This article will go over the logistics of one of the most popular savings plans in the offshore world. I will go over the charges and, at the end, give my thoughts on the product.
Please be aware that this is my opinion on the product and is not personal financial advice. If you need personal financial advice, please speak to a competent and qualified advisor.
You can contact me via the button at the bottom of the page if you want to speak to me or ask me any questions.
Before I go on will state that this is a commission-led product that will give the advisor 6-18 months of the premium (the longer the term, the higher the amount) upfront on a signing. Therefore, if you, for example, sign $1000 for 15 years, the advisor will get up to 4-5% of the total amount, equating up to $9000 upfront, which will come out of the policy in charges over the term.
I have seen many so-called advisors say how important it is to save and then sell these mostly toxic products.
In 99.9% of cases, you would be so much better going into a low-cost platform such as Saxo or IBKR and going into a low-cost ETF.
Remember- if the advisor is getting 6-18 months of the premium upfront, they have a high incentive to sell these products normally without any real advice.
RL360’s Regular Savings Plan
RL360’s Regular Savings Plan is an international product designed to build cash over time for future significant expenses, such as education and retirement.
With a range of investment funds available, RL360’s Regular Savings Plan offers an investment choice that enables savers to switch between funds, sectors or investment themes without incurring any charges. The plan is also multi-currency, with seven major world currencies to choose from.
Contributing to the Regular Savings Plan is easy, with various payment options available, including direct debit, bank transfer, and credit card. It’s worth noting that RL360 does not charge any additional fees for using a credit card except for American Express.
Savers can access their plan statements and account information at any time through the RL360 Online Service Centre, available 24/7 from anywhere. Overall, RL360’s Regular Savings Plan offers a flexible, convenient and low-cost savings solution for expats looking to build cash for their future.
What are the fees and charges associated with the RL360 Regular Savings Plan?
The RL360 Regular Savings Plan has several fees and charges that impact the plan’s return. The establishment charge is 0.50% per month and is deducted in arrears from the value of establishment units held in the plan. The ongoing administration charge is 0.125% of the current plan value and is deducted each month in arrears. The servicing charge is a monthly charge of £5 or currency equivalent and is deducted in arrears from the plan’s standard units. Additionally, the funds held within the plan are subject to an annual management charge between 0.5% and 2%.
| Fee Type | RL360 Regular Savings Plan | Modern Low-Cost Platform (e.g. Saxo) |
| Set-up Fee | 100% of first 18-24 months “locked” | £0 / $0 |
| Annual Admin Fee | ~1.5% per year | 0.12% – 0.25% per year |
| Exit Penalties | Up to 100% in early years | None (Full Liquidity) |
| Underlying Fund Cost | 1.0% – 2.0% (Mirror Funds) | 0.07% – 0.20% (ETFs) |
| Total Annual Drag | ~4.0% | ~0.35% |
Are there any bonuses or discounts available with the plan?
Bonuses vary depending on the savings level, term, how long the plan has been open, and the number of full-year contributions made. This means that each customer is likely to receive a different bonus amount. Bonuses increase the longer the plan is held, and payments are maintained.
Can I make early withdrawals or close the plan early?
If the plan is cancelled during the 30-day cooling-off period, the initial payment will be refunded unless the invested funds have decreased in value, in which case less money may be refunded. Cancelling the plan during the establishment period results in a 100% early exit charge, and only establishment units purchased will be subject to an early exit charge after the establishment period has ended. If the plan is cancelled in the early years, a large proportion of the saved money may be lost. Savers can take a break from contributing to the plan for up to two years, and one-off withdrawals are also allowed after the establishment period is complete. However, taking regular withdrawals exceeding investment growth is likely to reduce the value of the savings.
What is the plan’s investment strategy?
The RL360 Regular Savings Plan is a medium to long-term savings plan designed for capital growth. The plan offers a choice of more than 350 funds, and savers can have money in as many as they like, provided they maintain the low regular allocation for each fund, which is only £25 a month. At the beginning of the plan, each payment made is allocated to establishment units. Once the establishment period ends, each payment is allocated to standard units. At the end of the plan term, all remaining establishment units are converted into standard units.
My thoughts
This product is mainly toxic, and I have seen 90% of cases that don’t work out. I get emailed at least once a week from expats who are stuck in these plans, paying 2-3% a year. Don’t be led astray by the bonus or tax efficiency; it is very unlikely that these work.
Just read the (genuine) reviews online if you think I am biased.
In all seriousness, why do you need this product today? You are paying 2% a year for something that is highly inflexible when you can have a Saxo account for 0.12% and go into an S&P ETF for 0.05% each month (as a simple example). If you have been proposed, this would stay well clear for most cases. Only about 1-2% of people could think of this being viable due to their situation.
The advisor who proposed this has done so not on the need for saving, but most likely suggested it for the need for a commission of the first year or more premiums upfront.
If you want me to review a situation, then please contact me; it is no obligation, and I will offer an independent opinion on your situation.
If you are still in your Establishment Period (typically the first 18–24 months), cancelling your plan will usually result in a 100% surrender charge, meaning you get nothing back. If you have passed this period, you can surrender the plan, but you will still face a penalty based on the remaining years of your contract.
Before cancelling, ask for a “surrender valuation.” In many cases, it is more cost-effective to make the policy “Paid Up” (stop contributions) rather than cashing it out immediately and losing 80%+ of your value.
This is the most common complaint in 2026. Because RL360 pays your advisor a large upfront commission, they must “claw back” that cost through high Establishment Charges (often 6% per year on your initial units). When you combine this with fund management fees and the monthly service fee, your investments need to grow by roughly 4.5% every year just to stay at “break-even.” In volatile markets, these fees often outpace growth, leading to a shrinking balance.
Generally, no. RL360 is a “mirror fund” platform, meaning you are limited to their specific list of 350+ mutual funds. You cannot directly hold low-cost ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds) like those found on Saxo or Interactive Brokers.
While a Vanguard ETF might cost 0.07%, the “mirrored” version inside an RL360 wrapper often costs 1.5% – 2.0%. Over a 25-year term, this “fee gap” can result in you losing up to 40% of your potential retirement nest egg compared to a modern, transparent platform.
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