“Trump Accounts” for kids: What Invest America is, who qualifies, and how sign-ups work

A new child-focused investing program branded as “Trump Accounts” is driving a surge of searches for “trump accounts for kids,” “invest america,” and “trump investment account,” as families try to figure out whether the offer is real, who qualifies, and what steps are needed to claim the benefit during the 2026 tax season. The program is designed to seed eligible children with a government-funded starter contribution and let families (and employers) add money over time in a tax-advantaged structure invested in broad market index funds.

The biggest source of confusion: there are multiple similarly named informational pages online, but the actual election to open an account is tied to the federal tax filing process.

What the “Trump Account” actually is

The program creates a tax-advantaged investment account for U.S. citizen children under 18. For eligible children born in a specific window, the government provides a one-time $1,000 contribution that is invested immediately in a qualifying index fund. After that, additional private contributions can be made, subject to annual limits, with the goal of compounding over time until the child reaches adulthood.

The account is structured to keep investing simple: contributions during the growth period must be invested in eligible funds designed to track broad U.S. stock indexes rather than individual stock-picking.

Who qualifies for the $1,000 seed contribution

Eligibility is centered on a birth-date window and basic citizenship requirements. The federal seed contribution applies to children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, provided the child is a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number.

For families searching “trump account for kids,” the practical takeaway is that eligibility is determined by the child’s information—not the parent’s income—though families still need to complete the election steps correctly to activate the account.

How to sign up in 2026

For the 2026 tax year, most families activate the account by making an election on a new IRS form associated with the filing process. The election is designed to be simple—more “check a box” than “open a brokerage account”—but families still need to ensure the child’s identifying information (especially Social Security number details) matches IRS records.

Once elected, the account is established and the $1,000 seed is invested in a qualifying index fund. Families who miss the election or file with incorrect information can face delays, so tax preparers are advising parents to confirm key details before submitting returns.

Contribution limits and what employers can do

Beyond the $1,000 seed, families and others can contribute additional money each year—up to $5,000 annually per child under current rules. A notable feature is that employer contributions may be permitted as part of an employer program, with up to $2,500 per year allowed under specific conditions and counting toward the overall annual limit.

That employer feature is one reason “invest america account” searches are trending: employers see it as a benefit-like contribution mechanism, while families see it as a way to build a meaningful balance by age 18.

When kids can use the money—and the main tradeoffs

The account is meant to grow until adulthood, with funds generally becoming accessible at age 18 for qualified purposes. Exact “qualified expense” definitions and the practical withdrawal experience are among the key details families are watching as additional regulations and guidance roll out.

The core tradeoffs look like this:

• Upside: early investing, broad-market exposure, and a government-funded seed for eligible kids

• Limitations: investment choices are restricted to eligible index-tracking funds during the growth period, and cashing out early or for non-qualified reasons can reduce the benefit

• Planning note: using a cash-price or third-party program is not relevant here—this is an investment account tied to tax filing, not a coupon or discount program

Key takeaways for parents searching “trump accounts for kids”

• Eligible children (born 2025–2028, U.S. citizens with valid SSNs) can receive a one-time $1,000 seed investment.

• The election to open the account is made through the federal tax filing process for the 2026 tax year.

• Annual private contributions are capped (currently $5,000 per child), with certain employer contributions allowed within that limit.

• The program is built around broad U.S. index-tracking funds, not individual stock selection.

Sources consulted: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, The White House, Money Magazine