Account comparison
Junior ISA, Junior SIPP and more, side by side
How each account works, when your child can use it, and what the tax rules are.
At a glance
| Junior ISA | Junior SIPP | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual limit | £9,000 | £2,880 (£3,600 with top-up) |
| Tax relief | — | ✓ 25% |
| Access age | 18 | 57+ |
| Tax-free growth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Best for | Flexibility | Retirement |
Detailed comparison
Open each product to see full details.
📈Junior ISATax-free growth · Theirs at 18 · £9,000▼
Benefits
- ✓ Tax-free growth
- ✓ Tax-free withdrawal at 18
- ✓ Flexible investment options
- ✓ Can be used for any purpose
Things to consider
- • No tax relief on contributions
- • Locked until age 18
- • Annual limit of £9,000
🎯Junior SIPP+25% government top-up · Locked until 57+ · £3,600 gross (£2,880 from you)▼
Benefits
- ✓ 25% boost to every contribution
- ✓ Tax-free growth
- ✓ 25% tax-free at retirement (rest taxed)
- ✓ Lifetime retirement fund
- ✓ Works even if you don't pay tax
Things to consider
- • Locked until age 57+
- • Annual limit of £3,600 gross
- • Very long-term investment
🏦Savings accountInstant access · Withdraw any time · No limit▼
Benefits
- ✓ Immediate access
- ✓ No contribution limits
- ✓ Flexible use
- ✓ Lower risk
Things to consider
- • Interest taxed (if over allowance)
- • Lower returns typically
- • No tax relief
- • Inflation erosion
🎟️Premium BondsTax-free prizes · They can manage it from 16 · £50,000 max holding▼
Benefits
- ✓ Tax-free prizes
- ✓ Capital protected
- ✓ Fun factor
- ✓ No risk to capital
Things to consider
- • No guaranteed returns
- • Effective rate often low
- • Inflation erosion
- • £25 minimum investment
For retirement savings
Junior SIPP: built for retirement
Government adds 25% to every contribution. Built for the very long term.
For age-18 access
Junior ISA: theirs at 18
Your child gets full access at 18. Great for university, first home, or starting adult life.
Using both
Many families use both
Junior SIPP for retirement (with the government top-up) + Junior ISA for flexibility at 18.
Key points to remember
- • Junior SIPPs and Junior ISAs both grow completely tax-free
- • Junior SIPPs get a 25% government top-up — even if you don't pay tax
- • Junior ISAs offer earlier access (age 18 vs 57+ for SIPPs)
- • Many families use both
- • Grandparents and family can contribute to both
- • Annual allowances don't carry over — use them each tax year
- • The earlier you start, the longer growth has to build on growth
Educational comparison of how these account types work — not financial advice. What suits your family depends on your circumstances.