What happens to a Junior ISA at age 18?

When a child turns age 18, we’ll convert their Junior ISA to a Stocks and shares ISA in their own name. As the account holder, they’ll then be responsible for managing the ISA, including how and when to withdraw cash if they want to.

If you’re the registered contact of a Junior ISA, we’ll contact you at the start of the process and set out what’s required.

What happens when a Junior ISA matures?

Here's how the transfer of control – from you to them – happens.

• Around a month before the child turns 18, we’ll write to you to confirm that the Junior ISA will soon mature. We’ll also give you information you’ll both need to help you prepare.
• Just before the child turns 18, we’ll send them a letter and a form to register the ISA in their own name.
• They’ll then need to complete and return the ISA form to us on or after their 18th birthday, along with two forms of identification.
• Once the process is complete, we'll send them instruction to access the ISA and useful information to help them manage it.

We realise that they’ll be new to investing, so along with links to our helpful online resources, there’s an option to nominate a family member for access to help them manage their new ISA.

Can parents withdraw money from a Junior ISA?

No, it’s not usually possible for anyone to withdraw money from a Junior ISA. The only exceptions are if the child becomes terminally ill, or passes away before age 18.

Once a Junior ISA has converted to a Stocks and shares ISA, the child who’s turned 18 can withdraw money from their ISA under normal ISA rules.