Why has the value of my child trust fund changed?
The value of my withdrawal or re-investment is different from what I asked for
We close accounts the working day after we're given an instruction. This means there has been time for the value of your account to change. The amount you re-invest or withdraw therefore might not be exactly how much was in the account at the moment you told us what you wanted to do.
The way it can change varies depending on the type of account you have:
What happens if you make more than one instruction?
If you have made multiple instructions (for example, opened more than one product or made a withdrawal and re-invested) then we prioritise where any change in value occurs. This means that most of the time the value of only one of your instructions will have changed.
Why do I have a different amount in my child trust fund compared to other people my age?
Everyone born in the UK between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011 was given a voucher worth at least £250 to invest in a child trust fund. The fund is in your name and no-one, including you, is able to access the investment until you turn 18.
There are three reasons why you and your peers may have different amounts in your child trust funds when you do reach 18.
- You may have started with a different amount. The scheme changed over time so those born later generally were given less. How much money your family had also affected how much the government gave you.
- Friends or family members may have added additional money.
- You may have a different type of fund. There are many different types of child trust funds. Your parents will have chosen a fund to put your voucher in or this may have been allocated on your behalf. Different funds performed differently, meaning some went up in value more than others.
However much you have invested, it's important to know what your options are. Find out the next steps open to you here.
Got a question?
If you would like more information on how we calculate account values please send us a secure message.
Help with managing your child trust fund
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