Erin Yurday
Author
Thousands of lost accounts holding free £2,200 go unclaimed for people born on these dates
25 February 2026
3 min read
The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement.
More than 670,000 Child Trust Funds were left unclaimed last year, and the number could rise each year as more owners turn 18-years-old.
Child Trust Funds were tax-free savings accounts automatically created for every child in the UK born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011.
The Government deposited £250 into the account - or £500 for the most disadvantaged - and parents could add up to £9,000 extra a year tax free.
If a parent or guardian was not able to set up an account for their child, the Government opened a savings account on the child’s behalf.
Child Trust Funds have since been replaced by Junior ISAs. However, those still with a child under 18 can continue to pay into an existing, active Child Trust Fund.
Young people can take control of their Child Trust Fund at 16 and withdraw funds when they turn 18 and the account matures.
The oldest children on the scheme turned 18 in September 2020.
Latest figures show that between then and April 2024, about 2.3 million accounts have matured. Of those, about 1.6m were claimed or automatically transferred to an ISA as of April 2024.
As of April 2024, the average value of a Child Trust Fund was £2,212, Government figures show. HMRC is urging parents to check if their child has a forgotten savings account, which are held by banks, building societies or other savings providers. The money stays in the account until it’s withdrawn or re-invested.
Writing on X, HMRC said: "If you were born between 1st September 2001 and 2nd January 2011, you are likely to have a #ChildTrustFund worth an average of £2,200."
How to find your Child Trust Fund
Some parents or children may already know who their Child Trust Fund provider is and so can go directly to them. But if not, here's how to get more information.
If you were born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, you likely have a Child Trust Fund. You can track it down for free using these steps:
Use the Official HMRC Tool: Go to the GOV.UK "Find a Child Trust Fund" page.
Required Info: You will need your National Insurance number and a Government Gateway user ID.
HMRC Response: HMRC will write to you within three weeks to tell you which provider has your money.
Important Note: Do not pay third-party "finder" companies to do this for you. They often charge up to 25% of the account value (which could exceed £500!) for a service that is completely free via HMRC.
Read more:
Erin Yurday
Author
25 February 2026
3 min read
The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement.
Thousands of lost accounts holding free £2,200 go unclaimed for people born on these dates
Erin Yurday
Author
25 February 2026
3 min read
The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement.
More than 670,000 Child Trust Funds were left unclaimed last year, and the number could rise each year as more owners turn 18-years-old.
Child Trust Funds were tax-free savings accounts automatically created for every child in the UK born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011.
The Government deposited £250 into the account - or £500 for the most disadvantaged - and parents could add up to £9,000 extra a year tax free.
If a parent or guardian was not able to set up an account for their child, the Government opened a savings account on the child’s behalf.
Child Trust Funds have since been replaced by Junior ISAs. However, those still with a child under 18 can continue to pay into an existing, active Child Trust Fund.
Young people can take control of their Child Trust Fund at 16 and withdraw funds when they turn 18 and the account matures.
The oldest children on the scheme turned 18 in September 2020.
Latest figures show that between then and April 2024, about 2.3 million accounts have matured. Of those, about 1.6m were claimed or automatically transferred to an ISA as of April 2024.
As of April 2024, the average value of a Child Trust Fund was £2,212, Government figures show. HMRC is urging parents to check if their child has a forgotten savings account, which are held by banks, building societies or other savings providers. The money stays in the account until it’s withdrawn or re-invested.
Writing on X, HMRC said: "If you were born between 1st September 2001 and 2nd January 2011, you are likely to have a #ChildTrustFund worth an average of £2,200."
How to find your Child Trust Fund
Some parents or children may already know who their Child Trust Fund provider is and so can go directly to them. But if not, here's how to get more information.
If you were born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011, you likely have a Child Trust Fund. You can track it down for free using these steps:
Use the Official HMRC Tool: Go to the GOV.UK "Find a Child Trust Fund" page.
Required Info: You will need your National Insurance number and a Government Gateway user ID.
HMRC Response: HMRC will write to you within three weeks to tell you which provider has your money.
Important Note: Do not pay third-party "finder" companies to do this for you. They often charge up to 25% of the account value (which could exceed £500!) for a service that is completely free via HMRC.
Read more:
Erin Yurday
Author
25 February 2026
3 min read
The guidance on this site is based on our own analysis and is meant to help you identify options and narrow down your choices. We do not advise or tell you which product to buy; undertake your own due diligence before entering into any agreement.