Almost every American child qualifies for an Invest America account. The basic rule is simple: any child under 18 with a Social Security Number is eligible. But the details around the $1,000 government seed are a little more specific, so let's walk through it.
If you're not sure where your child stands, take the 30-second quiz at investamericaquiz.com and find out right now.
The Basic Eligibility Rule
To open a Trump Account (officially called an Invest America Account), a child needs to meet two criteria:
- They must be under 18 years old
- They must have a valid Social Security Number
That's it. If your child has a SSN and is 17 or younger, they qualify for an account.
Who Gets the $1,000 Government Seed?
This is where more parents have questions. The free $1,000 from the government isn't for every child. It's specifically for children who were born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028.
If your child was born in that window, the government deposits $1,000 directly into their account. If your child was born before 2025, they can still open a Trump Account and benefit from the tax-advantaged growth. They just don't receive the $1,000 seed.
So whether your child was born in 2018 or 2027, there's still a reason to open an account. The seed is a bonus, not the whole point.
Does My Child Need to Be a U.S. Citizen?
The program is built around U.S. children, but citizenship isn't the explicit requirement. What matters is that your child has a valid Social Security Number. Most children born in the U.S. automatically receive one. If you're unsure whether your child qualifies based on their documentation, check with a tax professional.
Can Multiple Kids in the Same Family Qualify?
Yes. Every eligible child in a family gets their own separate account. If you have three kids who each meet the criteria, each one qualifies individually. The accounts don't share a cap or a limit. Learn more about how contributions work for each account.
What About Newborns?
Children born in 2025 or later qualify and are also in the window to receive the $1,000 seed. If you just had a baby, your child is eligible. You can open a Trump Account by filing IRS Form 4547 with your 2025 tax return, or through the online portal at trumpaccounts.gov when it opens in mid-2026.
Can I Sign Up for a Child Not Yet Born?
The short answer is no, not yet. An account requires a child with a valid Social Security Number, which isn't assigned until after birth. If you're expecting, you'll need to wait until your child is born and has their SSN before opening an account. The good news is the seed money window runs through 2028, so there's plenty of time.
The Age Cutoff: 17 for the Entire Year
One thing worth knowing: the program requires that a child be 17 or younger for the entire calendar year the account is opened. So if your child turns 18 at any point during that year, they wouldn't qualify to open a new account in that same year. Plan accordingly if you have a teenager close to 18.
Find out exactly what your child qualifies for at investamericaquiz.com.
Still have questions? We've rounded up everything 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.
