The fastest way to check: take the 30-second quiz at investamericaquiz.com. It'll tell you exactly what your child qualifies for.
But if you want to understand the rules yourself before you click anything, here's how eligibility works.
Who Can Open a Trump Account
Any U.S. child under 18 with a valid Social Security Number can have a Trump Account. That's the baseline. There's no income limit for the family, no minimum age, no requirement that the child be a newborn. If your child is 3 years old, 8 years old, or 16 years old and has a Social Security Number, they're eligible to open one.
The account has to be opened by a parent, grandparent, guardian, or another authorized adult acting as custodian.
Who Gets the $1,000 Government Seed
This is where it gets more specific.
The free $1,000 from the government is only for children who are U.S. citizens born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028. That's it. If your child falls in that window, they're eligible for the seed contribution once the account is open.
Children born before 2025, including any child who is 1 or older today, can still open a Trump Account and contribute up to $5,000 per year. They just don't receive the $1,000 seed. To learn more about how contributions and growth work either way, see how much your child can receive.
The "17 or Younger for the Full Year" Rule
There's one nuance worth knowing. To open an account and receive the seed, the child must be 17 or younger for the entire calendar year the account is opened. So if your child turns 18 at any point during 2026, they can't open one in 2026.
Plan accordingly if you have a child who's close to 18.
What You Need to Check Eligibility
Basically three things:
- Does your child have a U.S. Social Security Number?
- Are they under 18 (and turning 18 after December 31 of the application year)?
- Were they born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028 (for the seed)?
If you're not sure, the quiz at investamericaquiz.com walks through all of it in about 30 seconds. It'll tell you whether your child qualifies and for how much.
What If Your Child Was Born Outside the Seed Window?
They can still open a Trump Account. The tax-deferred growth and the $5,000/year contribution limit still apply. The account still converts to a traditional IRA at 18. The only thing they miss is the government's $1,000 starting deposit.
For most families, that's still worth opening. 18 years of compounding on $5,000/year contributions is a significant head start regardless of the seed.
Read the full Trump Accounts explainer if you want the complete picture of how the program works before deciding.
What If You're Not Sure About Your Child's Social Security Number?
You'll need it to open the account. If your child doesn't have one yet, the Social Security Administration issues SSNs for newborns, often right at the hospital. Check with your pediatrician's office or the SSA directly if you're unsure.
Check your child's eligibility in 30 seconds at investamericaquiz.com.
Wondering about something specific? Here's every question people are asking about Trump Accounts.
This post is for educational purposes only and is not tax, legal, or investment advice. Grifin is not affiliated with the U.S. government or the Invest America program.
