Children's ISA Providers
Children's ISAs, also known as Junior ISAs, were introduced in November 2011 to replace Child Trust Funds. Children's ISAs are designed to help parents save for their children in a tax-free or tax-efficient way.
Rules of Children's ISAs
Junior ISAs operate on a similar basis to adult ISAs. Some of the regulations include:
- The annual Junior ISA allowance is different to that of a normal ISA, you can check the isa allowance limits:
- The accounts are a tax-efficient wrapper that allows parents, grandparents, friends or guardians to invest up to the maximum allowance a year on a child's behalf, in either cash account or investment funds. These savings and investments cannot be cashed in before the child reaches 18.
- There are both Junior Cash ISAs and Junior Stocks & Shares ISAs available.
- Like adult ISAs, you can divide the junior ISA allowance between cash and investments in whatever proportion you wish.
- Children who already have a Child Trust Fund - that is, children who were born between 1st September 2002 and 3rd January 2011 - do not qualify for a junior ISA. However, there have recently been proposals to allow Child Trust Fund holders
- A young person aged 16 can open their own Junior ISA; they can also open a regular cash ISA as well.
- Alternatively an adult with parental responsibility may open a junior ISA on behalf of someone aged under 16 years old.
- Anyone can contribute towards the Junior ISA once it is opened, including grandparents, family members and friends.
- All money contributed into a junior ISA is considered a gift and cannot be subsequently returned to the giver if they subsequently change their mind.
- No withdrawals can be made from the account, until the child turns 18 at which point the account rolls over into a normal type of ISA, in their name, and they can do with it whatever they wish.
Compare the Best Children's ISA Providers
Points to consider when comparing children's ISA providers include:
- The rate of interest available
- Whether the provider offers junior cash ISA or a junior stocks and shares ISA
- Any fixed term interest bonuses - when these end, you may want to switch to a new provider
Currently, not all of the most well-known banks offer junior ISAs, so you may need to look beyond the high street to find the best deal available. Current junior ISA providers include Family Investments, Scottish Friendly, Alliance Trust and Nationwide, and more. Use the tables above to compare a range of the best children's ISAs that are currently available.
