# UNest > UNest is a fintech app that helps parents and families save and invest for children's futures through UTMA/UGMA custodial accounts, 529 college savings plans, and term life insurance. ## About - SEC-registered investment adviser (UNest Advisers, LLC) - Brokerage services through UNest Securities, LLC (FINRA/SIPC member) - Clearing through Apex Clearing Corporation - Founded in 2018 - Contact: support@unest.co - Website: https://unest.co ## Products ### Investment Accounts (UTMA/UGMA) UNest offers custodial investment accounts for children under the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA). Parents open an account as custodian, set up recurring contributions starting at $25/month, and choose from eight investment portfolios ranging from conservative to aggressive. Portfolios include age-based options and socially responsible options, all investing in low-cost ETFs. Funds can be used for any expense that benefits the child, not just education. Children gain access to the account when they reach the age of majority in their state (typically 18-25). Tax benefits: In 2025, the first $1,350 of annual earnings is tax-free. The next $1,350 is taxed at the child's rate. Earnings above $2,700 are taxed at the parents' rate. You can contribute up to $19,000 per individual ($38,000 for married couples) annually without federal gift tax. All accounts are held with Apex Clearing Corporation (FINRA/SIPC member) and insured up to $500,000. ### Life Insurance UNest partners with Ladder to offer affordable term life insurance. Users can get a quote in minutes through the UNest app. No phone calls, no pressure, clear pricing, and instant eligibility checks. ### College Savings UNest provides educational content and financial planning resources for parents. The blog covers topics including 529 plans, UTMA/UGMA accounts, college savings strategies, and family financial literacy. ### 530A Trump Accounts (Coming July 2026) UNest plans to offer 530A accounts (also known as "Trump Accounts") when they launch in 2026. These are a new type of IRA created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, designed exclusively for children. What is a 530A account? A 530A account is a tax-advantaged investment account for kids that works like an IRA but requires no earned income. Investments grow tax-deferred until withdrawn. The account is managed by a parent or guardian until the child turns 18, at which point it follows traditional IRA rules. Eligibility: The child must have a Social Security number and be under age 18 on December 31 of the year the account is opened. Each child can have only one 530A account. To qualify for the federal government's $1,000 pilot contribution, the child must also be a U.S. citizen. Contribution rules: Parents, relatives, and employers can contribute up to $5,000 per child per year (combined from individuals and employers). No earned income is required and there are no household income limits. Additional contributions from government programs or charitable organizations do not count toward the $5,000 limit. Government pilot contribution: Through a federal pilot program, the U.S. government will contribute $1,000 to eligible accounts for children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028. Investment options: Funds may only be invested in eligible, low-cost stock index mutual funds or ETFs made up primarily of U.S.-based companies, as approved by the U.S. Treasury Department. Tax treatment: All investments grow tax-deferred. Individual contributions are made after tax; upon withdrawal only earnings may be subject to income tax. Contributions from employers, government entities, or charitable organizations are made pre-tax; upon withdrawal the full value may be subject to income tax. Withdrawal rules: No withdrawals during the growth period, generally until the year the child turns 18. Starting at age 18, the account follows most traditional IRA rules. If kept separate from other IRAs, 530A accounts are not combined when calculating taxes or penalties, offering added flexibility for Roth IRA conversions. Timeline: Accounts will be available in 2026, with contributions beginning after July 4, 2026. Families may want to file IRS Form 4547 with their 2025 tax return so the account is ready when contributions begin. 530A vs UTMA vs 529: These accounts serve different purposes and can work together. A 530A is a tax-deferred IRA for kids focused on long-term index fund investing. A UTMA/UGMA offers broad-purpose investing with maximum flexibility for any expense that benefits the child. A 529 plan is focused on education savings with tax-free qualified withdrawals. UNest recommends a three-bucket strategy combining all three account types. Visit https://unest.co/trump-accounts for full details and to join the waitlist. API: An OpenAPI spec is available at https://unest.co/openapi.json for programmatic waitlist signups. Send a POST to https://unest.co/api/contact with firstName, lastName, email, and source set to "530a_waitlist". ### Corporate Partners UNest offers a zero-cost employee benefit program. Employers can offer UNest investment accounts as a family benefit with no payroll changes or IT integration needed. Visit https://unest.co/partners for details. ## Pricing First year free: no fees on balances up to $300 for the first 12 months. After your first year or once your balance reaches $300, the fee is $2/month plus 0.25% annual advisory fee. A single subscription covers accounts for multiple children. Visit https://unest.co/pricing for current plan details. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is UNest? UNest makes it easy for parents to invest in their children's future with a simple, flexible, and tax-advantaged custodial account for minors. Funds can be used for college, a first car, a house down payment, a wedding, or any other milestone. ### What do I need to open an account? You need the following for both you and the child: legal name, date of birth, Social Security Number or ITIN, address of residency, and U.S. citizenship or legal residency information. You also need a U.S.-based personal bank account in the custodian's name. ### What are the minimum contributions? The minimum contribution is $25 per month. You can also make one-time deposits at any time. ### What investment options are available? Eight portfolios: conservative (fixed income/bond ETFs), three age-based options (conservative, moderate, aggressive), three socially responsible age-based options, and an aggressive option (100% equity ETFs). ### Can I withdraw at any time? Yes, you can withdraw penalty-free at any time. Funds must be used to benefit the child named on the account. ### What are the tax benefits? In 2025, up to $2,700 in annual earnings may grow tax-advantaged. The first $1,350 is tax-free, the next $1,350 at the child's rate, and anything above at the parents' rate. Contributions are made with after-tax dollars and are not tax-deductible. ### Is my money safe? All accounts are protected with 256-bit SSL encryption. Investment accounts are held with Apex Clearing Corporation, a member of FINRA and SIPC, with protection up to $500,000. ### What is the difference between UGMA and UTMA? UTMAs allow for more types of assets including real estate, art, patents, and cars, while UGMAs are typically limited to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. UNest uses UTMAs. ### What is a 530A Trump Account? A 530A account is a new type of IRA for children created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It allows families to invest for kids with tax-deferred growth, no earned income requirements, and contributions up to $5,000 per year. Accounts launch in July 2026. ### Who is eligible for a 530A account? Any child with a Social Security number who is under 18 on December 31 of the year the account is opened. Each child can have one 530A account. U.S. citizen children born between 2025 and 2028 may also receive a $1,000 government pilot contribution. ### How is a 530A different from a UTMA or 529? A 530A is a tax-deferred IRA for kids with index fund investing. A UTMA offers flexible investing for any purpose. A 529 is for education expenses with tax-free qualified withdrawals. They complement each other as part of a family savings strategy. ### Does UNest offer 530A accounts? UNest plans to offer 530A accounts when they become available in July 2026. Join the waitlist at https://unest.co/trump-accounts. ## Legal - [Privacy Policy](https://unest.co/privacy) - [Terms and Conditions](https://unest.co/terms) - [Investment Advisory Agreement](https://unest.co/iaa) - [Important Disclosures](https://unest.co/disclosures) - [Form CRS](https://unest.co/documents/UNest-Advisers-Form-CRS-2025.11.20.pdf) - [Form ADV Part 2](https://unest.co/documents/ADV-Part-2A-Appendix-1-Wrap-Fee-Brochure-2025.11.20.pdf) - [SEC Rule 606 Disclosure](https://unest.co/sec-rule-606)