Trump Accounts start accepting real money on July 4. If you’ve got a kid under 18, this is worth five minutes of your time — because there’s free money on the table, and the deadline for some of it doesn’t wait around.
Here’s what to check before the launch, and what to do if you haven’t signed up yet.
1. Check whether you already have one
If you elected a Trump Account for your child on your 2025 tax return using IRS Form 4547, or signed up directly at TrumpAccounts.gov, you’re already in line.
Watch your inbox — Treasury’s been sending activation emails in batches ahead of the launch.
2. If you haven’t signed up, do it now
More than 6 million kids are already enrolled, but that’s still a fraction of the roughly 73 million children under 18 in the U.S.
You can sign up anytime before your child turns 18 through the Trump Accounts app or at TrumpAccounts.gov. There’s no cost to open one.
3. Know the money math
Eligible kids born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, get a one-time $1,000 seed deposit from the Treasury. After that, family and friends can add up to $5,000 a year combined.
Employers can kick in up to $2,500 of that per worker, tax-free, if they offer it.
One thing before we keep going — the financial world is louder and dumber than ever. Hot takes everywhere. Almost none of it is worth your time. I’ve spent 35+ years cutting through the noise so you don’t have to. Sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter — 10 seconds, no spam, just the stuff that matters.
4. Some kids might qualify for a different bonus
Kids 10 and under may be eligible for a separate $250 deposit funded by Michael and Susan Dell’s foundation, if they live in a lower-income ZIP code.
That money follows after the account’s set up — it’s not automatic on day one.
5. Remember this money’s locked up for a while
Funds generally can’t be touched until your kid turns 18, at which point the account converts into a traditional IRA.
Withdrawals before then can only be done as a rollover to another Trump Account with a different brokerage or as a distribution upon death. This isn’t a rainy-day account. It’s retirement savings that starts at birth.
6. Don’t treat it as your whole plan
Trump Accounts only invest in low-cost index funds, and they’re built for retirement, not college or a first car.
If you’re saving for education, a 529 college savings plan still makes more sense. If you want flexibility, a custodial account fills that gap. Think of this as one tool, not the toolbox.
7. Watch out for scams
Treasury says it’s only reaching families by email right now — never by phone or text.
If you get a call or text about “activating” your child’s account, it’s not them. Stick to the official app or TrumpAccounts.gov, and don’t hand over personal information to anyone claiming otherwise.
One more thing worth knowing: the IRS has confirmed contributions to these accounts won’t trigger annual gift tax paperwork, even though they count against your regular gift-tax exclusion behind the scenes. That’s one less form to worry about, at least.
Days from now, the money starts moving. Whether you’ve already got a Trump Account or you’re just now finding out about it, the checklist is short. Check your status, understand the caps, and don’t let a scammer beat you to the punch.
Add a Comment