Trump Accounts now exist for roughly 70 million American children, but most families still haven’t claimed theirs. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, President Trump, Michael Dell and Susan Dell used an Oval Office event to urge parents to log in, claim their child’s account and collect the free money waiting for eligible kids: $1,000 from the U.S. Treasury for babies born from 2025 through 2028, and $250 from the Dells for many children age 10 and under.
“This money is your child’s future,” Trump said, according to Fox Business. Susan Dell made a direct appeal: “Parents and grandparents, please claim your child’s account.”
Key takeaways
- The Treasury automatically opened a Trump Account for every eligible child under 18 with a valid Social Security number, but a parent must claim it before any money can arrive.
- Babies born Jan. 1, 2025 through Dec. 31, 2028 who are U.S. citizens can get a one-time $1,000 government deposit.
- Michael and Susan Dell’s $6.25 billion gift adds $250 for up to 25 million kids age 10 and under in qualifying ZIP codes. Dell said the deposits would land by the end of this week.
- Families can add up to $5,000 a year. The money is invested in the U.S. stock market and is locked until the child turns 18.
📱 Short on time? See Trump Accounts explained in 60 seconds (Web Story)
What Happened at the White House This Week
The Oval Office event on Oct. 7 came one week after the Treasury Department said it had automatically enrolled more than 60 million additional children. Combined with about 10 million accounts that parents had already opened, the White House now puts the total at about 70 million Trump Accounts.
Michael Dell, the founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, said the couple had already funded about 10 million accounts and expected to reach 25 million by the end of the week. According to a White House official quoted by Fox Business, about 80% of Trump Accounts belong to families earning less than $200,000 a year.
Trump also said more than 70 companies, including Uber, Intel, Nvidia and Steak n’ Shake, have agreed to contribute to the accounts of their employees’ children. He predicted that kids who keep their accounts invested could end up “quite rich” by age 18 or 21.
What Is a Trump Account?
A Trump Account is a tax-advantaged investment account for children, created by the 2025 tax law that Republicans called the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Legally, each account is set up as a type of individual retirement account (IRA) in the child’s name.
- Who it’s for: U.S. children under 18 with a valid Social Security number.
- How it’s invested: in low-cost funds that track the U.S. stock market, so the balance can rise or fall with the market.
- When the money can be used: withdrawals aren’t allowed until the child turns 18.
- Who manages it: the parent or guardian who claims the account manages it until the child turns 18.
Who Gets Free Money? $1,000 vs. $250 Explained
Every eligible child has an account, but only some children qualify for the free deposits. Here’s how the money breaks down:
| Money source | Amount | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Treasury pilot deposit | $1,000 (one time) | U.S. citizen children born Jan. 1, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2028, with a Social Security number |
| Michael & Susan Dell gift | $250 (one time) | Children age 10 and under (generally born 2016–2024) living in a ZIP code with a median household income below $150,000, while funds last |
| Parents, family & friends | Up to $5,000 a year | Any child with a Trump Account (limit adjusts for inflation after 2027) |
| Parent’s employer | Up to $2,500 a year | Children of workers at participating companies; counts toward the $5,000 limit |
The $1,000 Treasury deposit and the Dells’ $250 don’t count toward the $5,000 yearly limit. A child generally gets one or the other, though: the $1,000 is for children born in 2025 or later, and the Dell gift is for older kids who were born too early for the federal deposit.
How to Claim Your Child’s Trump Account in 4 Steps
An account that hasn’t been claimed can’t receive the $1,000 or the $250. Here’s how to claim it:
- Go to the official site or app. Visit TrumpAccounts.gov or download the official Trump Accounts app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- Verify your identity. You sign in through the IRS with ID.me, so have a photo ID handy.
- Complete the election (IRS Form 4547). Enter your details and your child’s Social Security number. For a child born 2025–2028, tick the pilot contribution election box (line 7, Part III), or the $1,000 won’t be sent.
- Activate the account. After the election is processed, the Treasury emails instructions to finish setting up the account. If you already filed Form 4547 earlier this year, you don’t need to apply again: watch your inbox for that email.
⚠️ Scam warning: claiming a Trump Account is free. Only use TrumpAccounts.gov, the IRS website or the official app. Don’t give your child’s Social Security number to anyone who calls, texts or emails offering to “unlock” the money for a fee.
How Much Could a Trump Account Grow by Age 18?
Because the money is invested and can’t be touched for 18 years, small amounts can grow through compounding: the same idea behind Warren Buffett’s decades-long investing record. The table below is an illustration only, assuming a 7% average yearly return for a baby who gets the $1,000 deposit at birth:
| What the family adds | Total put in over 18 years | Estimated value at 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing (just the $1,000) | $1,000 | about $3,400 |
| $50 a month | $11,800 | about $23,800 |
| $100 a month | $22,600 | about $44,200 |
| $5,000 a year (the maximum) | $91,000 | about $173,400 |
Market swings matter here. If stocks drop just before a child turns 18, the balance drops too. Many Americans are already nervous about record highs: see our report on stock market correction fears.
Why the Dells Are Giving $6.25 Billion
The Dells first pledged the money at a White House event in December 2025. Their gift uses the Trump Accounts system to put $250 into the accounts of up to 25 million children who were too old for the $1,000 federal deposit.
Michael Dell has argued that many American households don’t own any stocks, and that an account of their own gives kids “an early chance to learn how financial markets and compound growth work.”
“We believe in you, and we want you to dream big.”
Susan Dell, speaking to children at the Oval Office event on Oct. 7Some outlets reported the Dells’ total as $6.5 billion. The figure in their original pledge, and in most reports, is $6.25 billion, which works out to $250 for 25 million children.
What Parents Should Weigh Before Adding Money
- Claim it either way. If your child qualifies for the $1,000 or $250, claiming costs nothing and you don’t have to add your own money.
- The money is locked. Unlike a regular savings account, you can’t withdraw it for emergencies before age 18.
- Compare with a 529 plan. If you’re saving mainly for college, a 529 plan may offer state tax breaks a Trump Account doesn’t.
- Ask your employer. If your company is one of the 70+ participants, it may add up to $2,500 a year for your child.
Trump Accounts FAQ
Does my child already have a Trump Account?
Very likely. The Treasury says it automatically set up an account for every eligible child under 18 with a valid Social Security number. You still have to claim it to manage it or receive any deposits.
Is there a deadline to claim the $1,000?
No official deadline has been announced, but the pilot program only covers babies born from 2025 through 2028, and the Dells’ $250 is paid while funds last. Claiming early is the safest choice.
Can my child get both the $1,000 and the $250?
Generally no. The $1,000 goes to children born in 2025 or later, while the Dell gift is aimed at children 10 and under who were born before 2025.
How do I check whether my ZIP code qualifies for the Dell $250?
Use the Invest America ZIP code checker linked from TrumpAccounts.gov. Eligibility is based on whether your ZIP code’s median household income is below $150,000.
What happens when my child turns 18?
The account comes under the child’s control and generally follows IRA rules, which can include taxes and penalties on some withdrawals. Check the latest IRS guidance as your child gets closer to 18.
More money news for American families
Sources: U.S. Department of the Treasury and TrumpAccounts.gov; IRS Form 4547 instructions; Fox Business coverage of the Oct. 7, 2026 Oval Office event. This article is for general information and isn’t financial or tax advice.
