Trump Accounts, a new federal savings program offering eligible newborns a $1,000 seed contribution, officially launched on July 4, 2026, giving American families a fresh way to invest in their children’s financial futures from birth.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the full launch of the Trump Accounts app, enabling parents and children to access accounts, track investments in real time, and make contributions directly from their phones. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in the announcement that “Trump Accounts are now live, giving every child a stake in the American Dream from day one.”
To qualify for the $1,000 federal seed deposit, a child must be a U.S. citizen with a Social Security number and born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028. The accounts are fully held in the child’s name, with parents or guardians serving as custodians. There is no cost to open an account.
The $1,000 seed contribution is automatically invested in low-cost index funds, designed to track the broad U.S. stock market. At launch, all funds are invested in the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF, a diversified index fund that minimizes fees, according to Yahoo Finance. This structure ensures that children’s initial seed money benefits from long-term market growth without the risk of active trading.
The program has already drawn substantial enrollment before the full launch. According to the IRS, over 4 million children had been signed up for Trump Accounts by March 2026. By June 23, 2026, enrollment had surged to more than 6 million children, with about 1.4 million of those eligible for the $1,000 seed money from Treasury, according to CNBC and Yahoo Finance data.
Beyond the federal seed, Trump Accounts can receive contributions from parents, relatives, employers, and charitable organizations. Over 50 companies have already committed to offer employer contributions for children of their workers, the Treasury announced. Parents can contribute up to $5,000 per year once an account is opened, and funds remain invested in index funds until the child turns 18.
The Trump Accounts app includes 15 interactive financial education modules for parents and children, covering concepts like saving, investing, compound growth, and diversification. The program aims to broaden stock ownership among younger and lower-income families who historically have had limited exposure to the stock market, according to the Treasury’s announcement.
Comparable child savings programs have existed in other forms. Baby Bonds, a concept championed by Senator Cory Booker and others, proposed government-seeded accounts for children born into poverty. Trump Accounts differ by offering the $1,000 seed to all eligible newborns regardless of income, making it a universal program rather than means-tested.
Sources
- U.S. Department of the Treasury — Official press release announcing July 4, 2026 launch and app features
- IRS — Enrollment figures and pilot program contribution details
- CNBC — Report on 6 million children enrolled as of June 23, 2026
- Yahoo Finance — Investment mechanism details and enrollment data
- ABC News — Eligibility requirements and program overview
- Congress.gov — Policy details on investment restrictions and account rules
