HMRC has issued a press release urging 18-22 year olds who have yet to claim their Child Trust Fund (CTF) cash to do so as soon as possible. According to HMRC, over 670,000 young adults in this age group have unclaimed funds, with the average savings pot estimated to be marginally in excess of £2,000.
Anyone who turned 18 on or after 1 September 2020 could have unclaimed money in a dormant CTF. Parents of children aged 18-22 should also check if their children have claimed the funds to which they are entitled.
Children born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 were eligible for a CTF account, with the government contributing an initial deposit, typically at least £250. These accounts were set up as long-term savings for newly born children.
HMRC’s Second Permanent Secretary and Deputy Chief Executive, said:
Thousands of Child Trust Fund accounts are sitting unclaimed – we want to reunite young people with their money and we’re making the process as simple as possible.
You don’t need to pay anyone to find your Child Trust Fund for you, locate yours today by searching ‘find your Child Trust Fund’ on GOV.UK.
Approximately 6.3 million Child Trust Fund (CTF) accounts were created during the scheme’s operation. If a parent or guardian was unable to open an account for their child, HMRC stepped in and set up a savings account on the child’s behalf.