Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent outlined the Trump Accounts initiative in a speech on January 28, 2026, calling it a defining policy for America’s 250th anniversary. The program aims to provide every American child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, with a $1,000 investment from the Treasury Department into an index fund. Families can claim this contribution by checking a box on Form 4547 during tax filing.
According to Bessent, “Trump Accounts are among the most significant policy innovations of modern times. They mark a singular moment in economic history by expanding the benefits of private ownership and compound growth to all Americans. Today, I will explain where Trump Accounts came from, how they work, and why they will render socialist notions moot by making every citizen a shareholder.”
The idea builds on earlier proposals like “Baby Bonds,” but expands beyond government bonds to allow direct investment across various sectors of the economy. The program is designed not only for newborns; any American under age 18 can receive a tax-advantaged Trump Account through contributions from family members, employers, philanthropists, or state governments.
Bessent stated that already about half a million families have elected to open accounts for their children within three days of the start of the tax filing season. He noted that if historical growth rates persist, an initial $1,000 deposit could grow significantly over time.
Starting July 4th—America’s semiquincentennial—family members and employers will be able to contribute up to $5,000 per year to each account. Several major companies have announced plans to match employee contributions in various forms. These include 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 Ltd., 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.
Philanthropic donations are also being encouraged as part of what Bessent described as “the most capital-efficient form of philanthropy ever devised.” Michael and Susan Dell have pledged $6.25 billion toward funding accounts for 25 million children under age ten. Ray and Barbara Dalio committed $75 million for more than 300,000 children in Connecticut as part of Treasury’s “50 State Challenge” initiative.
States are expected to participate as well by working with federal officials on ways to expand access and experiment with different funding models.
Bessent argued that Trump Accounts represent an effort to democratize private ownership: “Trump Accounts do exactly that. They collapse the distinction between earners and owners by making everyone an owner—all while keeping ownership private.”
He also highlighted the program’s potential impact on financial literacy among young Americans: “Trump Accounts will achieve this goal by providing students with a hands-on education in the power of compound growth… Keeping accounts locked until age 18 will require Americans to learn the art of long-term savings and compound growth.”
In closing remarks referencing America’s founding ideals around property rights and prosperity through ownership society principles dating back to John Locke and Thomas Jefferson’s writings in the Declaration of Independence—Bessent said: “By expanding equity ownership to all citizens President Trump is restoring the promise of our Founding revitalizing the social contract and helping secure American prosperity for the next 250 years.”
