9 September 2020
How to trace a Child Trust Fund
Child Trust Funds are a Government-backed scheme for long-term tax-free savings accounts which were opened for children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 and who were included in a child benefit award. The scheme was closed for children born after 2 January 2011.
From 1 September 2020, the first set of children with Child Trust Fund (CTF) accounts will be turning 18 and will be able to withdraw money from their funds.
15 to 18-year-olds should also aware of their CTF accounts because, from age 16, they can begin to operate their accounts even though they can’t withdraw money from them before they reach age 18.
All the maintenance and running of a CTF account, including withdrawals once the CTF reaches maturity, must be done via the account provider (the bank or building society where the CTF is held).
HMRC have provided some updated information about Child Trust Funds and how to trace a child trust fund provider. This includes information for parents/guardians and also for the 18 year olds themselves to track down their own CTF.
As well as the on-line service to request details of the account provider from HMRC, there is now an additional option to contact HMRC by post, to request details of the CTF account provider. GOV.UK Child Trust Funds.