Junior pension transfers: child trust funds and CTF-to-JISA rules
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Millions of Child Trust Funds matured from age 18 — unclaimed pots can transfer to ISAs or adult pensions. Check for safeguarded benefits before moving junior workplace pensions inherited from parents' schemes.
By Money Guide editorial team
Published:
Child Trust Funds (CTFs) opened for children born 1 September 2002 to 2 January 2011. At 18, accounts mature — money can move to a Cash ISA, Stocks & Shares ISA or remain invested in the adult CTF wrapper.
Junior ISAs (JISAs) replaced CTFs for later births. The 2026/27 JISA allowance is £9,000. Parents manage accounts until age 16; at 18 the child controls the pot — it cannot be withdrawn for university fees without the child's consent.
Junior workplace pensions are rare but exist where parents employ children in family businesses. Transfer rules mirror adult pensions — check for safeguarded benefits before consolidating.
Pension-to-pension transfers are tax-free provider-to-provider. Never withdraw cash to reinvest — that triggers unauthorised payment charges.
Tracing lost CTFs uses the gov.uk finder service. See our Junior ISA guide, pension consolidation hub and safeguarded benefits answer.