Trump Accounts are now open, giving parents and guardians a new federal investment account to consider for children after the program's July 2026 launch.
The U.S. Treasury Department said families can sign up through TrumpAccounts.gov, where the official app links, eligibility details and program safeguards are posted. Treasury said parents can begin contributing immediately, and children can track investments in the app beginning Monday, July 6, 2026.
The first question is eligibility. The official Trump Accounts site says the accounts are tax-advantaged investment accounts for U.S. citizens under 18. It also says every American child born from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2028, is eligible for a one-time $1,000 Treasury contribution.
What parents should check
Start with the official site, not a search ad or social-media link. The program is new, the name is politically charged, and scammers often move quickly around government benefits. Families should confirm they are using TrumpAccounts.gov and the linked official app store pages before entering personal information.
Next, check the contribution rules. CBS News reported that people can put up to $5,000 per child into a Trump Account each year, excluding the $1,000 government contribution and charitable contributions. Employer contributions are capped at $2,500 annually and count toward that $5,000 limit.
Parents should also treat the account as an investment account, not as a savings account with a guaranteed balance. Treasury announced that, at launch, contributions will be invested by default in State Street's SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF, ticker SPYM, which tracks the S&P 500. Treasury said additional low-cost index funds have been selected, but allocation choices are expected later.
That default matters because stock funds can rise and fall. A long time horizon may help families ride out market swings, but money invested for a child is still exposed to market risk. Parents comparing Trump Accounts with 529 plans, custodial brokerage accounts or ordinary savings should focus on timing, taxes, fees, access rules and what the child may eventually use the money for.
Why the launch matters
The program's supporters frame it as a way to give more children an early stake in the market. Treasury said employers, charities and governments can make contributions, and more than 50 companies have committed to offer Trump Account contributions for children of employees.
The practical decision for families is narrower: verify whether a child qualifies, avoid unofficial enrollment pages, understand that the money is invested, and decide whether the account fits alongside existing savings plans. For a newborn eligible for the federal contribution, opening an account may be a straightforward step. For older children, parents may still find the account useful if family, employer or charitable contributions are available.
Because the program is brand new, families should expect instructions to evolve. Treasury said it will announce when investment-election functionality becomes available. Until then, the clearest move is to read the official materials, keep records of contributions, and avoid rushing money into an account before understanding how it fits the household's larger plan.