Start your child on the path to investing with an UGMA/UTMA account.
At T.RowePrice, an UGMA/UTMA account can be used to start your child on the path toinvesting.
An UGMA or UTMA (named for the Uniform Gifts to Minors and Uniform Transfers to Minors Acts) is a custodial account that allows you to give money to a minor while maintaining control over the money until the child reaches the age ofmajority.
Investment Flexibility
UGMA/UTMA accounts are simple to set up and can invest in virtually any asset, including mutual funds, stocks, andbonds.
Asset Control
These accounts have an adult custodian (you, or whomever you designate) who controls the money—how it is invested and spent—until the child reaches the age of majority or the custodianship terminates. The legal age in most states is 18 or 21, although some states allow UTMA custodianships to continue to age25.
Gifts and transfers to minors are irrevocable. The funds must be spent to benefit the child, and donors are prohibited from ever taking the money back for other uses or for another child. When the custodianship terminates (usually your state’s age of majority), the money must be turned over to the former minor—to use as he or she seesfit.
Tax Advantages
Because money placed in an UGMA/UTMA account is owned by the child, earnings are generally taxed at the child’s—usually lower—tax rate, rather than the parent’s rate. For some families, this savings can besignificant.
Tax Benefits
Children under 19 or24*
- Up to $1,050 in earningstax-free.
- The next $1,050 is taxable at the child's taxrate.
- Any earnings over $2,100 are taxed at the parent'srate.
*Age 19, or age 24 for full-time students whose unearned income does not provide half of theirsupport
Financial Aid
Because the money in a custodial account is your child’s asset and not yours, be aware that UGMA/UTMA assets potentially can have a significant impact on the financial aid package the student receives. The federal financial aid formula typically requires a student to contribute more of his or her total assets to college costs each year (up to 35%), whereas parents are expected to contribute less, at most 5.6% of theirassets..
Compare Your Options
Our College Planning section offers a College Savings Plan Comparison Table that lets you review your college choices side byside.
