Treasury Expands Trump Accounts to 60 Million Children Amid New Rules
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has automatically enrolled over 60 million eligible children in Trump Accounts, a savings initiative aimed at providing financial resources for minors. Announced on October 1, 2026, this expansion requires parents or guardians to claim the accounts via an app to receive a $1,000 seed contribution.
Significant changes to the program's rules now allow donors, including 501(c)(3) organizations, to contribute individual publicly traded stocks to these accounts instead of cash. These stocks come with a mandatory five-year holding period, during which they cannot be sold. This rule aims to attract more donors by offering an alternative to cash contributions.
However, this change introduces potential risks. The inability to select or reject specific stock donations means families may face increased portfolio concentration risk. Treasury and IRS officials acknowledge this risk but argue that the new rule could increase overall funding by appealing to a broader range of donors.