Trump Account Age Cutoff & Eligibility
Children must be under 18 at the end of the election year. A 17-year-old can still open one but will have limited growth time.
Key Takeaways
- Children must be under 18 on December 31 of the election year.
- A 17-year-old can open one, but has limited time before IRA conversion.
- Children turning 18 during the year are still eligible if they are 17 on December 31.
- Newborns get the most benefit — a full 18 years of compounding.
- There is no minimum age. A baby qualifies as soon as they have an SSN.
The Rule: Under 18 at Year-End
The age cutoff for Trump Accounts is straightforward. Your child must be under 18 years old at the end of the election year. The election year is the tax year for which you file IRS Form 4547.
"End of the election year" means December 31. So if your child is 17 on December 31, 2025, they qualify for the 2025 election. If they turn 18 at any point during 2025 — even on December 30 — they are 18 on December 31 and do not qualify.
📜 From IRS Notice 2025-68
"An eligible child is any individual who is a citizen of the United States who has not attained 18 years of age as of the close of the taxable year and who has a valid Social Security number."
In plain English: on the last day of the year, your child must still be 17 or younger.
Age vs. Growth Time
While any child under 18 can open a Trump Account, the younger the child, the more time compounding has to work. Here is a quick comparison of how age affects potential growth:
| Age at Opening | Years of Growth | $200/mo at 8% Return | $400/mo at 8% Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 18 years | ~$96,000 | ~$192,000 |
| 5 years old | 13 years | ~$58,000 | ~$116,000 |
| 10 years old | 8 years | ~$28,000 | ~$56,000 |
| 14 years old | 4 years | ~$12,000 | ~$24,000 |
| 16 years old | 2 years | ~$5,500 | ~$11,000 |
| 17 years old | ~1 year | ~$2,600 | ~$5,200 |
Figures are approximate and assume an 8% average annual return. Actual returns will vary. This is not a guarantee of future results.
Older Children (16-17): Is It Worth It?
If your child is 16 or 17, you might wonder if it is worth the effort. The growth period is short — just one or two years. But there are still reasons to consider it:
- It converts to an IRA at 18. Even a small amount in an IRA at 18 is a head start on retirement savings. Most people do not start an IRA until their mid-20s or later.
- Tax-deferred growth continues. Once the account becomes an IRA, it keeps growing tax-deferred. Two years of contributions could compound for decades in the IRA.
- Maxing out contributions helps. If you contribute the full $5,000 per year for two years, your teen starts adult life with $10,000 plus growth in a tax-advantaged account.
✅ Think long-term
A Trump Account is not just about the growth phase. It is also about giving your child an IRA at 18. Even a small IRA at that age has decades to compound. Starting at 18 instead of 30 can mean hundreds of thousands more at retirement.
Newborns Get the Most Benefit
The math is clear: newborns have the most to gain. With a full 18 years of compounding, even modest monthly contributions can grow substantially.
A newborn born in the 2025–2028 window also receives the $1,000 federal pilot deposit. Combined with family contributions, this can build a significant nest egg by age 18.
If you just had a baby, the best time to file IRS Form 4547 is as soon as you have your child's Social Security number. Every month of delay is a month of lost compounding.
Children Turning 18: A Common Confusion
This trips people up. Here is how it works:
- Child turns 18 on June 15, 2026: They are 18 on December 31, 2026. They are not eligible for a 2026 election. They would have needed to be elected in 2025 or earlier.
- Child turns 17 on June 15, 2026: They are 17 on December 31, 2026. They are eligible for a 2026 election.
- Child turns 18 on January 1, 2027: They are 17 on December 31, 2026. They are eligible for a 2026 election.
The key date is always December 31 of the election year. If your child is 17 on that date, they qualify.
⚠️ Don't miss the window
If your child is 16 or 17, act now. Once they turn 18, the window closes permanently. File IRS Form 4547 while they are still eligible.
Next Steps
No matter your child's age, if they are under 18 and meet the other requirements, they can open a Trump Account. The sooner you start, the more time compounding has to work.
- Check eligibility with our eligibility checker.
- Read Trump Accounts for Already-Born Children if your child was born before 2025.
- File IRS Form 4547 with your tax return to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a 17-year-old open a Trump Account?
My child turns 18 in March. Can they still open one this year?
Is there a minimum age?
Does a 17-year-old get the $1,000 deposit?
Related Articles
Trump Accounts for Kids Born Before 2025: What You Still Get
Trump accounts for kids born before 2025: they can still open one. No $1,000 deposit, but family contributions, employer match, and Dell pledge apply.
Trump Accounts for Kids Eligibility: Who Qualifies? (2026)
Trump accounts for kids eligibility: U.S. citizen, SSN, under 18. No income limits. Full guide to who qualifies and who gets the $1,000 deposit.
Trump Baby Accounts: Do All Babies Qualify?
Trump baby accounts: all U.S. citizen babies with an SSN qualify. The $1,000 deposit is only for 2025-2028 births. Parents must opt in.
Disclaimer: This is educational content, not tax or financial advice. Consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Sources:
- IRS Notice 2025-68
- trumpaccounts.gov
- One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), IRC Section 530A