How to Open a Trump Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Go to the official Trump Account source

Open a Trump Account only at TrumpAccounts.gov or the official Trump Accounts app. These are the government's channels, and they are the safe place to sign up. Opening takes only a few minutes once you have your child's details ready.

The program went live on July 4, 2026, so no accounts or contributions existed before then. If you opted in while filing your 2025 taxes, an account may already be started for you. In that case, log in through the official site to check and finish setup.

Be careful, because scammers copy government pages to steal personal data. Never enter your child's Social Security number on a random third-party site. Type the official web address yourself instead of clicking links from ads, texts, or emails.

Step 2: Gather the documents you need to sign up

You need three things to open a Trump Account: the child's Social Security number, date of birth, and address. Have these ready before you start so the process moves quickly. With them on hand, signing up takes just a few minutes.

Any parent can open an account, no matter their own immigration status. The child is the account owner, so their details are what the form asks for. Double-check the Social Security number, since a typo can delay your application.

Keep this information private during and after setup. The official site is secure, but you should still avoid sharing these details anywhere else. To confirm your child qualifies, review who qualifies before you apply.

Step 3: Choose which bank or trustee holds the account

You pick an approved trustee to hold and invest the Trump Account. The Treasury uses Bank of New York Mellon (BNY) as its financial agent behind the scenes. Robinhood is the initial trustee available at launch.

More providers are approved so families have choices. Fidelity, Schwab, Vanguard, and Bank of America are among the approved trustees you can select. Pick the one that fits how you already manage money, then continue setup.

Whichever trustee you choose, the account still follows the same federal rules. The money goes into an S&P 500 index fund regardless of provider. Learn more about the rules that apply no matter which trustee you use.

Step 4: Fund the Trump Account after you open it

You fund the account with family contributions once it is open. Starting July 4, 2026, families who did not opt in at tax time can open and fund at TrumpAccounts.gov. Contributions go straight into the S&P 500 index fund.

There is a yearly limit on how much you can add. The cap is $5,000 per year combined, and an employer can add up to $2,500 within that same cap. The $1,000 government seed does not count against this limit.

You do not have to max it out to start. Even small, steady contributions add up over years of market growth. Use our Trump Account calculator or investment calculator to see how funding choices grow over time.

Who can open a Trump Account

Almost any U.S. child under 18 with a Social Security number can have a Trump Account. Any parent can open one, regardless of their immigration status. This makes the account widely available to American families.

Opening an account is separate from getting the $1,000 seed. The government seed is only for U.S.-citizen kids born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028. Your child can still have an account and grow savings even without qualifying for the seed.

So two rules apply: one to open, and one to receive the seed. Understanding both prevents confusion at sign-up. If you have a baby, see our guide on Trump Accounts for newborns.

What happens after you open a Trump Account

After you open the account, the $1,000 seed is added by the government if your child qualifies. Your family contributions are invested in an S&P 500 / U.S.-equity index fund. This is the same fund for every account, chosen for broad market growth.

The account is built for the long term. Earnings grow tax-deferred, so you owe no yearly tax on the gains inside it. The money is locked until January 1 of the year the child turns 18.

That long runway is the point of the account. Years of contributions plus market growth can build a meaningful sum by adulthood. To weigh the trade-offs, read whether Trump Accounts are worth it for your family.

Frequently asked questions