The U.S. Department of the Treasury began depositing a one-time $1,000 into the investment accounts of eligible American children on Saturday, July 4, as the program branded Trump Accounts officially opened for contributions, according to Treasury’s launch announcement and confirmation from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Starting July 4, 2026, eligible children began receiving the $1,000 pilot program contribution from the Treasury, deposited directly into their Trump Account.
The email landing in parents’ inboxes over the weekend — subject line “Benjamin received $1,000 from the U.S. Department of the Treasury” — signals that the money families were promised is now moving. The Trump administration on Saturday launched the new investment accounts for millions of American children, pairing the one-time federal deposit for eligible babies with the opportunity for families and employers to contribute additional funds over time.
The accounts, created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that President Donald Trump signed on July 4, 2025, work like a retirement account for children. All U.S. children under 18 with a valid Social Security Number can have a Trump Account. The federal $1,000 seed contribution, however, is more limited. It is available to children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, who are U.S. citizens with a valid Social Security number.
Uptake has been heavy. More than 6 million Trump Accounts have been opened for children under 18, according to the Treasury Department. Of those, about 1.4 million qualify for the $1,000 federal pilot contribution. That leaves tens of millions of eligible children still unenrolled, and parents can still claim the money.
How to Get the $1,000 if You Haven’t Applied Yet
There is no cost to open an account, and families have plenty of time. Parents who have not yet enrolled can submit IRS Form 4547 any time before their child turns 18 to open the account and elect into the $1,000 pilot program.
IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano said the process was intentionally designed to be simple.
“Families with eligible children born between 2025 and 2028 just need to check the box on a form to stake their claim for the $1,000 contribution. It’s that simple.”
Form 4547 can be filed with a tax return or submitted directly through TrumpAccounts.gov. After enrollment, families should download the Trump Accounts app to activate and manage the account.
For parents who enrolled earlier, the activation email is the final step. Families should look for an email confirming that their election to open a child’s Trump Account has been processed and prompting them to complete activation. Once activation is complete, the $1,000 is invested and appears in the account.
Watch for Scams
The Treasury Department is warning families that scammers are targeting the program’s rollout.
Official activation emails come only from no-reply@TrumpAccounts.Treasury.gov, while legitimate follow-up communications arrive through the official app or from email addresses ending in @trumpaccount.com.
Treasury’s guidance is straightforward:
“If you receive a call or text about a Trump Account, do not respond, it is likely a scam.”
Where the Money Goes
Once deposited, the funds are invested automatically.
Treasury selected the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF (SPYM) as the default investment for all accounts. The fund tracks the S&P 500 Index and carries an expense ratio of just 0.02%.
The accounts are administered by Bank of New York Mellon and Robinhood, and the money generally remains invested until the child turns 18, when the account converts into a traditional IRA.
Families can contribute substantially more than the government’s initial deposit. Parents may contribute up to $2,500 per year in pretax income, while combined annual contributions from all sources are capped at $5,000, excluding contributions from governments and charitable organizations.
Free Money on Top of the Federal Seed
A growing list of employers has agreed to match the federal contribution for employees’ children.
Companies including Micron, SoFi, Charter Communications, BNY, BlackRock, Robinhood, Charles Schwab, Uber, JPMorgan, and Chipotle have announced plans to match the $1,000 federal deposit for eligible employees’ children. Parents should check with their employer to see whether a matching benefit is available.
Private philanthropy is also helping families whose children fall outside the federal eligibility window. A $6.25 billion pledge from billionaire technology entrepreneur Michael Dell and his wife, Susan Dell, will fund a $250 contribution for children age 10 and younger living in ZIP codes with a median family income of $150,000 or less.
For parents, the practical takeaway is straightforward: if the $1,000 has not yet appeared, file IRS Form 4547 through TrumpAccounts.gov, download the official app, and check whether an employer offers a matching contribution.
JBizNews Desk | Washington
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