date
31 Dec 2021 to 31 Dec 2022
Cautious
-12.3%
Balanced
-8.9%
Adventurous
-7.0%
Date
31 Dec 2020 to 31 Dec 2021
Cautious
3.5%
Balanced
8.2%
Adventurous
12.5%
Date
31 Dec 2019 to 31 Dec 2020
Cautious
4.0%
Balanced
2.3%
Adventurous
1.9%
Choose your investment account
With Ready-Made Investments, you can invest your money in an Investment ISA or General Investment Account. There’s benefits to both types of accounts depending on your situation.
Apply for a Ready-Made Investments account
Scottish Widows Ready-Made Investments are provided by Embark Investments Services Limited (‘Embark’). They invest in assets managed by Scottish Widows Unit Trust Managers Limited. If you choose to invest, we’ll share your details with Embark. This is to help us during the application process.
Investing basics
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Investing is different from putting your cash in a savings account to earn interest. You’re essentially buying investments, for example, shares in a company, that you think you’ll be able to sell for a higher price later.
There are risks with any type of investment. Your money could lose value and you may not get back what you put in. -
A fund is a package of investments. Your money is invested with other people's money in one fund.
Our funds are managed by a fund manager. They’re responsible for the mix of assets in the fund, and for giving you the best possible returns.
Learn more about funds. -
When you invest in a fund, your money and risk are spread in many different places. This is known as ‘diversification.’
Let’s say that some assets in a fund aren’t doing well. If the other assets are doing well, this could help to reduce any potential losses. -
With ready made Investments you can invest in funds with a Cautious, Balanced or Adventurous investment style. See how our funds have performed in the past.
Whilst all investments carry some risk, this varies. Lower risk investments tend to be more stable and experience less volatility (ups and downs) but this comes with more limited opportunity for growth. Higher risk investments can provide the potential for higher returns but they may also experience more significant ups and downs.
It's important to remember fluctuations are a normal part of investing. Deciding on how much risk you are willing to take is a personal choice and can depend on a few things, such as:
- how long you’re planning to leave your money invested for
- the length of time you want to invest for (Time Horizon), as the longer it is invested for the more chance the investment has to ride out the ups and downs
- how much other income you have to fall back on if the value fell, as this helps you to keep your longer term plans in focus
- how comfortable you feel about the value of your investment rising and falling.
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If you’d like to have money set aside, either for specific goals or for emergencies, a savings account could be a better option. You’ll usually earn a small amount of interest and you’ll be able to access your money when you want.
If you invest your money, you should leave it for between five to 10 years to give it the best chance to grow. You may see the value of your investment go up and down, and you may not get back what you put in. But there’s often greater potential for higher growth over the longer term.
Learn more about the difference between saving and investing.
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We won’t change the account fee, (£3 per month), between 19 May 2025 and 2 January 2026.
All other charges will still apply.
The account fee will be charged again from 3rd January 2026. From this date, all monthly fees will be charged as usual.
Separate terms and conditions apply to our Ready-Made Investment ISA or Ready-Made General Investment Account in relation to the service we provide.
We may amend or withdraw this offer at any time.
The promoters of the offer are Halifax Share Dealing Limited and Embark Investments Services Limited, who provide Scottish Widows Ready-Made Investments. The promoters are contactable at 12 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP.
Protecting your money
The Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protects up to £85,000 of the eligible money you hold with us.
Own your tomorrow
Bring your long-term finances to life with the Scottish Widows app.
See your pensions, investments and insurance from us and other providers, all in one place.
All you need to get started is your National Insurance number.
Other ways to invest and plan
Ready-Made Investments is provided by Embark Investment Services Limited, a company incorporated in England and Wales (company number 09955930) with its registered office at 33 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HZ. Embark Investment Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services Register number 737356).
