Trump Account Eligibility: Who Qualifies?

No. Parents must opt in by filing IRS Form 4547. It is not automatic. All U.S. citizen children under 18 with a valid SSN qualify, but the $1,000 pilot deposit is only for children born January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028.

Yes. The child must be a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number. Permanent residents (green card holders) and undocumented families do not qualify.

Children born before 2025 can still open a Trump Account (if under 18), but they will not receive the $1,000 federal pilot deposit. They can still receive family and employer contributions of up to $5,000/year.

Yes. Adopted children who are U.S. citizens with a valid SSN qualify on the same terms as biological children. The key requirements are citizenship, SSN, and age — not biological relationship.

No. Every qualifying child receives the same $1,000 pilot deposit regardless of family income. There are no income-based tiers. However, the Dell Foundation pledge targets children in ZIP codes with median income below $150,000 for an additional $250.

No. There are no income restrictions for Trump Accounts. Unlike Roth IRAs, there is no income phaseout. Families at any income level can open an account and contribute.

The child must be a U.S. citizen with a valid Social Security number (not an ITIN). If the child is a U.S. citizen but the parent is undocumented, the parent may still be able to file Form 4547 if they have a valid taxpayer identification number.

Per IRS Notice 2025-68, funds can be distributed upon the death of the account beneficiary. The distribution would go to the estate or designated beneficiary per the account terms.

Yes. Birth location does not matter. If the child is a U.S. citizen with a valid SSN, they qualify — whether born in Paris, Tokyo, or a U.S. military base overseas. Children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents often acquire citizenship at birth. You will need a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and an SSN. See our full guide on children born abroad.

The account can remain open. The child must be a U.S. citizen — living abroad does not disqualify them. However, contributions and withdrawals may be subject to the tax laws of the country of residence.

The IRS Form 4547 must be filed by an "authorized individual" — generally a parent or legal guardian. Grandparents can contribute to an existing Trump Account, but cannot open one unless they are the legal guardian.

The child must be under 18 at the end of the calendar year in which the election is made. So a 17-year-old can still open one, but they won't have many years of growth before it converts to a traditional IRA at 18.

No. The child must have a valid Social Security number before the election is made. You'll need to wait until after birth and after receiving the SSN.