Treasury confirms plan to auto-enroll millions of children in Trump accounts

The Treasury Department will automatically enroll millions of children in Trump Accounts under new rules released Tuesday, eliminating the need for parents to sign up for the investment program.

The auto enrollment will create accounts for more than 60 million additional children under the age of 18, according to department guidance. The move is intended to provide more access to the child investment accounts and allow contributions, including Michael Dell’s $6.25 billion pledge, to reach more eligible households.

About 73 million children are eligible for the program, according to the Treasury, and roughly 7 million have signed up for Trump Accounts so far.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said at a House Financial Services Committee hearing earlier this month that the agency anticipates within a month the number of accounts could be as high as “70 million because we will go to auto-enroll.”

Trump Accounts were created under the One Big Beautiful Bill, which President Trump signed into law in July 2025, allowing families to invest for their children. Children born between 2025 and 2028, the duration of Trump’s second term in office, are also eligible for a $1,000 federal contribution into their accounts.

Once the child turns 18, the account will act as a traditional individual retirement account (IRA).

The payment will not be automatic. Parents or guardians will still have to request the $1,000 and claim their child’s account before they can make their own deposits or receive contributions from an employer.

The rules separately allow donors to contribute appreciated stock to Trump Accounts through charities. While the accounts are generally limited to diversified, low-cost index funds, the department said donated shares are permitted because they are contributed directly rather than purchased with money in the accounts.

The shares must be held for five years before they can be sold.

The news comes as Trump Accounts architect Luke Pettit is reportedly leaving the Treasury for a role in the private sector.