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Saving for your children’s future? Here are six tips to get you started

1.

You can save for your child through a Junior ISA, children’s savings scheme or child’s pension. For more information, watch our video on the right or download our guide.

2.

Keeping savings in cash is low-risk, but putting money into investment companies could help your money grow more over time.

3.

Investment companies give you access to the long-term growth potential of the stock market, spreading your risk and offering professional fund management.

4.

If you’re confident making your own financial decisions, you can invest in investment companies through a platform (see Jargon buster on the right), which allows you to invest in a broad range of investment companies. Many platforms offer Junior ISAs.

5.

You could also invest through a management group’s in-house wrapper scheme, which gives you access to all the investment companies managed by that group.

6.

If you need help making your decision, consult a financial adviser.

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Download our guide

Saving factsheet

To find out more about saving for children using investment companies, download our easy-to-read guide.

Jargon buster

Click on the terms below to see what they mean.

Child’s pension

Exactly what it says, this is a pension you set up for your child. They won’t be able to access it until they are at least 55.

Children’s savings scheme

A scheme run by an asset management group that allows you to invest in either a ‘designated account’ (where you keep control over the shares) or a ‘bare trust’ (where the shares are legally held for your child and you hand them over when he or she gets older).

Child Trust Fund

Child Trust Funds were set up by the government for children born between 2002 and 2011. New ones can’t be opened any longer. They have similar tax benefits to Junior ISAs.

Investment company

A company whose shares are traded on the stock market, and which is set up to invest in other companies and assets. Investment companies spread your risk by giving you access to a diverse portfolio of investments, and are professionally managed.

Junior ISA

Like an adult ISA, this is a special savings account with tax benefits. Friends and family can contribute £4,260 per year, and your child will be able to access the investments when he or she turns 18.

Platform

Platforms allow you to open an account online to invest in a broad range of investments, including investment companies. Find out more on the AIC website.

Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investment company shares, and the income from them, can fall as well as rise. You may not get back the full amount invested and, in some cases, nothing at all.