About the UK Lifetime ISA Calculator
This Lifetime ISA calculator projects how a LISA grows with the government bonus and what you would receive when you take the money out. Enter your age, any current balance, how much you pay in each year, your expected interest or investment return and when and why you plan to withdraw, and it shows your balance, the total bonus, and the withdrawal charge if one applies.
You can open a Lifetime ISA from 18 until the day before your 40th birthday and pay in up to £4,000 each tax year until you turn 50. The government adds a 25% bonus — up to £1,000 a year — and the £4,000 counts toward your overall £20,000 ISA allowance. Withdrawals are free of charge when you buy your first home costing £450,000 or less (at least 12 months after your first payment), from age 60, or if you are terminally ill.
Any other withdrawal carries a 25% charge on the amount you take out. Because the charge applies to the bonus-boosted balance, it claws back the bonus and about 6.25% of your own money as well. These are the GOV.UK rules for 2026/27; the calculator assumes monthly payments with the bonus added monthly and a constant return.
With the default inputs, the lisa balance when you withdraw is £40,341.99. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the uk lifetime isa calculator
- 1Enter your age and any current Lifetime ISA balance.
- 2Enter how much you plan to pay in each tax year (up to £4,000).
- 3Enter the interest rate or expected investment return.
- 4Choose when and why you will withdraw, and the property price if buying a first home.
- 5Check the bonus, any 25% charge and the amount you would actually receive.
Formula and method
Payments of up to £4,000 a year are spread evenly across 12 months, and each payment earns a 25% bonus that is added straight to the account. The balance grows at the monthly equivalent of the annual return, g = (1 + r)^(1/12) − 1. Payments and bonuses stop at age 50, and no new account can be opened from age 40.
If you withdraw for anything other than a first home of £450,000 or less bought at least 12 months after your first payment, reaching 60, or terminal illness, a 25% charge is taken from the amount withdrawn. Since £100 of your money becomes £125 with the bonus, a 25% charge leaves £93.75 — a 6.25% loss on your own money before growth.
- B
- LISA balance
- c
- Monthly payment (annual payments ÷ 12)
- g
- Monthly growth rate
- r
- Expected annual return
Worked examples
First home at 32 after 7 years of £4,000
Paying £4,000 a year from 25 to 32 adds £28,000 of your own money and £7,000 of bonus. At 4% the account reaches about £40,342, which can be used free of charge on a £300,000 first home.
Same savings withdrawn for another reason
Withdrawing the £40,342 for anything other than a first home or retirement triggers a 25% charge of about £10,086. You receive £30,256.50 — only £2,256.50 more than the £28,000 you paid in, despite seven years of growth.
Retirement saving from 35 to 60
Paying £4,000 a year from 35 until 50 adds £60,000 plus a £15,000 bonus. Left invested at 5% until 60, the pot grows to about £180,470, which can be withdrawn tax-free and charge-free from age 60.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I put in a Lifetime ISA?+
Up to £4,000 each tax year, and the government adds a 25% bonus of up to £1,000 a year. The £4,000 counts toward your overall £20,000 annual ISA allowance.
What is the Lifetime ISA withdrawal penalty?+
Withdrawals that are not for a first home, after age 60 or due to terminal illness carry a 25% charge on the amount withdrawn. This recovers the bonus and costs about 6.25% of your own money.
What is the Lifetime ISA house price limit?+
The first home must cost £450,000 or less, and you must buy at least 12 months after your first payment into the LISA, with a mortgage and through a conveyancer or solicitor (the provider pays them directly). Above that price the 25% withdrawal charge applies.
Who can open a Lifetime ISA?+
UK residents aged 18 to 39 can open one. You can keep paying in and receiving the bonus until you turn 50, after which the account stays open and keeps earning interest or growth.
Can I use a Lifetime ISA and Help to Buy ISA together?+
You can hold both, but you can only use the bonus from one of them to buy your first home. Many savers transfer a Help to Buy ISA into a Lifetime ISA, which counts toward the £4,000 limit.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.