IRA for Minors

A retirement account for children under 18 with earned income

Annual contributions

$6,500, or 100% of taxable compensation for the year, whichever is less

4.8M

16–19 year olds are employed in the US1

Why a IRA for minors?


Eligibility information

Eligible participants are under age 18 and must have earned income for the tax year for which a contribution is made


Tax-deferred earnings

Earnings generally grow on a tax-deferred basis, which may allow for assets to accumulate more quickly than in a taxable account


No annual IRA fees and no account minimums

Transaction fees, fund expenses, brokerage commissions, and service fees may apply


Access to a wide range of investment choices

Choose from a wide range of stocks, bonds, options, 7,000+ mutual funds, and ETFs

Trade more, pay less

With E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, you pay $0 commissions for online US-listed stock, ETF, mutual fund, and options trades. Here’s a quick overview of our clear, competitive per-trade pricing.1

Stocks

$0

ETFs

$0

Mutual Funds

$0

Bonds

$1.00

per bond for online secondary market trades ($10 minimum, $250 maximum)4

Options

50¢ - 65¢

per contract2

IRA for Minors FAQs

See all FAQs

Already have an IRA? Contribute now.

Can an individual open an IRA for his or her child?

Yes. If the child is under age 18 and has earned income. The IRA for Minors account is opened by the minor's custodian (parent or legal guardian) who must sign the application. Additional requirements are the minor must be a U.S. citizen or resident with a valid U.S. address.

Learn more about IRAs for Minors.

What are the eligibility requirements for IRA for Minors?

  • Eligible participants are under age 18
  • The minor must have earned income for the tax year in which a contribution is made
  • A custodian (parent or legal guardian) establishes, trades, and maintains the account for the benefit of the minor. Only one custodian is allowed per account.
  • The minor must be a US citizen or resident
  • IRAs for Minors must be established by the tax filing deadline (without extensions) for the tax year to which the qualifying contribution(s) will apply. This date is generally April 15 of each year. Applications postmarked by this date will be accepted.

 

How much can a child contribute to his or her IRA?

The current IRA contribution limit is 100% of earned income, or $6,000, whichever is less.

Can an investor set up recurring contributions to a child’s IRA?

Yes, recurring contributions can be set up to a child’s IRA, up to the annual maximum contribution limit.

Can a child deduct a Traditional IRA contribution?

Determining if a child can deduct all or part of Traditional IRA contribution is based on various factors. To determine the exact amount of your child’s contribution that can be deducted, consider using the IRA Selector or view IRA Contribution Limits and Deadlines to learn more.

Are there any fees for a child’s IRA?

There are no annual IRA fees and no account minimums for E*TRADE IRA accounts. Transaction fees, fund expenses, brokerage commissions, and service fees may apply.

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