A Child Trust Fund is a long-term tax-free savings account for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011. They were designed to encourage children to become savers for their future adult life. You cannot apply for a new CTF because this government scheme is now closed but you can keep an existing CTF. CTF’s were available to all children born in the UK whose parents were awarded Child Benefit between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011.

All money earned on the CTF is tax-free, including capital gains, interest payments and any other money earned on the account. This means all the money in the fund belongs to the account holder and none of it will be lost in tax deductions.

The Child Trust Fund scheme closed in 2011. You can apply for a Junior ISA instead.

The first CTFs matured in September 2020, when the oldest account holders turned 18. The last CTFs will mature in 2029.On maturity, CTFs s can either be cashed in or transferred into an adult ISA.

Source: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/savings/types-of-savings/child-trust-funds

Children who lived in the UK, but who did not get Child Benefit because of certain EU legislation or international agreements, may have been eligible for the CTF.

Find a Child Trust Fund

Contact the Child Trust Fund provider directly if you know who the account is with.
If you do not know the Child Trust Fund provider, you can ask HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) where the account was originally opened by either:
• filling in a form online – you’ll need to create a Government Gateway user ID and password if you do not have one
• requesting the details by post
Charities, Savings and International 1
HMRC
BX9 1AU

For more detailed information please visit:  Gov.uk/childtrustfund

Last updated September 2022

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