Take a look at the tables below to get an estimated fund value and see what could be available in your future.

The table indicates what monthly or single contributions could be worth in years to come, assuming an annual investment growth rate of 5% and an annual management charge of 1.5% (reducing to 1% after 10 years). Automatic increases in monthly payments of 2.5% per year to keep pace with inflation are also assumed, where possible.

*The Government has announced that the maximum Junior ISA limit will rise in line with the Consumer Price Index, assumed to increase by 2% per year. The Forester Life Junior ISA is a stakeholder account and as such meets the standard for capped charges. Every year we send a statement showing the value of the Plan.

Important notes

• These figures are only examples and are not guaranteed. The actual value could be more or less than shown, and could be less than has been paid in. What you will get back depends on how much the investment grows and on the tax treatment of the investment.
• Inflation would reduce what you could buy in the future.
• These illustrated figures should be studied in conjunction with the Key Features of the Forester Life Junior ISA.
• These figures assume contributions and investment over 18 years. Top-ups to existing plans will be invested for a shorter period depending on the age of the child at the time.
• All payments are locked into the Plan until the child’s 18th birthday and cannot be reclaimed by the donor(s).

Is my child eligible?

Any child under 18 who is a UK resident for tax purposes and who does not have a Child Trust Fund (CTF) is eligible to have an account. If your child was born between 01/09/2002 and 02/01/2011 it is likely that they will have a Child Trust Fund. You can check if your child has a CTF via the HMRC website

Who can open a Junior ISA?

If your child is under 16, someone with parental responsibility must open the Junior ISA for them. Children aged 16 or 17 can open their own Junior ISA but someone with parental responsibility could still open the Plan for them. The person who opens the Plan is called the ‘Registered Contact’.

What do you mean by ‘parental responsibility’?

Parental responsibility means someone with the rights and duties of a parent for the child.

What are the charges?

The only charge for our Stakeholder Junior ISA is an annual management charge of 1.5% (reducing to 1% after 10 years). Unlike other providers, we don’t charge entry, exit or transfer fees.

The Foresters Stakeholder (Schroders) Managed Funds meet government-set stakeholder standards, which means more of your money is invested for your benefit.

What is the role of the Registered Contact?

The Registered Contact is the only person who can make decisions regarding the management of the Junior ISA (until the child reaches age 18 or age 16 if they take over responsibility at that time). We will send all correspondence regarding the Plan to the Registered Contact.

How is a Junior ISA different from an Adult ISA?

A Junior ISA is different because it allows adults to save and invest for and on behalf of a child. Other differences include a lower yearly allowance and withdrawals aren’t usually allowed until the child turns 18. However, like all ISAs, Junior ISAs are tax-efficient.

What types of Junior ISA can my child have?

Similar to Adult ISAs, there are two types of Junior ISA available:

• Stocks and Shares Junior ISA – invests in stocks and shares, and fixed interest bonds
• Cash Junior ISA – earns interest like a deposit account

Forester Life currently only offers Stocks and Shares Junior ISAs

How many Junior ISAs can a child have?

Each eligible child can have one Cash Junior ISA and one Stocks and Shares Junior ISA at any time.

Does a child have to have both their Junior ISAs with the same company?

No – the child can hold a Cash Junior ISA with one company and a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA with a different company.

What is a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA?

A Stocks and Shares Junior ISA is a ‘wrapper’ that can be put around a wide range of different savings and investment products. With Junior ISAs, you can build up your child’s savings free of personal liability to Income and Capital Gains Tax regardless of the rate at which you typically pay tax.

What’s the difference between a Junior ISA and a Child Trust Fund?

Unlike a Child Trust Fund, with a Junior ISA you can split your savings between a Cash Junior ISA and a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA. However, a Junior ISA does not benefit from Government contributions.

Can I open a Junior ISA for my child if they already have a Child Trust Fund?

No – a child is eligible for one or the other. However you may be able to transfer a CTF to a Junior ISA should you wish to.

Can I open a Junior ISA before a child is born?

No – a Junior ISA can only be opened after the child is born.

Can I be the Registered Contact for more than one Junior ISA?

Yes – you can be the Registered Contact for any Junior ISA for any child you have parental responsibility for. You can also be the Registered Contact for your own Junior ISA if you’re aged 16 or 17.

What is the minimum I can invest?

Designed for low-cost stakeholder savings, you, your family or friends can invest as little as £10, as a monthly contribution or £20 as a single contribution.

How can I contribute to my child's Forester Life Stocks and Shares Junior ISA?

Single contributions can be made by debit card or direct from your bank (via Direct Credit), or you can set up monthly contributions by Direct Debit.

Who can contribute to my child’s Forester Life Stocks and Shares Junior ISA?

Yourself, family and friends (in fact, anyone) can contribute, even your child, so it’s ideal for saving birthday and holiday money.

What happens if I change my mind after opening a Junior ISA?

The Registered Contact has 30 days to cancel the investment in writing, if they change their mind. You should receive a notice of the cancellation rights with your Junior ISA Plan documentation. Please refer to this in the Terms and Conditions for information on how to cancel the Plan.

What is the Junior ISA - Options?

The Junior ISA – Options is a Stocks and Shares product that is no longer open to new business however you can continue to make single and monthly contributions. Visit our online top up and gift centre where you can learn the various ways to contribute.

Where can I find information about my Junior ISA - Options?

The Junior ISA - Options was transferred to Forester Life from The Children's Mutual in January 2017. The Junior ISA - Options is no longer open to new business, however you can continue to contribute to your Plan. For more information about your Plan click here.

How do I add more money to the Plan?

Click here for ways to top up your Junior ISA. If you have an online account management for your Junior ISA online then you can add more money to your child’s Plan by using the “Add money” links in your online My Plans account. If you took out a Junior ISA or have a Junior ISA – Options and would like to contribute to your child’s Junior ISA with a Financial Adviser, please contact your local Financial Adviser or call us on 0800 99 00 22.

Can money be withdrawn?

Money cannot be withdrawn from the Junior ISA before your child reaches age 18. All savings are locked in until your child turns 18 – including any money contributed by your family and friends. At that age the fund can be payable as a cash lump sum to your child, allowing them to spend or reinvest it as they wish or automatically converted to an Adult ISA in the child’s name.

How do I change my contributions?

Contributions can be made by debit card, direct credit, standing order or cheque, or you can set up a monthly contribution by direct debit. The Junior ISA is a flexible and straightforward way to invest and easy to change if circumstances change.

If you would like to make any changes to current contributions to your child’s Junior ISA please contact Customer Services on 0333 600 0333.

What is the current Junior ISA annual limit?

The limit for the 2017/2018 tax year is £4,128 (previously £4,080 for the 2016/2017 tax year).

Can I open another Junior ISA account for another child?

Yes – you can open a Junior ISA as a Registered Contact for any child you have parental responsibility for.

Can I change who is named as a Registered Contact?

A Registered Contact who is also the child cannot be changed, otherwise the current Registered Contact will need to give permission before changing the person with the Registered Contact rights. To change the Registered Contact you will need to contact us on Customer Services on 0333 600 0333.

Can I transfer a Child Trust Fund into a Junior ISA?

Yes – you may transfer a CTF to a Junior ISA should you wish to.

Do I have to transfer my Child Trust Fund to a Junior ISA?

No, you do not have to transfer your child’s CTF to a Junior ISA.

Will my child’s existing Child Trust Fund be affected?

No. Child Trust Funds (CTFs)  will not be affected and we are committed to existing Child Trust Funds, so you will be able to continue to save as usual.

If I transfer a Child Trust Fund into a Junior ISA, can I transfer back?

Once we have received your application, you have seven days to withdraw from the transfer. However, after this period, you will not be able to transfer back to a Child Trust Fund.

I already have a Stocks and Shares (or Cash) Junior ISA. Can I transfer it to Foresters?

You can transfer it into a Forester Life Junior ISA, if you want to. Forester Life does not charge for transfers. 

I have paid into a Cash Junior ISA this tax year, what are my options?

As long as you have not paid your entire Junior ISA allowance into a Cash Junior ISA this year, then you may still be able to open an online Stocks and Shares Junior ISA with us. If you have fully funded a Cash Junior ISA this tax year you are still able to transfer it to us. However, we are currently unable to offer online servicing to Junior ISA Plans opened by transferring in this way.

What are the charges for making a transfer?

We do not make any separate charge for accepting or making transfers. However, your existing provider may apply a charge. The ongoing charges for the Forester Life Junior ISA are detailed in the Key Features document.

What happens after I apply to transfer?

Once we receive your transfer form, we will act upon your instructions so that your existing Junior ISA(s) can be transferred to us.

Can I manage a transferred Junior ISA online?

If you have an existing Junior ISA and use our online transfer application process, then you will be able to manage your transferred Junior ISA online using your My Plans login details created during the process.

Can I transfer only part of my Cash Junior ISA?

Yes – you may transfer part of your Cash Junior ISA and have a Cash Junior ISA and a Stocks and Shares Junior ISA running at the same time.

Can I transfer a Junior ISA to another means of saving?

No – All savings are locked until your child’s 18th birthday, at which point they’ll have the option to convert it to an Adult ISA.