A.
There are a number of benefits:
Saving is effortless: deductions are made from your post-tax salary automatically each month.
You can withdraw your savings at any time (but you will lose the right to buy the shares under option)
At the end of the savings period you can buy shares at the original discounted price, using your savings and any interest.
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The Sharesave plan is normally launched once a year.
If you are eligible to take part in a Sharesave plan, an invitation booklet will be sent to you just before the plan is due to start.
You can apply to join a Sharesave plan by text, telephone or online. More instructions are given in the invitation booklet.
If you think you are eligible but you have not received a booklet, please contact your local HR department.
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This depends on how long you save for and also what year you started saving. Visit the Bonus and Interest Rates page for full details.
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The HMRC rules for the Sharesave plan are different to the rules for Sharepurchase.
The rules for Sharesave state that your contributions must be taken from your salary AFTER tax has been paid. Instead, the price that you buy shares at is discounted by up to 20%. The bonus you may receive at the end of the contract will be tax free.
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You can miss a maximum of 6 payments during your whole savings period BUT, you have to make these up at the end of your savings period, month for month, before you can exercise your Sharesave option.
To suspend your Sharesave plan(s), you must send a completed instruction form to your payroll to stop your monthly payments.
If you miss more than 6 payments, then your Sharesave plan will be cancelled and your savings and any interest will be returned to you. You will not be entitled to buy any shares.
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When you apply to join Sharesave, you agree to save for a set period of time (3 or 5 years). You must complete your savings period before you can exercise your option. The day you complete your savings period is the 'maturity date'.
You can view your Sharesave options by securely logging onto Employee Shareplan Information.
If you are leaving Diageo before the maturity date, under certain circumstances, you may be able to exercise your option(s) early. Please see the Leavers Information for further details.
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The maturity date is the earliest date that a particular Sharesave option can be exercised. You can view your Sharesave options by securely logging onto Employee Shareplan Information.
If you are leaving Diageo before the maturity date, under certain circumstances, the maturity date may change. Please see the Leavers Information for further details.
A.
There is normally no UK income tax payable on the exercise of a Sharesave option. However, if your employing company is sold and you exercise your option within three years of the grant date, you will be liable to pay income tax on the gain.
If you are subject to tax in another country, you must check if you have any tax liability under that country's tax regime.
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No. When you participate in Sharesave, you are granted an option to buy shares. As you do not own the shares until your option has been exercised, you will not receive dividends on your Sharesave options. You will however receive dividends on the resulting shares if you keep your shares at the time of exercise.
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To cancel your Sharesave and stop future deductions from salary, you must complete a Cancel your Sharesave form and send it to your payroll department.
To obtain a refund you must cancel your plan with the Sharesave Plan Managers:
Sharesave Contracts started in 2009 to 2013 - you can cancel online www.computershare.com/diageoshareplans or telephone the helpline on +44 (0) 344 472 6043
Sharesave Contracts started in 2014 onwards - please contact Yorkshire Building Society on +44 (0) 3451 200 300
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There is no interest paid if you close your Sharesave account in the first year. Please see our Bonus and Interest Rates for more information.
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You cannot make any extra payments, but in the UK you can leave your money with the Sharesave Plan Managers for as long as you want. Remember, if you do this, you will lose the right to buy shares after 6 months. If you leave your money for 7 years (i.e. you choose a 5 year savings contract and then save for a further 2 years), you may receive another tax-free bonus.
