Child Trust Fund UK
Millions of young people in the UK have a Child Trust Fund (CTF) they may not know about. If you were born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, the government gave you a savings voucher worth £250 or more at birth. That money could now be worth significantly more. This guide explains everything you need to know about finding your CTF, what to do with it, and how to transfer it to a better account.
CTF Growth Estimator
Estimate how much a Child Trust Fund may have grown since it was opened.
Estimated CTF Value
What Was the Child Trust Fund Scheme?
The Child Trust Fund was a government initiative introduced in 2002 under the then Chancellor Gordon Brown. Its aim was to ensure every child in the UK had a financial nest egg when they reached adulthood. Every eligible child received a government voucher to start their CTF account, with wealthier families encouraged to top it up.
CTF scheme launched. Children born from this date are eligible.
Government issues vouchers at birth: £250 for all children, £500 for those on Child Tax Credit (lower income families). All looked-after children receive £500. A second voucher of the same value is issued at age 7.
CTF scheme closes to new applicants. The last vouchers were issued for children born on 2 January 2011. Junior ISA introduced as the replacement.
Government allows CTF holders to transfer their balance into a Junior ISA for better rates and options.
First CTF holders begin turning 18 and can access their accounts. HMRC launches online CTF finder tool.
Children born in 2007 are now turning 18. Hundreds of thousands accessing CTF accounts each year. Over £2 billion estimated in unclaimed accounts.
How to Find a Lost Child Trust Fund
Many CTF accounts have been lost because families moved house, changed contact details, or simply forgot. Here is how to find yours:
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Use the HMRC CTF finder: Visit gov.uk/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fund. You will need a Government Gateway account (free to set up). HMRC will identify which provider holds the CTF account within a few minutes. This is the fastest and most reliable method.
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Call HMRC directly: Phone 0300 123 1000 (the Child Trust Fund helpline). Have your child's National Insurance number or date of birth and unique reference number ready. HMRC can tell you the account provider.
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Contact CTF providers directly: If you believe you know which bank or provider holds the account, contact them directly with proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, NI number). Main providers include OneFamily, Forester Life, Wealthify, and The Share Centre.
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Write to HMRC: Send a written request to: Child Trust Fund, HMRC, BX9 1LT. Include the child's full name, date of birth, and National Insurance number if known.
Types of Child Trust Fund
There were three main types of CTF account:
- Stakeholder CTF: The default type. Invested in a medium-risk stocks and shares fund that automatically shifts to lower risk investments as the child approaches 18 (a process called lifestyling). Charges capped at 1.5% per year. This was the most common type.
- Shares CTF: A self-select stocks and shares ISA for CTF investors. Higher growth potential but also higher risk. Usually offered by investment platforms.
- Cash CTF: Operated like a savings account. Lower risk but also lower returns. The value is eroded by inflation over time. In hindsight, cash CTFs performed the worst over the scheme's lifetime.
How Much Is a Child Trust Fund Worth in 2025?
The value of a CTF in 2025 depends on several factors:
- The initial government voucher amount (£250 or £500)
- Whether the age-7 top-up voucher was added
- Additional contributions from family (up to £9,000/year)
- The type of account (cash, stakeholder shares, shares)
- Investment performance over the period
Government estimates suggest the average CTF is worth around £2,000 by age 18 with no additional contributions. Accounts where families contributed regularly could be worth £5,000-£20,000 or more. Stakeholder CTFs invested in shares have generally performed well given the strong stock market returns from 2009-2021.
CTF vs Junior ISA: Key Differences
| Feature | Child Trust Fund | Junior ISA |
|---|---|---|
| Available to | Born 2002-2011 | All under-18s |
| Annual limit | £9,000 | £9,000 |
| Govt voucher | Yes (historic) | No |
| Tax-free growth | Yes | Yes |
| Access before 18 | No (except terminal illness) | No (except terminal illness) |
| Investment choice | Limited (depends on provider) | Wide (many platforms) |
| Charge cap | 1.5% (Stakeholder CTFs) | No cap (shop around) |
| Transfer possible | Can transfer to JISA | Can transfer to another JISA |
How to Transfer a CTF to a Junior ISA
Since 2015, you can transfer a CTF to a JISA. Here is how:
- Choose a JISA provider: Research Junior ISA providers. Vanguard, OneFamily, Hargreaves Lansdown, and AJ Bell all offer JISAs with good investment options.
- Open a JISA: Open a Junior ISA with your chosen provider in the child's name. Most applications take minutes online.
- Initiate the transfer: Ask the new JISA provider to arrange the transfer from the CTF. They handle the transfer process. You do not need to contact the CTF provider yourself.
- Wait for completion: Transfers typically take 15-30 business days to complete. Once done, the CTF is closed and all funds are in the JISA.
Annual Contribution Limits
Both CTFs and Junior ISAs allow contributions of up to £9,000 per tax year. This allowance can be used by anyone - parents, grandparents, other family members, or friends. All contributions belong to the child and cannot be accessed until they turn 18. There is no minimum contribution amount.
Grandparents can make significant tax planning contributions if they wish to reduce their estate for inheritance tax purposes, as gifts to JISAs/CTFs count as gifts for IHT purposes.
Accessing the CTF at Age 18
When the child turns 18, the CTF automatically converts to an adult account:
- The account provider should contact the account holder with details of the matured account
- The 18-year-old can then access and withdraw all funds
- They can also choose to reinvest the money into an adult ISA (up to the £20,000 annual allowance) or keep it invested with the same provider
- If not contacted, the account remains open and accessible - the money does not expire
- To claim an unclaimed account, provide proof of identity to the account provider
What to Do With Your CTF Money at 18
Once you access your CTF at 18, consider these options:
- Transfer to a Stocks and Shares ISA: If you do not need the money immediately, keep it invested tax-free in an adult ISA. This maintains the tax-free wrapper.
- Open a Lifetime ISA: If you are 18-39 and saving for a first home or retirement, contribute up to £4,000/year to a LISA and receive the 25% government bonus.
- Pay down student debt: If you have a high-interest Plan 1 or 2 student loan, using some CTF funds to reduce it could save interest.
- Build an emergency fund: Before investing, ensure you have 3-6 months of expenses in an accessible savings account.
- Contribute to a pension: If employed, your workplace pension with employer matching is usually the best first investment.
Topping Up a CTF or Junior ISA
If you have a child with a CTF (or JISA after transfer), regular contributions can significantly boost the final pot. The power of compounding over 18 years is substantial:
- £50/month at 6% over 18 years = approximately £22,000
- £100/month at 6% over 18 years = approximately £43,000
- £200/month at 6% over 18 years = approximately £86,000
Even small regular contributions make a meaningful difference over an 18-year period.
How the Child Trust Fund Works
This calculator helps you understand your financial position using current UK rates and regulations for the 2025/26 tax year. Whether you are planning savings, evaluating loan options, or projecting investment growth, accurate calculations are essential for making informed decisions about your money.
UK financial products are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Interest rates, fees, and terms vary significantly between providers, so comparing actual costs rather than headline rates is important. This tool gives you a clear picture to inform your comparisons.
Key Information for 2025/26
The Bank of England base rate is 4.5% as of early 2026. The Personal Savings Allowance lets basic rate taxpayers earn up to £1,000 in savings interest tax-free (£500 for higher rate taxpayers). The annual ISA allowance remains at £20,000, and the Lifetime ISA allowance is £4,000 with a 25% government bonus for first-time buyers or retirement savings.
Example Calculation
Saving £200 per month into an account earning 4.5% AER would grow to approximately £2,454 after one year, including £54 in interest. Over 5 years at the same rate, your £12,000 in contributions would grow to roughly £13,362, earning £1,362 in compound interest.
Source: Based on current UK financial rates. Last updated March 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was a Child Trust Fund?
A Child Trust Fund (CTF) was a government savings scheme for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. The government gave every eligible child a voucher worth £250 at birth (£500 for lower-income families) and another at age 7. Parents could top up the account each year. The scheme closed to new applicants in January 2011.
How do I find a lost Child Trust Fund?
You can find a lost Child Trust Fund using HMRC's official online CTF finder at gov.uk/child-trust-funds/find-a-child-trust-fund. You will need to log in with a Government Gateway account. HMRC will tell you which provider holds the account. Alternatively, call HMRC's Child Trust Fund helpline on 0300 123 1000.
How much is a Child Trust Fund worth in 2025?
The average Child Trust Fund is estimated to be worth around £2,000 by the time the child turns 18, though this varies enormously depending on whether parents made additional contributions, whether the CTF was invested in shares or cash, and market performance. Some CTFs invested in stocks have grown significantly; some cash-based ones may have lower real value after inflation.
Can I transfer a Child Trust Fund to a Junior ISA?
Yes. Since 2015, you have been able to transfer a Child Trust Fund into a Junior ISA (JISA). This is often advisable because JISAs typically offer better rates, lower charges, and wider investment options than CTFs.
To transfer, open a JISA with your chosen provider and ask them to arrange the transfer. You cannot keep both a CTF and a JISA - the CTF must be transferred or closed.
What happens to a Child Trust Fund at age 18?
When the child turns 18, the CTF account automatically becomes an adult account held in their name. They can access and withdraw all the money. The provider should contact them with details.
If they cannot be reached, the money stays in the account until claimed. There is no time limit on claiming, and the money does not expire.
How much can you contribute to a Child Trust Fund each year?
The annual subscription limit for a Child Trust Fund is £9,000 per tax year (the same limit as a Junior ISA). Contributions can be made by parents, grandparents, friends, or family. The money belongs to the child and cannot be withdrawn before age 18 except in cases of terminal illness.
How many Child Trust Funds are unclaimed?
It is estimated that over 6 million Child Trust Fund accounts have been forgotten or are unclaimed. Many of these belong to young people who turned 18 and do not know they have an account. The total unclaimed value runs into billions of pounds. Using HMRC's CTF finder is the first step to claiming what is rightfully yours.
Related Guides and Calculators
Official Sources & References
Data verified against official UK government sources. Last checked April 2026.