Trump Accounts offer $1,000 seed investment for children born in 2025

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The U.S. Treasury is depositing $1,000 into investment accounts for every child born between Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31 2028, as part of a new federal program called Trump Accounts.

The accounts function like tax-deferred investment funds, similar to an IRA. Money is invested in low-cost U.S. stocks and remains locked until a child’s 18th birthday. President Donald Trump said the accounts are designed to give all American children a stake in the country’s future.

“Children that are born without money, without any money, great parents, they can have, everything can be great but they have no money, they can become very wealthy children at eighteen,” Trump said.

Who qualifies — and what donors are adding

The $1,000 seed deposit is funded by taxpayers through the US Department of the Treasury. Children born outside the 2025–2028 window will not receive the grant.

Eligible children under 10 living in areas where the median income is less than $150,000 may receive additional assistance through certain private donations. Michael and Susan Dell contributed more than $6 billion toward those accounts.

“To tens of millions of American children, your American story starts now,” Michael Dell said at the program’s announcement.

“These accounts are a statement of belief in our nation’s young people, and believing in our country’s children matters enormously,” Susan Dell said.

How the funds can be used

Once a child turns 18, funds can be accessed but only for approved expenses, including education and a first home purchase.

Families can choose to let the account grow on its own or deposit up to $5,000 per year.

Joy Wiltermuth, assistant managing editor of markets at MoneyWatch, said parents should weigh all of their options and monitor account growth.

“I think it is a very good start, but I’m thinking of it in terms of kind of a pilot program and a start, see where it goes,” Wiltermuth said.

Field Vice President for Georgia Financial Nicholas Mangino says parents should take the government up on their $1,000 offer, but to consider what investment type will be best for their child’s future.

“These accounts are amazing, or have a lot of benefits, if you want your kids to go to the traditional four year education program,” Mangio said. “But the problem becomes, hey, they don’t go to college.”

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent expressed support for the program’s long-term impact.

“This will be one of the president’s most enduring legacies and the great bounty of this will go for generations to come,” Bessent said.

Families can sign up at trumpaccounts.gov.