Trump Accounts for Adults: Can You Open One? (No — Here's Why)

"Can adults get a Trump Account?" is one of the most common questions we receive. The short answer is no. Trump Accounts are designed exclusively for children. But there are still ways adults can benefit from the program — and great alternatives if you want similar investment exposure for yourself.

Trump Accounts Are Only for Children Under 18

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) created Trump Accounts under IRC Section 530A. The law is clear: only U.S. citizen children with a valid SSN who are under age 18 at the end of the election year qualify.

There is no version of this program for adults. No exceptions. No workarounds.

Children born between 2025 and 2028 also receive a $1,000 federal deposit. Older children (born before 2025) can still open a Trump Account, but they do not receive the government deposit.

What Adults CAN Do With Trump Accounts

Even though you cannot open one for yourself, adults play a central role in the program:

• Open an account for your child. Parents or legal guardians file IRS Form 4547 to elect a Trump Account. See the step-by-step guide.
• Contribute up to $5,000/year. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone else can contribute. The $5,000 limit is per account, not per contributor.
• Benefit from employer contributions. Your employer can contribute up to $2,500/year tax-free under IRC §128. This counts toward the $5,000 cap. Learn how employer match works.
• Manage investments. The authorized individual (usually a parent) chooses which S&P 500 index fund to invest in during the growth phase.

Best Alternatives for Adults

If you want the same type of low-cost, S&P 500 index fund investing that Trump Accounts offer, here are your options:

The Roth IRA: Closest Adult Alternative

A Roth IRA is the closest thing to a Trump Account for adults. Here is why:

• Same investments. You can buy VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF), FXAIX (Fidelity 500 Index), or SWPPX (Schwab S&P 500 Index) — the exact same funds eligible in Trump Accounts.
• Better tax treatment. Roth IRA withdrawals are tax-free in retirement. Trump Account withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income (traditional IRA treatment).
• No age restriction. Anyone with earned income can contribute, regardless of age.

The main difference: Roth IRAs have income limits. In 2025, single filers earning above $150,000 (MAGI) and joint filers above $236,000 cannot contribute directly. Trump Accounts have no income restrictions.

If You Want S&P 500 Exposure Today

You do not need a Trump Account to invest in the S&P 500. Here is what to do:

1. Open a Roth IRA at Fidelity, Schwab, or Vanguard (free, no minimums).
2. Buy an S&P 500 index fund — VOO (0.03% expense ratio), FXAIX (0.015%), or SWPPX (0.02%).
3. Contribute regularly — up to $7,000/year ($8,000 if you are 50 or older).
4. Let it compound. The same market returns that make Trump Accounts powerful work for your Roth IRA too.

The Roth Conversion Strategy at 18

Here is a bonus for adults who open Trump Accounts for their children: at age 18, the Trump Account converts to a traditional IRA. Your child can then do a Roth conversion while in a low tax bracket (likely the 10% or 12% bracket as a college student). This means the money could eventually grow tax-free for decades.

That is a wealth-building strategy that adults help set in motion — even though they cannot hold the account themselves.

For more on who qualifies, see our full eligibility guide and who qualifies for a Trump Account.