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Cost of Waiting Calculator — Trump Account

See how much your child loses by waiting to open a Trump Account. Compare starting at birth vs any age with side-by-side growth projections.

Every Year You Wait Costs Your Child Real Money

Compound interest rewards patience — but it punishes delay. The earlier you open a Trump Account, the more time the money has to grow. This calculator shows you exactly how much your child loses by waiting.

Compare starting at birth versus any other age. See the dollar difference side by side and understand why even a one-year delay matters when there are 18 years of tax-deferred compounding at stake.

Start at birth

18 years

of tax-deferred compounding

Start at age 5

13 years

5 years of growth permanently lost

⚠️ Time is the biggest factor

At an 8% average return, $$5,000/year contributed from birth grows to roughly $200,000 by age 18. Starting at age 5 instead? About $130,000. That 5-year delay costs your child approximately $70,000.

Adjust Your Scenario

5
115

See the cost of waiting 5 years to start contributing

$200
$0$417

$2,400/year (max $5,000)

8%
4%12%

S&P 500 historical average: ~10% (7% inflation-adjusted)

Start at Birth

$101,067

18 years of growth

Start at Age 5

$58,435

13 years of growth

Cost of Waiting

$42,632

Money your child loses

Percentage Lost

42.2%

5 years of delay

Side-by-Side Growth Comparison

Start at Birth Start at Age 5
View Year-by-Year Comparison
AgeStart at BirthStart at 5Difference
1$3,672$1,000-$2,672
2$6,558$1,000-$5,558
3$9,674$1,000-$8,674
4$13,040$1,000-$12,040
5$16,676$0-$16,676
6$20,602$3,672-$16,930
7$24,842$6,558-$18,284
8$29,421$9,674-$19,747
9$34,367$13,040-$21,327
10$39,708$16,676-$23,032
11$45,477$20,602-$24,875
12$51,707$24,842-$26,865
13$58,435$29,421-$29,014
14$65,702$34,367-$31,335
15$73,550$39,708-$33,842
16$82,026$45,477-$36,549
17$91,181$51,707-$39,474
18$101,067$58,435-$42,632

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does waiting one year cost?
It depends on contributions and returns. At an 8% average return, waiting one year on just the $1,000 federal deposit costs roughly $80 in lost growth. With $5,000/year contributions, the cost of a one-year delay grows to $500-$800+ by age 18.
Why does delay matter so much for Trump Accounts?
Compound interest accelerates over time. The earlier money is invested, the more years it has to compound. A dollar invested at birth has 18 years of growth. A dollar invested at age 5 has only 13 years. That missing 5 years of compounding can mean 30-40% less money at age 18.
Is it too late to open a Trump Account for my 10-year-old?
No. Any U.S. citizen child under 18 qualifies. While you have missed some compounding years, 8 years of tax-deferred growth in the S&P 500 is still valuable. Contributing $5,000/year for 8 years could still grow to $50,000+ by age 18.
Should I wait for the trumpaccounts.gov portal?
The portal is expected in mid-2026. If you can file IRS Form 4547 with your 2025 tax return (due April 15, 2026), do that instead. Every month of delay costs your child compounding time. Use the calculator above to see exactly how much.
Does the $1,000 deposit grow even if I add nothing else?
Yes. The $1,000 federal deposit is invested in S&P 500 index funds and grows on its own. At an 8% average return, it could grow to roughly $4,000 by age 18 with zero additional contributions. But the earlier the account is opened, the more time it has to compound.

Ready to stop waiting? See how to open a Trump Account in 15 minutes, or use the growth calculator to model your own scenario.

Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and illustrative purposes only. It does not constitute tax or financial advice. Actual returns will vary. Consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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