Table of Contents
What are premium bonds, and why are so many people interested in them? Well, if you are looking for tax-free earnings or perhaps you want a trustworthy means of savings for your children or relatives, premium bonds might be your go-to option.
| 🧒🏻 Is premium bonds for children a good investment? | Yes, premium bonds are a good way of saving for your children |
| 🤑 When can my child receive their premium bond? | On their 16th birthday |
| 🫰 What is the minimum deposit requirement for children’s premium bonds? | The minimum amount for premium bonds is £25.00 |
| 🧾 Taxes of prize money? | UK prizes are tax free. Free of Income Tax and Capital Gains tax |
What are premium bonds?
Premium bonds issued by the UK government’s National Savings and Investments Agency (NS&I) are a non-traditional savings product that dates to 1956. However, it exists in the UK and several other European countries and is trusted by 25 million people. Premium bonds are investments placed in a savings account that allows penalty-free withdrawals.
No interest is earned on premium bonds. Instead, the interest-rate funds are placed in a monthly draw, and any prize won is tax-free. Each £1 put into a premium bonds account stands a chance to win a monthly cash prize, from 25 to 1 million pounds. The more £1 bonds you buy, the higher your chances of winning. The odds of winning are 35,000 to 1. Also, note that while most banks only guarantee your savings up to £85,000, your savings with NS&I is in safe hands with a 100% guarantee. Adding premium bonds to an investment portfolio can make it more diverse and balanced.
Buying premium bonds for a child
Premium bonds for children are premium bonds bought by parents for children under 16. When buying children’s premium bonds, the parents or guardians are signatories to the child’s account and are responsible for the account until the child turns 16. Investing for children is very important but tricky, and parents can use premium bonds to get started.
Buying premium bonds for grandchildren
Premium bonds for grandchildren are premium bonds bought by grandparents for their grandchildren. The grandparents can invest from £25 to £50,000 on behalf of the grandchild under the age of 16. Investing in premium bonds can be a beneficial choice when securing investments for grandchildren.
Differences between children’s premium bonds and other savings products
There are several key differences between Children’s Premium Bonds and other savings products when considering how to invest:
- Interest vs Prize Draw: Children’s premium bonds do not earn any interest, in contrast to conventional savings products. Instead, they provide a chance to win tax-free prizes in a drawing held monthly, and the reward values range from sums like £25 to the jackpot of £1 million. In contrast to interest-bearing savings accounts, buying premium bonds for a child has a chance and thrill component.
- No Guaranteed Returns: You normally obtain a fixed or variable interest rate with other savings products like savings accounts or certificates of deposit (CDs), which guarantees a return on your investment. On the other hand, premium bonds for children do not guarantee a return. While the chances of winning rewards exist, there is no guarantee of doing so.
- Accessibility and Flexibility: Since children’s premium bonds can be redeemed without incurring penalties at any moment, giving them great flexibility. This may be helpful when there is a need to access the money for a particular reason or if things change. Other savings plans may have limitations or fees for early withdrawals.
- UK government backing: A child premium bond is backed by the UK government, so they are viewed as low-risk investments as the government ensures the security of the money invested. In contrast, a child savings account may entail varied amounts of risk due to underlying investment performance.
- Financial education and Literacy: Buying children’s premium bonds can present a special chance to introduce kids to the idea of saving money and making investments. It will help children learn about the advantages of saving money. Other savings products might not have the same level of intrigue or excitement.
Suppose you are buying premium bonds for a child or buying premium bonds for grandchildren. In that case, it’s crucial to assess individual preferences, financial goals, and the risk tolerance of the child and the parents or guardians to make an informed decision.
How to buy premium bonds
There are three ways to buy premium bonds. You can buy the bonds online, by post, or over the phone. The fastest way to buy premium bonds is online; via the National Savings and Investment (NS&I) website. Over the phone purchases will require your debit card details. If you buy premium bonds through the post, mail in a complete application form and make payment via cheque.
The minimum amount you can invest is £25, while the maximum an individual can have in premium bonds is £50,000. However, it is worth noting that you will need to have your money in the bond for one calendar month before you are eligible for the draw.
How do I buy premium bonds for children under 16?
Parents can invest in premium bonds for children. However, children under the age of 16 are not allowed to buy premium bonds, so their parents must be custodians of their children’s premium bonds.
Buying as a parent
You can buy premium bonds for your children over the phone, online or by post. While filling out the application form, a section must be filled with the parent or legal guardian’s information. The parent will oversee the premium bonds for the children until the child reaches the age of 16. Once the child turns 16, the premium bond is transferred to the child.
Buying for someone else’s child
If you want to buy premium bonds for someone else’s child, you need to apply via post or online. When filling out the form, you need to input the nominated parents’ or guardians’ details. You will get a message confirming your investment, and you can also request a paper gift card to show the child or their guardian. Even though you bought the premium bond for the child, only their consented guardian can manage the premium bond account.
Can grandparents buy premium bonds for grandchildren
Yes, grandparents can gift premium bonds to their grandchildren. Investing in premium bonds can be a beneficial choice when considering investments for grandchildren. How to buy premium bonds for grandchildren is relatively the same way as explained earlier, and unless the child is above 16, their nominated guardian will oversee the premium bond account.
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Capital at risk. Tax treatment depends on your individual circ*mstances and may be subject to change in the future.
What happens to premium bonds when the child reaches 16
Once the child turns 16, they will take over the premium bond savings account and become responsible for the savings account. The premium bonds account can be accessed and managed online. However, before the 16-year-old can own their account, they need to fill out a registration form because the NS&I, home to premium bonds, needs an address and a witness to the child’s signature as evidence of identity.
How to top up your child’s premium bond account
You can purchase more premium bonds for children once they already own premium bonds. You can buy more children’s premium bonds online or by telephone. You can also buy bonds online using a bank transfer, but you can set up a standing order with your bank if you want to top up regularly. Each minimum deposit for your child’s premium bond account is £25.
How to transfer investments to premium bonds
You can transfer investments from any of your NS&I accounts to your premium bond. If the premium bond transfer is for your child, the account must be in the child’s name, and you must be the parent or legal guardian responsible for the account. You can complete an online form or send NS&I the necessary information via post.
Why choose premium bonds for your children
When considering how to invest and explore the best options for a child, it’s important to note the differences between premium bonds and other savings products like ISAs, including the ongoing ISAs vs bonds debate.
Premium bonds for children are one of the safest gambles you can take if you are looking to set your kids up before they turn 16. Premium bonds might not earn any interest, but you get the chance to win £1 million while the principal amount is safe. 2021 statistics showed that over 100,000 children under the age of 16 have a premium bond account. You can also get them for someone else’s kids, although not without the guardian’s knowledge, as you would need to fill in the address and date of birth for yourself, the child, and their guardian.
The details on prizes won, or any other transaction will be sent to the guardian or responsible parent until the child turns 16. First-time premium bond registration could take 2-3 days before your account is active. When considering how to invest and explore the best options, it’s important to note that a junior ISA is another popular choice for children’s savings.
Junior ISAs come in a variety of alternatives, such as cash ISAs and stocks and shares ISAs and offer a tax-efficient way to save or invest for a child’s future. ISAs may give potential returns through interest or investment growth and have contribution restrictions. Making an educated choice on the best ISAs for a baby can be aided by researching the features, advantages, and terms of various junior ISA providers.
Always consult with a financial advisor to determine whether premium bonds are a good fit for the investment strategy for your child.
What are the benefits of children’s premium bonds?
There are several benefits to a child premium bond.
- The chance to win a tax-free monthly prize draw.
- Premium bonds for children are backed by the UK government, providing a secure savings option.
- A child premium bond offer flexibility and easy access to funds without penalty.
- There is no risk of losing the initial investment, and the principal amount remains intact. This makes children’s premium bonds a low-risk savings option.
- Children’s premium bonds also have educational value, teaching children about financial responsibility and money management.
Buying premium bonds for a child can be a part of the overall financial strategy to save and potentially grow savings. It’s important to consider the cost of raising a child in the UK when budgeting and saving, as well as exploring other savings and investment options that align with one’s financial goals and circ*mstances.
FAQ
How many Premium Bonds can a child have?
Parents, grandparents and family members can buy premium bonds for a child, and a child’s account can have multiple guardians linked to it. However, the total amount a child can have in premium bonds is £50,000.
What happens if your child wins premium bonds?
Once a child wins the jackpot, the money goes to the parent or guardian in charge of the child’s account. The parent or ‘responsible person’ looking after the child’s bond will determine what to do with the prize money.
Are Premium bonds safe and secure?
Yes, premium bonds are safe and secure. Premium bonds are authorised and regulated by the Treasury and backed by the government. So your money is 100% protected, and the amount you put into a premium bond is the amount you are paid back.
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Capital at risk. Tax treatment depends on your individual circ*mstances and may be subject to change in the future.
*Capital at risk. Tax treatment depends on your individual circ*mstances and may be subject to change in the future.
