Sharesave and the Partnership and Matching shares plan are two separate schemes offered by Aberdeen Group plc. The table below gives an overview of the key features of each Plan to help you decide whether to join either scheme (or both).
| Partnership and Matching Shares Plan | Sharesave | |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | The Partnership and Matching shares plan enables you to buy Aberdeen Group plc shares on a monthly basis, using contributions taken from your pre-tax pay. | Sharesave allows you to save a fixed amount for three or five years. Deductions are taken from your post-tax pay. At the end of the savings period you have the opportunity to buy Aberdeen Group plc shares at the special discounted price. |
| How does it work? | Your contributions are used to buy ‘Partnership shares’ on monthly basis. You receive one ‘Matching share’ for every Partnership share you buy (up to £50 per month). | You save for three or five years. At the end of the savings period you can buy shares at the special discounted price, or receive all your savings back as cash. |
| When can I join? | You can join at any time. If you join by the 13 of the month, your first deduction will be taken in the same month. | Sharesave is an annual award in which the invitation window opens once a year. |
| How much can I contribute? | Up to £150. | Up to £500 a month from your net pay, across all savings contracts. |
| What is the contribution period? | Ongoing, you can start, stop, restart your contributions at any time. | 3 or 5 years (depending on the plan applied for). |
| How are deductions taken? | Contributions will be deducted from your gross salary (i.e. before tax and NICs). The contributions are sent to Equiniti to purchase Partnership shares. | Contributions will be deducted from your net salary (i.e. after tax and NICs). The contributions are sent to Equiniti and are held in a bank account with Lloyds Bank plc. |
| Can I change my monthly contribution amount? | Yes, you can start, stop or restart your contributions at any time via the Aberdeen Share Plans Microsite. | No, you can pause your contributions for a maximum of 12 consecutive months but your pre-agreed monthly contribution is fixed and cannot be changed. |
| How much will I pay for the shares? | You will pay the market value of Aberdeen Group plc shares on the purchase date each month. | You can choose whether you buy Aberdeen Group plc at the special discounted price at the end of the savings period. |
| Will I receive dividends? | Partnership and Matching shares are eligible for dividends. Dividends received are reinvested to purchase Dividend Shares that are also held in the Trust. | At the end of the saving period, if you choose to keep your shares you will receive dividends on these shares as a shareholder. |
| What are the main benefits? | Shares are bought with pre-tax salary where Aberdeen as a company will match up to £50 contributed. | You can purchase shares with an up to 20% discount at the end of the savings contract. |
| What are the risks? | Like any investment, there are risks associated with holding shares. The market price of Aberdeen Group plc shares may fluctuate between the date of deduction from your pay and the date the shares are purchased by Equiniti on your behalf. The value of shares can go down as well as up, so you may not get back the fill amount you invest. | You can always get your savings back (without any fees or taxes) at any time. If the share price is lower than special discounted price at the end of the savings period, you do not have to buy the shares, and will get your savings back. |
| What is the tax position? | Shares are bought out of pre-tax pay. Income tax and NICs is payable on shares that leave the plan that have been held for less than 5 years. There is no Capital Gains Tax to pay when the shares are withdrawn from the Trust. | Deductions are made from net pay. There is no Income tax or NICs to pay on the exercise of Options. Capital Gains Tax may be payable of the difference between any sale proceeds and the special discounted price. |
