Trump Accounts policy aims to expand financial ownership among young Americans
On January 28, 2026, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent delivered remarks outlining the Trump Accounts program, a policy initiative launched under President Donald Trump. The program is positioned as a significant economic reform intended to expand private financial ownership and investment opportunities for all American children.
According to Secretary Bessent, “History will remember President Trump as the leader who brought financial market opportunity to all American families. It will remember him as the President who oversaw the largest merger in history between Main Street and Wall Street. And it will remember him for redefining the social contract through the creation of a shareholder society.” He attributed these achievements to the implementation of Trump Accounts.
The origin of Trump Accounts was inspired by earlier proposals like "Baby Bonds," which limited investments to government bonds. President Trump’s version broadens this approach by enabling newborn Americans to receive investment accounts with private ownership and multiple funding options. These accounts can be invested in index funds and other segments of the American economy.
Every child born in the United States between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, is eligible for a $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury Department into a Trump Account invested in an index fund. To claim this benefit, most families need only check a box on tax Form 4547. Secretary Bessent noted that within three days of the start of the 2026 tax filing season, about 500,000 families had elected to open such accounts for their children.
Bessent explained that “the compound growth from Treasury’s initial seed funding alone stands to make young Americans wealthy,” estimating that $1,000 invested at birth could grow substantially by retirement age if historical growth rates persist.
Beyond newborns eligible for Treasury contributions, any American under age 18 can have a Trump Account funded through other sources: donations from family members or employers; philanthropic gifts; or state government contributions. The annual contribution limit from family members and employers is set at $5,000 per account starting July 4, America’s semiquincentennial anniversary.
Several companies—including Charles Schwab, Uber, Charter Communications, Bank of New York Mellon, State Street, Mastercard, Visa, Block (formerly Square), Robinhood Markets Inc., SoFi Technologies Inc., Chime Financial Inc., Russell Investments Group LLC., Dell Technologies Inc., Steak ‘n Shake Operations Inc., Broadcom Inc., Intel Corporation, IBM Corp., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., Coinbase Global Inc., and Comcast Corporation—have announced plans to match employee contributions to Trump Accounts as part of their benefits packages.
Philanthropic support has also been pledged. Michael and Susan Dell committed $6.25 billion toward funding accounts for up to 25 million children under age ten. Ray and Barbara Dalio pledged $75 million targeting over 300,000 children in Connecticut through participation in what Treasury calls “The 50 State Challenge.”
States are working with federal officials on how best to participate in expanding access and experimenting with funding methods suited for their populations.
Secretary Bessent emphasized that “Trump Accounts represent a fundamental redefinition of the social contract,” aiming for an economy where every citizen becomes a shareholder in national prosperity. He said this policy seeks not only wealth-building but also improvement in financial literacy among youth: “Trump Accounts will achieve this goal by providing students with a hands-on education in the power of compound growth.”
Accounts remain inaccessible until age eighteen; additional incentives may tie further contributions to completion of financial literacy courses or related educational achievements.
In his conclusion Secretary Bessent connected property ownership ideals from America’s founding documents with current efforts: “Property and the pursuit of happiness...are deeply intertwined—and for our Founding Fathers they were one and the same.” He called on philanthropists, families and employers alike: “So join us in growing economic opportunity...Join us by investing in Trump Accounts.”
