Insights

Your Child or Grandchild May Already Have a Trump Account: Here’s What to Know

by Sequoia Financial Group

October 29, 2026

What if your child or grandchild already had an investment account waiting for them, even though no one in your family opened it?

On October 1, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it had completed automatic enrollment in Trump Accounts, establishing accounts for more than 60 million additional eligible children. That means your child or grandchild may already have an account, but there’s an important next step before your family can begin contributing. ¹

Understanding how these accounts work, how to claim them, and where they fit into your broader financial plan can help you turn an automatic enrollment into a long-term savings opportunity.

What Is a Trump Account?

A Trump Account is a tax-advantaged investment account designed to help children build savings for their financial futures.

Children under age 18 with valid Social Security numbers are eligible. Additionally, eligible U.S. citizen children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, may receive a one-time $1,000 federal contribution. ²

During childhood, Trump Accounts follow special investment, contribution, and withdrawal rules. Beginning in the calendar year the beneficiary turns 18, traditional IRA rules generally apply. ³

How Do You Claim Your Child’s Trump Account?

Automatic enrollment does not mean an account is ready for family contributions. A parent or authorized guardian must claim and activate the account before managing investments or allowing contributions. ¹

To claim an account:

Visit trumpaccounts.gov or download the official Trump Accounts app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Verify your identity and authority. You’ll need to confirm your relationship to the child and provide identifying information.
Review and activate the account. Follow the instructions to complete the claiming process and accept the account terms.
Request the federal contribution, if eligible. Families must separately elect the $1,000 government contribution using IRS Form 4547, even if the account was automatically established.²

Grandparents interested in contributing should coordinate with the child’s parent or authorized guardian to ensure the account has been claimed and activated.

Can Trump Accounts Support Long-Term Family Wealth Planning?

For families looking to give the next generation a financial head start, Trump Accounts offer an opportunity to introduce concepts of saving and investing early.

Beyond the initial contributions, these accounts can help families:

Build long-term savings: Give investments time to potentially grow through compounding.
Encourage financial literacy: Introduce children and grandchildren to saving, investing, and responsible financial decision-making.
Coordinate family contributions: Incorporate gifts from parents, grandparents, and other eligible contributors into a broader wealth transfer strategy.

Like any investment account, Trump Accounts carry risk, and growth is not guaranteed. Understanding their contribution limits, investment restrictions, and tax treatment
is essential. ³

Building Their Future, Together

At Sequoia Financial Group, our BUILT FOR YOU promise recognizes that every family’s financial circumstances, priorities, and vision for the next generation are different.

Whether you’re a parent hoping to establish lifelong savings habits or a grandparent looking to create a meaningful financial legacy, your Sequoia team can help you evaluate how Trump Accounts fit alongside education savings, gifting strategies, and your family’s broader financial plan.

Because helping the next generation build wealth isn’t always about what you give them today. It’s can be about preparing them to make the most of it tomorrow.

The views expressed represent the opinion of Sequoia Financial Group. The views are subject to change and are not intended as a forecast or guarantee of future results. This material is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice and is not intended as an endorsement of any specific investment. Stated information is derived from proprietary and nonproprietary sources that have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness. While Sequoia believes the information to be accurate and reliable, we do not claim or have responsibility for its completeness, accuracy, or reliability. Statements of future expectations, estimates, projections, and other forward-looking statements are based on available information and Sequoia’s view as of the time of these statements. Accordingly, such statements are inherently speculative as they are based on assumptions that may involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Investing in equity securities involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. While equities may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities, they generally have higher volatility. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Investment advisory services offered through Sequoia Financial Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Registration as an investment advisor does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for personalized investment advice or as a recommendation or solicitation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product. Diversification cannot assure profit or guarantee against loss. There is no guarantee that any investment will achieve its objectives, generate positive returns, or avoid losses. Sequoia Financial Advisors, LLC makes no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, reliability, or utility of information obtained from third parties. Certain assumptions may have been made by these sources in compiling such information, and changes to assumptions may have material impact on the information presented in these materials.

Investment advisory services offered by Sequoia Financial Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Registration as an investment advisor does not imply a certain level of skill or training.