Treasury to auto-enroll 60 million children in Trump Accounts

The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have issued temporary regulations to transition the Trump Accounts program from an opt-in system to an automatic enrollment model. This shift is expected to significantly increase participation, with officials estimating that more than 60 million additional children could be enrolled by 2026. The program, which launched on July 4, provides tax-deferred investment accounts for minors.

Under the new rules, the Treasury will establish accounts for eligible children who do not already have one, using a master group trust structure to protect taxpayer information. While enrollment will be automatic, the program’s $1,000 federal contribution for children born between 2025 and 2028 still requires a separate election by parents or guardians.

Previously, low participation rates—particularly among low-income families—were attributed to the requirement of filing IRS Form 4547 or using a specific website. The move to auto-enrollment aims to broaden access and ensure that large-scale donations, such as a $6.25 billion pledge from Michael Dell, reach a wider range of households. The regulations estimate that approximately 73 million children across 44 million families are eligible for the program.