Trump Accounts Website Goes Live as Ray Dalio Pledges Contribution
A website for the Trump Accounts program officially went live on Wednesday, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also named billionaire Ray Dalio as a partner of the program.
Launching July 5, 2026, the program allows the Department of Treasury to contribute $1,000 into accounts for babies born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028 in the U.S. Trump Accounts, which would be private property of the child’s guardian, would track a stock index and allow for additional private contributions of up to $5,000 per year.
The bonus could potentially grow savings to over $600,000 by retirement age, Bessent claimed. For families who invest the maximum $5,000 each year, that number could increase to $1 million assuming current growth rates.
The program is a part of President Donald Trump’s Invest America package and was first introduced in his “One Big Beautifull Bill” legislation.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Bessent announced a new program partner in Ray Dalio, founder of global hedge fund Bridgewater Associates. In a separate announcement, Dalio Philanthropies said it would donate an additional $250 per child for approximately 300,000 children in the state of Connecticut. Children who are under 10 years old and live in a Connecticut zip code where the median income is less than $150,000 would be eligible to receive the donation.
“By providing children with savings accounts that compound over time, we are providing them with early insights into financial literacy and a path towards financial independence,” wrote Dalio in a statement.
The partnership has triggered what Bessent called a “50 state challenge,” where philanthropists from each U.S. state are encouraged to participate in the Trump Accounts program.
However, additional contributions from philanthropists, charities, family members, friends, or other parties cannot be made until July 4, 2026, and cannot exceed $5,000 per year.
Earlier this month, the Dell Foundation made headlines for its $6.25 billion pledge to 25 million children under 10 years old throughout the U.S. These children would live in ZIP codes with a median household income of $150,000 or less and would not receive contributions from the Treasury department as part of the “Trump Accounts” program. Children over the age of 10 could also qualify if “leftover funds” remain from the donation.
Amanda Umpierrez is the Managing Editor of 401(k) Specialist magazine. She is a financial services reporter with nearly a decade of experience and a passion for telling stories and reporting news. She is originally from Queens, New York, but now resides in Denver, Colorado.