Michael and Susan Dell pledge $6.25B to jump-start “Trump Accounts” for kids: who’s eligible, how it works, and when it starts

Michael and Susan Dell have committed $6.25 billion to seed investment accounts for U.S. children as part of the federal Invest America initiative—widely referred to as “Trump Accounts.” The pledge will place $250 into 25 million children’s accounts, complementing a planned $1,000 U.S. Treasury deposit for children born between Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2028. Accounts are slated to launch July 4, 2026 (the nation’s 250th birthday), with funds locked for long-term use and generally accessible at age 18 for education, job training, a first home, or starting a business.

What is a “Trump Account for kids”?

• Program name: Invest America (informally, “Trump Account”).

• What it is: A government-backed investment account intended to give every child a small ownership stake in the economy from an early age.

• How it invests: Default options are designed to track broad stock-market index funds.

• When you can use it: Typically at 18, for specified opportunity-building purposes (school/training, first home down payment, or launching a business).

• Why it exists: To promote long-term wealth building and financial inclusion beginning in childhood.

How the Michael & Susan Dell pledge fits in

• Scale: $6.25B total—$250 per child for 25 million kids.

• Who benefits: The focus is on children under 10, with priority toward lower-income communities that might otherwise miss out; final targeting rules will be set in program guidance.

• Goal: Expand participation, close early-life asset gaps, and encourage additional private gifts to widen coverage.

Key dates and the rollout timeline

• Now–Mid 2026: Program infrastructure and guidance finalized; outreach campaigns begin.

• July 4, 2026: Accounts go live; Treasury’s $1,000 seed begins for eligible newborns in the 2025–2028 window.

• After launch: Families enroll/verify details (process to be announced). Private contributions like the Dells’ $250 deposits flow to eligible accounts as inventories/funding allow.

Note: Some operational specifics—sign-up mechanics, documentation, and state coordination—are still being finalized. Expect phased rollouts and heavy reliance on digital identity verification to reduce paperwork.

Quick answers for parents and guardians

Who is automatically eligible for $1,000?
Children born 2025–2028 are slated to receive a Treasury seed deposit of $1,000 once the system opens in 2026.

What about kids already older than newborns?
That’s where the Michael and Susan Dell commitment helps: up to 25 million children under 10—with emphasis on lower-income ZIP codes—are in line for $250 deposits to jump-start their balances.

Can family members add money?
The program is designed to accept voluntary contributions (from parents, employers, philanthropies). Expect annual contribution caps and standard gifting/tax rules; details to be clarified in guidance.

What can the money be used for at 18?
Eligible uses include education or training, a first-home purchase, or starting a business. Using funds outside permitted categories may trigger penalties—families should watch for the final rulebook.

Does this replace Social Security or 529s?
No. The accounts are intended to supplement, not replace, existing programs. They are not 529 college plans, though the end use overlaps for education.

Why this is a big deal for wealth-building

Even modest sums can compound meaningfully over time. For illustration only: a $1,250 combined seed (Treasury + Dell gift) invested at a 7% average annual return from birth to age 18 could grow to roughly $4,200–$4,500 before additional contributions—more if families, employers, or local partners add along the way. The real power is universal participation: getting millions of kids onto the “asset escalator” early.

Guardrails, critiques, and what to watch

• Targeting & equity: Watch how eligibility is verified for older children and how lower-income areas are prioritized to narrow asset gaps.

• Use-of-funds integrity: Expect restricted uses and possible withdrawal penalties to keep the focus on opportunity-building outcomes.

• Administrative simplicity: The difference between a celebrated idea and a usable benefit is friction; streamlined sign-ups and automatic enrollment for newborns will be critical.

• Macroeconomic impact: Large-scale childhood accounts could expand future homeownership and small-business formation, but they do not address immediate child poverty; policymakers may pursue parallel short-term supports.

How families can prepare now

1. Track announcements from federal and state agencies on enrollment steps and ID requirements.

2. Gather records (birth certificates, Social Security numbers) to speed verification when portals open.

3. Plan contributions—even $5–$20/month from family or community groups can materially boost the 18-year outcome.

4. Teach the basics: Use the account as a live tool to explain saving, investing, and compound growth to kids.

The Michael and Susan Dell commitment adds extraordinary momentum to a national experiment in universal child investing. If the rollout is simple, the guardrails are clear, and additional partners step up, “Trump Accounts” for kids could become one of the most far-reaching efforts to give every child a small but real ownership stake in America’s economic future. The coming months will decide how many families can plug in easily—and how well this new on-ramp turns early dollars into durable opportunity.