Days after Michael and Susan Dell's more than $6 billion donation, Trump Accounts app goes live: What parents need to know

The US Department of the Treasury this week announced the launch of the Trump Accounts app on App Stores available across America. The Trump Accounts app will be the main interface for these accounts and is available on all major mobile app stores. “The Trump Administration is taking another step forward in expanding opportunity for American families. The Trump Accounts app delivers a simple, secure way for households to begin engaging with a program designed to build long-term financial strength from day one,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. “By putting easy access to Trump Accounts directly in the hands of parents and young Americans, we are helping to ensure that America’s youth are included in this new era of economic participation,” he added.The next phase of the Trump Accounts program will include account activation beginning for millions of American families ahead of the official launch on July 4, 2026. As of past week, parents and legal guardians who have already signed their children up for Trump Accounts by submitting IRS Form 4547 will reportedly begin receiving emails with instructions to complete the account setup process. Activation e-mails for these families will be sent out in phases between now and July 4, 2026. Contributions to the investment accounts, which were signed into law on July 4 2025 as part of President Donald Trump's massive spending bill, can be made beginning this year's American Independence Day. Already, children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, will receive $1,000 in seed money contributed by the federal government.Late last year, President Donald Trump joined top lawmakers and philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell at White House to celebrate what has been termed as an extraordinary milestone for Trump Accounts: A historic $6.25 billion charitable commitment from the Dells. This gift is said to be one of the largest direct investments ever made in American families. Trump accounts will function similar to retirement accounts. Children will not be able to withdraw from the accounts before they turn 18. Withdrawals will incur a penalty unless the funds are used for qualifying reasons, such as higher education expenses or the purchase of a first home.The accounts will be managed by the Treasury Department's "designated financial agent," according to the government, but parents will be able to transfer the accounts to their own brokerage, if they have one, "at a later date." And the money will be invested in stock market indexes like the S&P 500.Those who have signed up for Trump account should look for an email confirming that their election to open your child’s Trump Account was processed and prompting you to complete account activation. During this initial roll out period, activation emails will come only from no-reply@TrumpAccounts.Treasury.gov. Follow the instructions in the email to set up your child’s Trump Account to complete account activation steps through the Trump Accounts app (available in the Apple App Store and Google Play) or by visiting TrumpAccounts.gov. Beginning July 4, 2026, your child’s Trump Account will be able to accept contributions from parents, family members, employers, and other eligible contributors, subject to annual limits. Also starting July 4, 2026, eligible children will begin receiving the $1,000 pilot program contribution from the U.S. Department of the Treasury deposited directly to their Trump Account. What Parents who have not signed up need to doParents, guardians, and other authorized individuals can elect to open an account at any time by submitting IRS Form 4547, Trump Account Election(s), including enrollment in the pilot program. You can elect to open a Trump Account for an eligible child at any time during the year before the child turns 18. Visit TrumpAccounts.gov for the latest information about how to do so. There is no cost to open an account. Employers, charitable organizations, and governments can contribute free money to Trump Accounts, and your child can only receive those contributions if you open an account.