How to invest your Child Benefit?

Karen Deenihan, Senior Savings, Investments, & Funds Marketing Manager, Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland DAC

Small Gifts Can Mean Big Futures (and Fewer “Can I Borrow €20?” Texts Later)

The Irish government gives parents or guardians €140 per child^{Footnote [1]} every month. That’s not just for nappies and nuggets—it’s a golden opportunity to build your child’s financial future.

Let’s talk about investing that Child Benefit. Because while your toddler is busy finger-painting the dog, you could be quietly building them a college fund, a house deposit, a wedding fund, or just set them up for more financial security when they’re older.

The Regular Savers:   The power of investing early

Here’s what could happen when you invest that €140 Child Benefit monthly into Aviva’s Children’s Savings Investment Trust:

Projected value of investing €140 per month (Child Benefit) in Aviva’s Children’s Savings Investment Trust^{Footnote [2]}

Warning: These figures are estimates only. They are not a reliable guide to the future performance of your investment.

That’s the magic of compound returns. It’s like a snowball rolling downhill—except instead of snow, it’s money. And instead of downhill, it’s... well, still money.

Aviva’s Tax-Savvy Options

1. The €3,000-a-Year Gift Trick

You can gift up to €3,000 a year to your child gift tax-free. And so can Granny. And Grandad. And your partner. That’s €12,000 a year into a Children’s Savings Investment Trust .

2. The Big Gift Strategy

Every child can receive up to €400,000 tax-free from their parents or €40,000 from their grandparents, provided they haven’t received any other gifts from certain family members. So if you have money sitting on deposit, earning low interest, you could invest it now in Aviva’s Children’s Investment Trust , and give it the potential to grow, and only pay exit tax on the gains. 

3. Section 73 Policy

Planning to gift your child a house or another large financial gift someday? A Section 73 Savings  policy helps cover the gift tax^{Footnote [3]}. 

Why Aviva?

• Flexible contributions (starting from €100 per month)
• Tax-efficient options
• Range of investment options with choice across risk profiles, asset classes, investment managers, and investment styles.
• Long-term growth potential
• Check investment anytime through My Aviva. 

Start now. Future you will thank you.

Whether you’re saving for college, a car, or just trying to avoid being your child’s future landlord, investing the Children’s Allowance or a lump sum sitting in the bank could be a smart move. 

Talk to a financial broker today.  

Because someday, your child might say, “Thanks for investing in my future.”