Partner Join Robinhood → Robinhood is the sole initial trustee for Trump Accounts. Sign up with our link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Last verified:

Trump Accounts for Kids Born Before 2025

✅ Direct answer

Yes — you can open a Trump Account for a child born before 2025. They do not get the $$1,000 federal pilot. They still get up to $$5,000/year in contributions, and kids born 2016–2024 may get Dell $$250 in qualifying ZIP codes. At age 18, the account becomes a traditional IRA.

Key Takeaways

  • A Trump Account for kids born before 2025 is allowed — any U.S. citizen under 18 qualifies.
  • Older kids do not get the $1,000 federal deposit (only 2025–2028 births).
  • They still get up to $5,000/year, employer contributions, and tax-deferred growth.
  • Kids born 2016–2024 may get $250 from the Dell pledge in qualifying ZIPs — claim guide.
  • Even a teenager benefits — the account becomes a head-start IRA at 18.

Most headlines about Trump Accounts focus on newborns and the $1,000 government deposit. Here is what many parents miss: Trump Accounts for kids born before 2025 work the same way — your 3-year-old, your 9-year-old, even your 16-year-old can open one.

If your child is a U.S. citizen with a valid SSN and is under 18, they are eligible. The only thing older kids miss is the $1,000 pilot deposit. Everything else — family contributions, employer match, tax-deferred growth, and the IRA conversion at 18 — is identical.

✅ Check your child in 30 seconds

Use our eligibility checker (birth year + citizenship + SSN) or the growth calculator to see projections for your child's age.

What Older Kids Get (and What They Miss)

Feature Newborns (2025–2028) Older Kids (born before 2025)
$1,000 federal deposit Yes No
Family contributions Up to $5,000/year Up to $5,000/year
Employer contribution (§128) Up to $2,500/year Up to $2,500/year
Tax-deferred growth Yes Yes
S&P 500 / broad U.S. index funds Yes Yes
IRA at 18 Yes Yes
Dell pledge ($250) N/A (pilot cohort) If born 2016–2024 + qualifying ZIP

Three Groups of “Older Kids”

“Older kids” is not one group. Birth year decides whether there is any free seed money — not whether the account can open.

Birth years Approx. age in 2026 Free seed? Still open account?
2025–2028 Newborn–toddler $1,000 federal pilot Yes
2016–2024 ~2–10 Possibly $250 Dell (ZIP rules) Yes
Before 2016 ~11–17 No free seed Yes — family/employer $ still counts

For Dell ZIP eligibility, see our Dell pledge guide and how to claim the $250. Confirm at investamerica.org/dell.

Growth Projections by Age

The younger the child, the more compounding time they have. Here is what $5,000/year (about $417/month) could grow to by age 18, assuming 8% average annual returns. These are illustrations, not guarantees.

Child's age now Years to grow Total contributed Projected at 18 (8%)
1 year old 17 years $85,000 ~$178,000
3 years old 15 years $75,000 ~$146,000
5 years old 13 years $65,000 ~$117,000
8 years old 10 years $50,000 ~$78,000
9 years old 9 years $45,000 ~$67,000
10 years old 8 years $40,000 ~$57,000
13 years old 5 years $25,000 ~$31,700
15 years old 3 years $15,000 ~$17,500
17 years old 1 year $5,000 ~$5,400

✅ Run your own numbers

Use our Trump Account calculator for your child's age, contribution level, and return assumptions.

Can I Open a Trump Account for My 9-Year-Old?

Yes. A 9-year-old is a classic “older kid” case: old enough that parents assume they missed out, young enough that nine years of compounding still matter.

  • Eligibility: U.S. citizen, valid SSN, under 18.
  • No $1,000 pilot if born before 2025.
  • Possible Dell $250 if born 2016–2024 and the ZIP qualifies.
  • At $5,000/year and 8% returns, roughly ~$67,000 by age 18 (illustration).

Guides by Age (8, 10, 12)

Searching for a specific age? These short answers match common “People Also Ask” queries and link back here for the full picture:

Why Open One for an Older Child?

1. Tax-deferred growth

In a regular brokerage account, dividends and capital gains can create taxes each year. In a Trump Account, growth is tax-deferred until withdrawal after 18. Over 5–10 years, that difference compounds.

2. Head-start IRA

At 18, the Trump Account becomes a traditional IRA. Most young adults do not start retirement saving until their mid-20s or 30s. Your child starts with an IRA that already has years of growth. Some families later consider a Roth conversion while the child is in a low tax bracket — see our Roth conversion strategy guide.

3. Employer contributions

If your employer offers Trump Account contributions under IRC §128, that is up to $2,500/year (counts toward the $5,000 family+employer cap) — regardless of your child's age.

4. Dell pledge for kids born 2016–2024

Children born 2016–2024 in ZIP codes with Median Family Income of $150,000 or less may qualify for $250 from the Dell pledge. That is separate from the federal pilot.

5. Financial literacy

Older kids can understand what is happening with their money. Showing a 9- or 10-year-old their index-fund returns teaches investing basics that stick.

Are Trump Accounts Worth It for Older Kids / Teenagers?

Even with only a few years of growth, the answer is usually yes — especially if you can contribute meaningfully or get an employer contribution.

  • The IRA conversion alone has value. At 18, your teenager has an IRA. Most 18-year-olds have nothing. Even $5,000–$15,000 at 18 can grow substantially by retirement if left invested.
  • Tax-deferred growth matters even short-term. A few years of index returns without annual capital gains taxes beats a taxable brokerage for the same holdings.
  • Employer money is free money. Up to $2,500/year for even 2–3 years adds up.

ℹ️ The $5,000 thought experiment

If your 17-year-old puts $5,000 in a Trump Account and never adds another dollar, at 8% average returns that $5,000 becomes roughly $105,000 by age 65. One contribution. Decades of compounding. Illustration only — markets vary.

How to Open a Trump Account for an Older Child

The process matches newborns — you simply skip the pilot election.

  1. Verify eligibility: U.S. citizen, valid SSN, under 18.
  2. File IRS Form 4547 with your tax return, through trumpaccounts.gov, or the official app.
  3. Do not elect the $1,000 pilot for a child born before 2025.
  4. Activate via the official Trump Accounts app when prompted (watch for emails from Treasury / official domains only).
  5. Contribute up to $5,000/year from family + employer sources combined.

Full walkthrough: how to open a Trump Account. For kids born before 2025, also see Trump Accounts for kids born before 2025.

Trump Account vs 529 for Older Kids

For school-age kids, parents often ask: Trump Account or 529? They solve different problems. A Trump Account is a retirement-style IRA path at 18 with flexible use after conversion. A 529 is for education with tax-free qualified withdrawals. Many families use both. See our Trump Account vs 529 comparison.

Bottom Line

Do not skip a Trump Account because your child is not a newborn. The $1,000 deposit is a nice bonus, but it is small next to years of $5,000 contributions. A Trump account for older kids still delivers tax-deferred growth and an IRA head start most adults never had.

Check eligibility Run growth calculator How to open

⚠️ Educational content — not advice

This is educational content, not tax or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional. Verify rules at IRS.gov and trumpaccounts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Trump accounts for kids born before 2025
Yes. Children born before 2025 can open a Trump Account if they are U.S. citizens under 18 with a valid SSN. They do not get the $1,000 federal pilot deposit. They can still receive up to $5,000/year from family and employer contributions, and kids born 2016–2024 may get $250 from the Dell pledge in qualifying ZIP codes.
Trump accounts for kids born before 2025 year of birth
Birth year only affects seed money — not the right to open an account. Born before 2025: no federal $1,000 pilot. Born 2016–2024: may qualify for Dell $250 in eligible ZIPs. Born 2025–2028: may get the federal pilot.
With the trump account do you get 250 per child born in 2016 to date
The $250 is from the Dell pledge (private philanthropy), not the federal pilot. Michael and Susan Dell pledged $250 per child born 2016–2024 in ZIP codes with Median Family Income of $150,000 or less. Confirm at investamerica.org/dell. See our Dell $250 claim guide.
Can I open a Trump account for my 9 year old?
Yes. A 9-year-old who is a U.S. citizen with a valid SSN can open a Trump Account. They get about 9 years of tax-deferred growth before the account converts to a traditional IRA at age 18. They do not get the $1,000 federal pilot deposit (that is only for children born 2025–2028). Many 9-year-olds born 2016–2024 may qualify for the $250 Dell pledge in eligible ZIP codes.
Can I open a Trump Account for an 8-year-old?
Yes. See our dedicated guide: Trump Account for an 8-year-old. About 10 years of growth remain. No $1,000 pilot if born before 2025; Dell $250 may apply for birth years 2016–2024.
Can I open a Trump Account for a 10-year-old?
Yes. See Trump Account for a 10-year-old. About 8 years of growth remain. Same eligibility rules as any child under 18.
Can I open a Trump Account for a 12-year-old?
Yes. See Trump Account for a 12-year-old. About 6 years of growth remain. Most 12-year-olds miss both the federal pilot and the Dell birth window, but family and employer contributions still apply.
Are Trump accounts worth it for older kids?
Usually yes. Older kids miss the $1,000 pilot deposit, but they still get family contributions up to $5,000/year, employer contributions up to $2,500/year, tax-deferred S&P 500 growth, and an IRA head start at 18. Even a teenager with a few years of contributions can build a meaningful nest egg that compounds for decades after 18.
Who qualifies for Trump account?
Any U.S. citizen child under 18 at the end of the election year, with a valid Social Security number. There are no income limits. Parents, guardians, grandparents, or siblings may open the account. Birth year only affects whether the child gets the $1,000 pilot deposit — not whether they can open an account.
Do older kids get the $1,000 Trump Account deposit?
No. The $1,000 federal pilot deposit is only for U.S. citizen children born January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2028. Older kids can still open accounts and receive family and employer contributions. Some children born 2016–2024 may get $250 from the Dell pledge instead.
What is the oldest a child can be to open a Trump Account?
The child must be under 18 at the end of the election year. A 17-year-old can still open one, but they will only have about one year of growth before the account converts to a traditional IRA at 18.
Can older kids get the Dell $250 for a Trump Account?
Possibly. Michael and Susan Dell pledged $250 per child born 2016–2024 in ZIP codes with Median Family Income of $150,000 or less. Confirm eligibility at investamerica.org/dell. This is private philanthropy, separate from the federal $1,000 pilot.
How do I open a Trump Account for a child born before 2025?
Same process as for newborns — file IRS Form 4547 with your tax return, use trumpaccounts.gov, or the official Trump Accounts app. Do not elect the $1,000 pilot deposit. Then activate the account and start contributing up to $5,000/year.

Related Guides

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.

4 min read

Trump Account for an 8-Year-Old: Can You Open One? (2026)

Yes — you can open a Trump Account for an 8-year-old. No $1,000 pilot if born before 2025. About 10 years to grow; Dell $250 may apply.

4 min read

Trump Account for a 10-Year-Old: Can You Open One? (2026)

Yes — a 10-year-old can open a Trump Account. No $1,000 pilot if born before 2025. About 8 years of growth left before the IRA at 18.

4 min read

Trump Account for a 12-Year-Old: Can You Open One? (2026)

Yes — a 12-year-old can open a Trump Account. Usually no free seed, but $5,000/yr contributions and an IRA head start at 18 still apply.

4 min read

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.

4 min read

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.

5 min read

Michael Dell Trump Accounts: The $6.25 Billion Pledge Explained

Michael and Susan Dell donation to Trump Accounts: $6.25 billion, $250 per child born 2016–2024 in ZIP codes with median family income of $150,000 or less.

6 min read

Dell $250 Trump Accounts Eligibility: How to Claim (2026)

Dell Trump Accounts eligibility: $250 per child born 2016–2024 in qualifying ZIP codes. No separate app — open a Trump Account and confirm your ZIP.

5 min read

Sources