A Junior SIPP is a tax-efficient pension for children, allowing contributions of up to £2,880 per year, topped up to £3,600 with 20% government tax relief
Funds are locked away until retirement (age 55, rising to 57 by 2028)
Any UK resident child under 18 can hold one, opened by a parent or guardian.
Fidelity International
Fees: No platform fee, making it the most cost-effective option
Features: Wide range of funds and shares, no service charge
User Feedback:
“Fidelity International don’t charge a platform fee for junior SIPPs so that’s the obvious choice.”
“Fidelity has no platform fees for JISAs or Junior SIPPs. Invest in low-fee index funds … Set it and forget it.”
Hargreaves Lansdown (HL)
Fees: Annual holding charge up to 0.45%, free to set up
Investment Options: Thousands of funds, shares, and ready-made plan available
User Feedback:
“Until age 18, both HL and Fidelity are equally the best, as neither of them apply a platform charge to their junior products.”
AJ Bell
Fees: Up to 0.25%, capped charges when holdings grow
Investing: Direct trading, low dealing fees (~£1.50), flexible investment options
Bestinvest
Fees: 0.2% for ready-made portfolios and US shares, 0.4% for other investments
Extras: Awarded Best Junior SIPP 2024 for added advice and support
Aegon
Fees: No platform charges until the child turns 18
Purpose: Designed for long-term generational planning via financial advisors
Hartley Pensions
Fees: £50 + VAT initial setup and £50 + VAT annual administration
Service: Personalized, direct support from a named pension administrator—not a generic call centre
Quick Comparison Table
| Provider | Platform Fee | Investment Options | Stand-out Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fidelity | None | Broad range of funds/shares | Lowest cost; highly recommended in forums |
| HL | Up to 0.45% | Extensive investment choices | Trusted platform with ready-made plans |
| AJ Bell | Up to 0.25%, capped | Wide choice + low deal fees | Good for trading and growing balances |
| Bestinvest | 0.2%–0.4% | Funds, portfolios, US shares | Expert support + award-winning service |
| Aegon | None until child is 18 | Advisor-led, varied investments | Designed for inheritance planning |
| Hartley Pensions | £50 setup & annual fee | Single investment initially | Personalized service |
Tips for Choosing the Right Junior SIPP
- Prioritize Low Fees – Platforms like Fidelity and Aegon save you long-term.
- Consider Investment Range – Want ready-made portfolios or hands-on options? HL, AJ Bell, and Bestinvest offer both.
- Choose Service Style – Prefer personal support? Hartley stands out with human-admin.
- Think Long-Term – Aegon is tailored for inheritance and wealth planning.
- Accessibility – Opt for platforms with apps or family account linking like AJ Bell and Bestinvest.
Final Thoughts
A Junior SIPP is a powerful way to turbocharge a child’s long-term savings with tax relief and compounding. For many, Fidelity is the cheapest and simplest option; HL is a trusted all-rounder; AJ Bell and Bestinvest offer great choice and support; Aegon excels in inheritance planning; and Hartley delivers personalized service.
