Quantcast
Menu Off Menu On

We have decided to start savings plans for our grandchildren.

John | BKM| 01/01/2018 | 1

  • Junior ISA
  • Lifetime ISA
  • Shares
  • Funds

John's question in full

We have four grandchildren (2 English living in UK, and 2 Irish living in Eire). We have decided to start savings plans for their futures. Their ages are 18yrs, 11yrs, 8yrs and 4yrs respectively. My age is 75yrs, and my wife is a little older. What should we do, please?

Martin's Response

It’s always good to hear about grandparents wanting to give a helping hand to the future generations. In general terms, there’s a lot of wealth inequality between the post-war ‘baby boomer’ generation and youngsters of today, with the future looking rather bleak (financially) for kids growing up. A combination of high living costs, large student debts and unaffordable property prices makes a wealth transfer the only way most children growing up today will be able to afford a secure financial future.

The range of ages of your grandchildren pose some challenges from a financial planning perspective, in terms of how you treat them fairly, allocate money to different levels of investment risk, and consider tax planning for both them and you. 

Starting with some inheritance tax considerations for you. During your lifetime, you each have a £3,000 annual ‘gift allowance’. You can any unused gift allowance over from one tax year to the next, so if you’ve not made gifts before you’ve got the potential to gift up to £6,000 in the first year. There are some other tax-free allowances for inheritance tax purposes, including gifts worth less than £250 (although this can’t include gifts to anyone who has benefited from your annual gift allowance) and wedding gifts of up to £2,500 to a grandchild.


Perhaps the most useful inheritance tax allowance is gifts made out of any surplus income you have. These need to be regular gifts and you have to demonstrate that making the gifts doesn’t reduce your standard of living. Regularly paying into a savings or investment account for your grandchildren is likely to benefit from this surplus income allowance and the best way to demonstrate affordability is working with a Financial Planner to construct a lifetime Financial Plan.

Once you have decided how much to gift, for the three younger grandchildren you could contribute to their Junior ISAs. Their parents would need to open these accounts on their behalf, but once open you can contribute towards the maximum savings limit of £4,128 this tax year. This money is then invested tax-free until the child reaches their 18th birthday, at which point they have full access to the cash, but could (with some parental guidance) choose to roll the money over into an ordinary ISA.

With interest rates so low at the moment, putting this money into cash is likely to be unappealing. Instead, you could invest the monthly contributions into an investment fund spread across a range of investment assets, to help reduce the risk. The act of investing money also helps to reduce risk over time, a process known as pound cost averaging.

For the 18 year old grandchild, your options are a little more limited. You could speak to a solicitor and create an 18-25 Trust, which restricts access to the cash until they reach their 25th birthday. From a tax perspective, this means any income within the trust is subject to income tax at the trust rate of 45% on gross non dividend income exceeding £1,000, or at 37.5% on dividend income. Depending on the size of the gifts, it’s unlikely that any income tax will be charged. Capital gains tax should also be within the trust’s annual allowance, which is £5,650 in the current tax year, unless you are making substantial gifts.

Alternatively, you might agree to pay towards their living costs whilst at University or during their first career, for a period of time. If they are still in full-time education, this category of gift is free from inheritance tax too.

Best wishes,
Martin 

Our Expert

Martin Bamford.jpg

Martin Bamford

Martin is a chartered financial planner at Informed Choice, Fellow of the Personal Finance Society and personal finance author. He aims to help people just like you find answers to the big financial questions, making sure you can live a meaningful life as a result.

Related Questions

Got a Question?

  • I have had a Hargreaves Lansdown Stocks & Shares ISA for the past 2+ years, divided into their Portfolio Plus Balanced Growth and in a mixture of shares I selected myself. While I am happy to keep the shares element, I don’t feel the managed portfolio is working for me and I could do better elsewhere. Where would you suggest I could invest for a better return? I am happy with balanced and some element of high risk. I’m 47, have two primary school age children, & live in central London. I also have a mortgage and a workplace pension.

    Jennifer | London | 20/03/2019 | 0

    • Shares
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • My Fundsmith accumulation Class 1 investment fund has done well over the last 5 years, and its share price today is just about the highest it's ever been. Should I bank it now in case it goes down, or leave it and diversify by reinvesting monthly elsewhere in another fund?

    Peter | Stockport | 18/03/2019 | 0

    • Funds
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • Can I use a Lifetime ISA if I am a first time buyer, but I will be getting a joint mortgage with someone who is not a first time buyer?

    Katie | Kent | 14/03/2019 | 1

    • Lifetime ISA
    Helena Wardle's Response

  • I am in my mid 20s & earning a regular salary. I have decent savings and am toying with the idea of Wahed Invest (I am looking for shariah compliant funds). I am also dabbling with the idea of property. If I have no financial commitments (living at home for next 2 yrs), is it worth using 90% of my savings for a house deposit for buy-to-let purposes? I am thinking this would reduce my loan to value?

    Zara | West Midlands | 12/03/2019 | 0

    • Lifetime ISA
    • Cash
    • Robo Adviser
    David Stone's Response

  • My son has a work-based pension which he contributes 3% to, matched by 3% from his employer. He has nearly 10k with Nutmeg, 4K + in a Lifetime ISA, the rest in an ISA. If he increases his pension contribution, I have read it may affect the amount he can borrow on a mortgage. Is this correct? Should he take a SIPP out as well? Is there any advantage in maxing out his managed Nutmeg Lifetime ISA in the next financial year?

    Richard | Hertfordshire | 06/03/2019 | 2

    • Private Pension
    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Lifetime ISA
    • Pension
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I’m 36 years old, earn £85k, and have about £40k savings in the bank, mainly in an old ISA that I’ve done nothing with. I have a five year old daughter and would like to put my savings somewhere clever so they start to do something useful by the time she starts at an independent secondary school and fees go through the roof. Any bright ideas please?

    Milly | Berkshire | 22/02/2019 | 2

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Junior ISA
    • Shares
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Catherine Morgan's Response

  • I've been reading recently about how investment trusts are much the same as funds, but are cheaper to own. A: Is this true? and B: Do you have an article on Investment trusts on your site?

    Nick | Surrey | 16/01/2019 | 2

    • Funds
    • Other
    Phoebe Smith's Response

  • Hello, I really enjoy your website and find it useful and concise. My question is, what is meant by long term savings? I am 54, so what should I consider to be an appropriate time frame for any investment I make, that could supply the best results?

    Jennifer | Essex | 16/01/2019 | 9

    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    • Pension
    Anna Sofat's Response

  • I’ve been investing in Nutmeg’s Risk 10 profile for three years which helped my deposit for my house. I am now wondering whether to use Nutmeg again, or should I use LifeStrategy for my £1000 per month? Is there a difference between Vanguard's LifeStrategy option and let’s say a well known robo adviser like Nutmeg? I am still a beginner and would like to keep things simple, but happy to take risk and prepared to leave my investments for a long time.

    Jordan | Surrey | 26/11/2018 | 6

    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    Phoebe Smith's Response

  • I was lucky enough to inherit a significant sum from my father... currently in Alliance trust platform in 10 investment trusts. They have delivered well in the last 20 years. But they are UK equity based. And highly risky. Do you offer a sanity check service for confused individuals like myself? I don’t know what to do...

    Paul | Berkshire | 12/11/2018 | 2

    • Private Pension
    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I am 25 and starting to seriously financially plan out my future. I would really welcome a 'sense check' on my thinking as well as some help on which investment choices to make. My goals are: To invest for 15 years - my risk appetite is very high (i.e. I could afford to lose all my money). Goal 1 - More Important: To have an investment pot of £1,500,000. Goal 2 - Less Important: To be mortgage free. My plan is: 1) Open an annual Stocks and Shares ISA each of the next 15 years. 2) Open Share trading/dealing account. 3) Reduce my mortgage term to 6 years by 2025. I appreciate the above is a lot to go though, but I'd welcome any help and guidance.

    Mo | London | 15/10/2018 | 3

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Shares
    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    • Other
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • Can I use the Help to Buy scheme to buy a house in Jamaica? Kind regards, Kishana

    Kishana | Central | 11/09/2018 | 0

    • Lifetime ISA
    • Other
    Phoebe Smith's Response

  • Is there a reason you don’t list Saga in your Best Buys? Additionally, I have purchased a few investment trust shares but can’t work out how the dividends are paid. Scottish Mortgage is an example. I wasn't given an option to choose how to receive the dividends. It would be useful if you could provide some clarity on how investment trusts pay their dividends.

    Carl | Buckinghamshire | 07/09/2018 | 1

    • Shares
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • Any advice for two young people trying to get themselves a home? My girlfriend and I are saving for a house together. Currently house prices in our area are a ridiculous £300k. The max we can get from banks is about £220k, meaning somehow saving up a whopping £80k deposit. This would take us about 8 years (and house prices are increasing faster than we're saving!) That's not to mention solicitors fees, stamp duty, the cost of moving, furnishing the house, white goods, and any repairs or renovations. It all just seems impossible!!

    Joe | Buckinghamshire | 23/08/2018 | 0

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Lifetime ISA
    • Cash
    Kate Fitzpatrick's Response

  • Can you advise me on the best approach when looking to invest in a product that offers compound interest? I’m thinking about funds rather than bank accounts. I also have 4 different pensions on the go. Should I keep them separate to diversify the risk? Or consolidate them? How will these pensions be treated when I retire? Will they be considered in aggregate by the tax man?

    Craig | Clackmannanshire | 16/08/2018 | 1

    • Private Pension
    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    Helena Wardle's Response

  • I have about two thirds of my ISA in funds with Charles Stanley Direct and about one third left with St James's Place. I was planning to transfer the remaining one third to Charles Stanley Direct. However the recent platform price increases seem to put me in the worst position possible. I also have a private St James's Place pension. Would I be correct in thinking the fees are also high on this, and I could do better elsewhere? Can I transfer into an SIPP for example?

    Gerry | Bedfordshire | 15/08/2018 | 5

    • Private Pension
    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I invested my money in a St James's Place managed fund, split into ISAs and bonds, after advice from an adviser who was a St James's Place partner. My investments have done reasonably well, but I've read disturbing reports about St James's Place. Should I have concerns? Should I have found an independent financial adviser?

    Glyn | Essex | 09/08/2018 | 6

    • Funds
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I wanted an investment trust with an income, so I put £10,000 into The Investment Company. It delivers a reliable quarterly dividend but the capital value has dropped by 10% since I invested 2 years ago. What are your favourite investment trusts?

    Fran | Greater London | 08/08/2018 | 4

    • Shares
    • Funds
    Mark Dampier's Response

  • Is there an average number of funds that one should ideally hold? I have in excess of 20. I am happy with my portfolio and coverage, but wonder if I have too many funds. The second part to the question is how long should you leave an underperforming fund?

    Richard | Hertfordshire | 06/08/2018 | 3

    • Funds
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I'm 24 and would like to begin investing. Am I better off using a robo advisor such as Wealthify/Wealthsimple or a fund such as Vanguard LifeStrategy?

    Amanda | Greater London | 06/08/2018 | 6

    • Shares
    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I have cash saved in ISAs and savings accounts - probably a 30% deposit on a property - first time buyer. I am at least 12 months away from getting a permanent job, so at least 12 months away from buying a property. What can I do with the cash in the meantime? Best just to leave it in cash for now, or invest a portion in stocks and shares ISAs?

    Malti | London | 25/07/2018 | 2

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Lifetime ISA
    • Cash
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I am 73 and cautious. There are two areas that your advice would be helpful..what if you just spend thousands on buying the gold standard footsie companies like shell and the rest and keep them for five years and then cash them in ?

    DB | UK | 24/07/2018 | 6

    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    • Pension
    Holly's Response

  • I hope you can help. I recently consolidated two modest pensions into a SIPP in readiness to start UPFLS drawdown in May (2018). Whilst I was hoping for growth in my investments I wasn’t expecting it to rocket and now find I could well be looking at exceeding the lifetime allowance, possibly even before my first annual drawdown in May, and I’m unsure what, if anything, I should do.

    John | LDN | 03/07/2018 | 1

    • Private Pension
    • Funds
    Richard Allum, MD of The Paraplanners's Response

  • Hello Are there any specific pensions you would recommend, with low charges, which I can set up for my 11 yr old son. I am already paying the maximum into a junior isa. AH

    Anita | SXW | 18/06/2018 | 3

    • Private Pension
    • Junior ISA
    Richard Allum, MD, Paraplanners 's Response

  • What are the differences between income and accumulation income funds? How do you declare income reinvested in a fund on your tax return?

    C | 05/06/2018 | 0

    • Funds
    Helena Wardle's Response

  • I have a Virgin Money stocks and shares ISA which I started in 2016 and pay £75 into a month. Can I take a new stocks and shares ISA with a new provider before the end of the tax year?

    Balwant | 29/05/2018 | 2

    • Lifetime ISA
    Helena Wardle, Certified Financial Planner's Response

  • Who offers the best Lifetime ISA for first time buyers?

    Genevieve | Yorkshire | 23/05/2018 | 3

    • Lifetime ISA
    Helena Wardle, Certified Financial Planner's Response

  • Can I move an old Child Trust Fund?

    Suzanne | Greater London | 08/05/2018 | 0

    • Junior ISA
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I would like to open a Junior shares ISA for my Grandson for about £50/month. How do I go about it and can you recommend some reliable companies?

    Roger | Surrey | 26/04/2018 | 2

    • Junior ISA
    • Shares
    Founder and CEO's Response

  • Can you recommend some very basic books for a 69-year-old widow who is now having to manage her money? Thanks

    Martha | 12/04/2018 | 0

    • Shares
    • Funds
    Helena Wardle, Chartered Financial Planner, Sterling and Law's Response

  • I just found your web site (recommended in Andy Bell's book on Do It Yourself investing). Could you say why you do not review Halifax Share Dealing in your list of ISA providers? Is there anything wrong with this ISA provider for you not to include it?

    Gerald | 11/04/2018 | 0

    • Shares
    Dr Richard Bradley's Response

  • Hi, I've got an old D.B. pension, approximate value £12k. I would like to invest & top up each month. Who would you recommend? Also I would like to make an investment, & don't know where to start? Thanks

    Eve | 04/04/2018 | 5

    • Funds
    • Pension
    Helena Wardle's Response

  • I am post-divorce with a good settlement which I have only partially invested. Are there any courses you can recommend? I have sat in a number of meetings with accountants and financial advisers feeling somewhat patronised! I am sure that there are plenty of women in a similar position to me (aged 55!).

    Ellie | 14/03/2018 | 3

    • Shares
    • Funds
    • GIA
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • How can I find a good financial adviser?

    Byron | Greater London | 01/03/2018 | 0

    • Shares
    • Funds
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I am in the very lucky position of just having received a gift of £800k which I want to invest for our retirement. My husband and I are in our late 40s and aim to retire in around five years. We have 11 more years of school fees to fund, then hopefully university fees for two after that. I've put together a plan for us - can you have a look and see if it makes sense?

    Fiona | UK | 18/01/2018 | 6

    • Private Pension
    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Junior ISA
    • Shares
    • Cash
    • Online Investment Platforms
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • Given the recent poor performance in Woodford Equity Income, do you think I should sell it or wait for the fund to recover?

    Jenna | Cornwall | 17/12/2017 | 3

    • Funds
    Mark Dampier's Response

  • How do I start investing, buy stocks, bitcoins, etc with £100.00?

    Claudette | BDF | 18/11/2017 | 1

    • Shares
    • Other
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I am a 59 yr old retired lady with no income but I have reasonable equity..is it worth starting a pension or is it too late?

    LL | NFK | 10/11/2017 | 2

    • Private Pension
    • Shares
    • Pension
    Cherry Reynard's Response

  • I am getting long in the tooth at 79, a little forgetful and I am going through a painful divorce. This has shattered my confidence and I need help.

    Richard | Kent | 05/11/2017 | 3

    • Private Pension
    • Funds
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I have just sold my house and have a significant sum of money I want to invest. I may want to draw some income but also want to achieve capital growth. Are there funds that aim to achieve both or should I just invest for growth and draw money as I need to for income?

    Jon | SRY | 13/09/2017 | 1

    • Funds
    Peter Matthew's Response

  • I have a delightful 12 year old daughter and she has just opened her first bank account. I am dreadful with money but I would like to know what I should teach her so that she does not pick up my bad financial habits. Do you have some top tips of things to teach our children so they are wise and responsible with money please?

    Louise | Greater London | 11/09/2017 | 1

    • Junior ISA
    • Shares
    • Cash
    Lesley James's Response

  • I am interested in the Fund piece that Holly refers to in today's Money Supplement in the ST’s with 'Lindsell Train Global Equity'. I am looking for a fund for myself (54 yrs old) but also my son (19 yrs old). Is this fund suitable for either of us with an investment strategy of 10 years +.

    Richard | 22/01/2017 | 0

    • Funds
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I am confused about index funds, e.g. Vanguard Equity fund. Do they track an index or include the yield? In the case of Vanguard, their low cost is attractive but their portfolio is made up of other Vanguard funds. I assume these probably each carry a fee structure - is this correct?

    Robin | Gloucestershire | 03/09/2018 | 0

    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    Mark Dampier's Response

  • Is it worth using a financial adviser when it comes to switching pensions funds, or should I do the research and pick the funds myself? I am no expert in stocks and shares.

    Helen | Dorset | 10/08/2018 | 4

    • Private Pension
    • Shares
    • Funds
    Helena Wardle's Response

  • I am looking for a fund for myself (54 yrs old) but also my son (19 yrs old). Is this fund suitable for either of us with an investment strategy of 10 years +.

    | 29/05/2018 | 3

    • Robo Adviser
    • Funds
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • I use H&L and although they are a bit 'plumy' on the phone I quite like their website and the costs are OK. So I was thinking of H&L for [my son]. I would be telling him to open these two funds and regularly invest and forget about them for 10 years!

    R | Greater London | 29/05/2018 | 1

    • Lifetime ISA
    • Robo Adviser
    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • Given the recent poor performance in Woodford Equity Income, do you think I should sell it or wait for the fund to recover?

    | 29/05/2018 | 0

    • Funds
    Boring Money's Response

  • I have a bit of excess money to play around with and I have been looking at Investment funds. What is the typical % growth rate of an investment fund?

    David | Greater London | 07/09/2017 | 7

    • Online Investment Platforms
    • Funds
    Cherry Reynard's Response

  • What is the H2B ISA and how does it work?

    Dylan | Greater London | 07/09/2017 | 0

    • Lifetime ISA
    • Other
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • Should I be even thinking about the stock market?

    Lysa | Greater London | 06/09/2017 | 0

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Shares
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • Pensions vs ISA - which one is best?

    Roderick | Greater London | 06/09/2017 | 0

    • Stocks and Shares ISA
    • Junior ISA
    • Lifetime ISA
    • Pension
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • Where can I get a good Junior ISA?

    Rebeccah | Greater London | 06/09/2017 | 2

    • Junior ISA
    Holly Mackay's Response

  • What funds could my millennial children invest in?

    Anthony | Greater London | 06/09/2017 | 1

    • Funds
    Holly Mackay's Response

Got a question? Ask our experts

Ask Our Experts