Ethical Savings
Ethical savings and investments are a way of supporting the future of our planet, our people and our communities.
Many listed companies now adopt social and ethical policies that determine the way they run their businesses.
At Teachers Assurance for our Ethical Fund investment we seek out the most ethical stocks and shares in the market and positively discriminate against what we consider to be unethical investments.
As with all our investment options, the overriding criteria is that they must provide an acceptable balance of risk and reward for our customers. However, taking the ethical route makes this a slightly more adventurous approach to investing because there are fewer stocks and shares in the market to choose from.
You can invest in our Ethical Fund via our Unit Trusts or our ISA.
The tax advantages of such plans could change in the future and depend on individual circumstances.
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Important changes to the Ethical Fund
To coincide with its' 21st birthday in 2010, we have made a significant change to the investment policy of our Ethical Fund.
This change was introduced to improve the breadth and depth of the stocks held within the Fund, whilst not changing its’ overall nature or purpose.
With effect from 1st July 2010, the Fund now aims to track the performance of the UK FTSE4Good Index and the FTSE UK Environmental Opportunities Index.
To enable us to do this effectively, the Fund has been split into two segments, one segment (approximately 75%) aims to track the UK FTSE4Good Index and the other segment (approximately 25%) aims to track the FTSE UK Environmental Opportunities Index. Your money will effectively be invested in these two segments in these proportions.
FTSE ® is a trademark jointly owned by the London Stock Exchange Plc and the Financial Times Limited and is used under license by FTSE. FTSE does not sponsor, endorse or promote this product
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Why did you change the investment policy of the Fund?
The reasons we made this change were to:-
- reflect the changing attitude to ethical investment
- increase the range of companies we could invest in
- give greater weight to environmental considerations
More and more people are considering socially responsible and environmental matters when they make their investments. We wanted to be sure that we were continuing to meet the needs of our existing and new investors by refreshing the Funds’ investment policy to give the potential for more stable returns without altering its risk profile.
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Where will the Fund now be invested?
Wherever possible our Ethical Fund will exclude
- Investment in companies with operations in countries with oppressive regimes.
- Companies that are involved in military production and sale which could result in the taking of human life or warfare.
- Any company involved in a tobacco related business.
Wherever possible our Ethical Fund will include
- Companies that have significant involvement in environmental markets, including renewable and alternative energy, energy efficiency, water infrastructure and technologies, pollution control, waste management and technologies or environmental support services.
- Only those companies that operate best practice in corporate governance.
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What are the two indices you will be tracking?
Our Ethical Fund will aim to track the performance of the following indices to track these funds:-
- 75% of the Fund will track the UK FTSE4Good Index and
- 25% of the Fund will track the FTSE UK Environmental Opportunities Index
These indices are both run by the FTSE Group. The FTSE Group helps investors worldwide make informed investment decisions and benchmark the performance of their investments.
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UK FTSE4Good Index
The UK FTSE4Good Index provides a broad and diversified exposure to UK stock markets via companies that are benefiting from innovations in corporate social responsibility and are doing more to manage their social, ethical and environmental risks. The evolving UK FTSE4Good criteria have already encouraged a significant improvement in human rights, environmental policy and management system transparency across a wide range of sectors.
All FTSE4Good Fund licensing revenues go to UNICEF to help children around the world.
FTSE ® is a trademark jointly owned by the London Stock Exchange Plc and the Financial Times Limited and is used under license by FTSE. FTSE does not sponsor, endorse or promote this product
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FTSE Environmental Opportunities Index
The FTSE Environmental Opportunities Index Series measures the performance of global companies that have significant involvement in environmental markets, including renewable and alternative energy, energy efficiency, water infrastructure and technologies, pollution control, waste management and technologies or environmental support services.
Companies must derive at least 20% of their business from environmental business activities, as defined by the FTSE Environmental Markets Classification System.
FTSE Environmental Opportunities UK Index – based on the FTSE UK All-Share Index, this index includes all eligible environmental opportunities companies quoted on the London Stock Exchange main market.
FTSE ® is a trademark jointly owned by the London Stock Exchange Plc and the Financial Times Limited and is used under license by FTSE. FTSE does not sponsor, endorse or promote this product
You can make ethical investments using our:
How does this compare with other savings and investments?
To see how this compares to our other products, please go to our Risk and Reward page.
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Why choose Teachers Assurance?
Started in 1877 by teachers - for teachers.
15,000 teachers a year in 3,000 schools in England and Wales turn to us for financial direction. (And that's excluding other teachers who phone in or email us.)
No one understands the financial needs of teachers better than us.
As a mutual friendly society our business is built on helping teachers to:
- Protect themselves and their families
- Save for the future
- Invest efficiently
- Get the most suitable advice
- Make confident financial decisions
To find out more about how we treat our customers go to the following page:
- About us - See who we are and what you can expect from us.
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What if I need your help or advice?
If you need our help or advice, please give us a call:
0800 056 0563
8.30am to 8pm Weekdays
9am to 1pm Saturdays
To help us continually improve customer service, calls may be recorded or monitored.
Ask us for information
Our Helpline can answer any questions you have or post you an application pack for any of the products on offer.
Ask us for advice
Our expert Financial Consultants can help you choose the most suitable products for your needs, you can ask for personal financial advice over the phone or face to face .
Ask us for a school visit - Money Talks!
Book a school visit for one of our Financial Consultants to hold a free financial planning session for teachers in your school.
Our Consultants are only able to advise on our own products and services and those of selected third parties.
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How do I apply?
If you like the sound of our Ethical Fund you can:
None of the information on our website should be considered advice to save, invest or purchase. If you have any doubt about whether a product is suitable for you, please ask us for advice. We are only able to advise on our own products and those of selected third party providers.
FTSE ® is a trademark jointly owned by the London Stock Exchange Plc and the Financial Times Limited and is used under license by FTSE. FTSE does not sponsor, endorse or promote this product
