The different types of savings accounts for children
As a parent, nothing matters more than giving your children the best possible start in life - and that means giving them a head start on their savings.
There’s a variety of ways you can put money aside for your children’s future, ranging from simple bank accounts to long-term investments.
Below we’ll look at a few of the most popular options, but remember, what’s right for you and your family will depend on your own circumstances. For tailored financial advice, you can book an appointment with a Specialist Financial Adviser from Wesleyan Financial Services.
Cash Junior ISA
A Cash Junior ISA is a tax-free savings account which allows you to save up to £9,000 on your child’s behalf this tax year.
Interest rates on Cash Junior ISAs are typically higher than you might expect on an adult version, and there’s no tax to pay on any interest that’s accrued.
There’s also no restriction on who can pay in, so grandparents or family friends can contribute towards your child’s future too.
The child takes control of their Cash Junior ISA at 16, but crucially, no money can be withdrawn until your child turns 18. At this point the account becomes an instant access ISA in their name. Find out more about Cash Junior ISAs in our comprehensive guide.
Pros and cons of Cash Junior ISAs
Save up to £9,000 in the 2024/25 tax year | ||
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Pay no income tax on interest | ||
Often higher interest rates than many adult ISAs | ||
Not ideal if you need anytime access to funds |
Instant Access and Regular Saver accounts
If an ISA isn’t right for you, there are plenty of other ways to save for your children.
You can open a basic savings account for under 16s with most banks or building societies. Usually, you can choose between an Instant Access account or a Regular Saver account.
As the name suggests, an Instant Access account lets you pay money in and take money out whenever you want, but you’ll typically earn less interest.
A Regular Saver account will usually offer a better interest rate, but will only let you pay in a certain amount of money each month (typically between £250 and £500) - limiting how quickly you can build the pot.
Bear in mind too that anytime access to funds can be something of a double-edged sword. It's handy for ad-hoc expenses, but a hindrance if you’re saving for the long term.
Pros and cons of instant access accounts
Simple, straightforward savings | ||
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Anytime withdrawals | ||
Modest interest rates |
Fixed-term savings accounts
If you have a single lump sum you’d like to lock away for your child’s future, and you don’t want to invest it in an ISA, a fixed-term savings account might be an alternative option.
You’ll be able to fix an interest rate, usually for up to 5 years (the longer the term, the higher the rate). That means it’s easy to calculate exactly what your money will be worth at the end of the term.
Bear in mind that you usually won’t be able to take money out or pay any money in after your initial deposit. So there’s no opportunity to build the pot beyond the interest you receive.
It’s also worth remembering that by locking in your rate, you’d see no benefit from any interest rate rises. You wouldn’t be able to switch to another provider without incurring penalties, either.
Pros and cons of fixed-term savings
Higher interest rates than regular savings accounts | ||
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Fixed rates offer certainty around what you’ll get back | ||
Can’t contribute further once initial deposit is made | ||
Not ideal if you need anytime access to funds |
Investing in a stocks and shares Junior ISA
While some parents may prefer the simplicity and certainty of saving, others want the potential for their money to go further. It’s not without risk, but investing in a stocks and shares Junior ISA could help your money grow while your children do.
A stocks and shares Junior ISA (such as Unit Trust Junior ISA from Wesleyan Unit Trust Managers) enables you to put money into a range of investments on your child’s behalf. Thanks to the ISA wrapper, there’s no tax to pay on any potential gains from your investments.
You (or your family and friends) can pay in up to £9,000 per tax year. Your child will take control of the account on their 18th birthday.
Depending on the type of stocks & shares Junior ISA you choose, you may be able to select the investments yourself, or you can simply opt for a fund which is professionally managed on your behalf. At Wesleyan, you can choose from a range of managed funds to suit your appetite for risk. Read our guide to Junior ISAs.
Keep in mind that the value of all investments can go down as well as up, so you could get back less than what you put in.
Pros and cons of stocks and shares Junior ISA
Save up to £9,000 in the 2024/25 tax year | ||
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Pay no income tax or capital gains tax on your investment returns | ||
Potential for faster growth than cash savings | ||
Investments can go down so the amount you save is at risk | ||
Higher charges than some other account types |
Tax considerations when you save or invest for children
It’s often thought that children are exempt from tax, but that’s not quite the case. They’re actually liable for income tax in the same way that adults are. The only difference is, most children don’t earn income above their personal tax allowance of £12,570.
If that income is from savings interest, additional tax-free allowances mean a child can actually earn up to £18,570 before paying tax.
All this makes it highly unlikely your children would ever have to pay tax on their savings. But unless you’re saving into a tax-free ISA, you (as a parent or guardian) may well become liable.
If your child earns more than £100 a year in interest as a result of your contributions, it’s effectively classed as your income, and added to your tax bill accordingly. The limit can be doubled to £200 if both parents combine allowances though, and no tax will be payable if it’s within your own Personal Savings Allowance.
Remember, this rule doesn’t affect ISA contributions. Regardless of how much interest is received on a Junior ISA, it stays tax-free both for your children and for you.
Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and may be subject to change in future.
FAQs
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What’s the best way to invest for my children?Everybody’s situation is different, and what’s right for one family may not be right for another. For tailored financial advice, you can book an appointment with a Specialist Financial Adviser from Wesleyan Financial Services. The advice is without obligation – and you’ll only pay a charge if you decide to invest or take up a chargeable service.
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Can I open an account for my grandchildren?Grandparents can open a number of savings accounts for grandchildren, but Junior ISAs (whether cash or stocks and shares) can only be opened by a parent or guardian. That said, grandparents can contribute to a Junior ISA once it’s open - as can other family and friends.
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Does paying into a Junior ISA affect my own ISA allowance?Junior ISAs are held in the child’s name, not the parent’s - so there’s no impact on your own ISA allowance. In other words, you can pay £9,000 into your child’s ISA in the 2024/2025 tax year, and still put the full £20,000 allowance into your own.
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When should I start saving for my children?
Again, this will depend on what’s right for you - but it’s useful to know that most types of junior account don’t carry a minimum age. A Junior ISA, for instance, can be opened for a child of any age as long as they’re under 18, so you can start saving as soon as they’re born.
If you’re planning to invest for your child in a stocks and shares ISA, bear in mind that investments are usually best left for a minimum of five years, allowing more time to benefit from any potential capital growth.