St James's Place fees explained
Since 26 August 2025, new St James's Place investments carry an initial advice charge of 3% on the first £250,000, 2% on the next £250,000 and 1% above £500,000, an ongoing advice charge of 0.8% a year, a product charge and a fund charge. SJP's own example of a Polaris 3 holding comes to 1.59% a year in an ISA and 1.67% in a pension. SJP states there is no advice charge if its advice does not lead to an investment. New investments carry no early withdrawal charge; pension and bond money invested before that date can still carry one.
Figures checked 27 October 2026.
SJP charges from 26 August 2025
| Charge | ISAs and unit trusts | Pensions and investment bonds |
|---|---|---|
| Initial advice | 3% on the first £250,000, 2% on the next £250,000, 1% above £500,000 | Same |
| Ongoing advice | 0.80% a year | 0.80% a year |
| Product | 0.27% a year, falling on larger sums to 0.17% above £3m | 0.35% a year, falling on larger sums to 0.25% above £3m |
| Fund | 0.09% to 0.69% a year for 95% of SJP funds | Same |
| Polaris 3 example, total a year | 1.59% | 1.67% |
From SJP's charges page and its 15 July 2025 announcement. SJP says the initial advice charge may vary as agreed with your Partner.
In pounds
| Invested in an ISA | Initial advice charge | Ongoing at 1.59% a year | Ten years of ongoing charges at the same value |
|---|---|---|---|
| £100,000 | £3,000 | £1,590 | £15,900 |
| £250,000 | £7,500 | £3,975 | £39,750 |
| £400,000 | £10,500 | £6,360 | £63,600 |
| £600,000 | £13,500 | £9,540 | £95,400 |
£400,000 matches SJP's own example of a £10,500 initial charge, 2.63% of the amount invested. Ongoing charges use the Polaris 3 example; your funds and product charges may differ, and the charge moves with the value of the investments.
Early withdrawal charges on older holdings
Before 26 August 2025, SJP pension and investment bond clients paid initial charges recovered over six years, enforced by an early withdrawal charge that started at 6% and fell by one percentage point a year. New investments no longer carry it. Money invested before that date stays on its original terms until its six years have passed.
On a £100,000 bond holding in its third year, a 6% charge falling a point a year would be 4%, or £4,000. Your SJP statement or your Partner can confirm the charge on each holding.
If you are thinking of leaving SJP
Ask SJP for the current value of each holding and any early withdrawal charge on it, and confirm the date the ongoing advice charge stops. Moving a pension or investment is a decision for you or a regulated adviser, and some pensions carry guarantees that are lost on transfer.
A Buzz Financial Plan models your pensions, investments, property and income every year to age 100 with UK tax applied, for a fixed £1,500. Your investments stay where they are while it is done. The Financial Plan
Common questions
Does SJP charge if I don't invest?
SJP's charges page states: "If our advice does not result in an investment, there is no charge for our advice."
What is the ongoing advice charge?
0.80% a year of the value of your investments, on top of the product and fund charges.
Do new SJP investments have exit fees?
SJP's 15 July 2025 announcement states that the early withdrawal charge no longer applies to new investments from 26 August 2025.
Does Buzz give advice on SJP investments?
Buzz gives no regulated advice and recommends no products. The Financial Plan shows what your money does under the charges you pay now. If you want a regulated recommendation, Buzz can introduce you to Buzz Financial Services, a separate FCA-regulated firm, or you can choose any adviser on the FCA register.