If you’ve just had a baby, keep an eye on the envelope your child’s Social Security card arrives in. It now includes an extra sheet of paper.
On October 20, the Social Security Administration said it has started adding a Trump Account insert to cards issued to newborns. The notice tells parents their child may be eligible for a one-time $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury and explains how to claim it.
The insert goes out through Enumeration at Birth, the program that lets parents request an SSN at the hospital when they fill in the birth certificate details. SSA says about 99% of babies get their numbers this way, so nearly every new parent should see it.
What a Trump Account actually is
A Trump Account is a tax-advantaged savings and investment account set up for a child. It was created by the federal tax and spending law passed in 2025.
The idea is long-term growth. A parent, legal guardian or other authorized adult manages the account as custodian until the child turns 18. After that, it stays in place as a traditional retirement account in the child’s name.
Who gets the $1,000
According to SSA and Treasury, a child may qualify for the one-time $1,000 government contribution if they:
- were born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028
- are a U.S. citizen
- have a valid Social Security number
Each eligible child can have one account. The $1,000 isn’t cash sent to parents. It’s deposited into the child’s account as a starting investment.
Can family add money?
Yes, but nobody has to. Once the account is claimed, parents, relatives, friends and even employers can contribute. Contributions are generally capped at $5,000 a year, under the program’s rules.
SSA says close to 70 million Trump Accounts have been opened so far, and about 26 million have received contributions. That includes some unclaimed accounts that were funded by private donors.
How to claim your child’s account
The steps on the insert are simple:
- Download the Trump Accounts app, free on the Apple App Store and Google Play, or go to TrumpAccounts.gov.
- Sign up as the responsible adult for your child.
- Watch for Treasury messages about activating the account and receiving the $1,000.
Commissioner Frank Bisignano said the insert gives families “the tools to get started right away.”
A few things to keep in mind
- Use only the official channels. Go to TrumpAccounts.gov or the app through the official app stores. Don’t use links from texts or social media posts.
- No one should charge you to claim it. Signing up is free. Anyone asking for a fee or your bank PIN is running a scam.
- Older kids aren’t covered. Children born before 2025 don’t qualify for the $1,000 under the current rules.
- This has nothing to do with your own Social Security benefits. SSA is only delivering the notice. Treasury runs the accounts.
Sources: Social Security Administration press release (Oct. 20, 2026); Fox Business.
Jackson is a dedicated USA news writer, who covers important topics such as Social Security payment schedules, COLA increases, IRS tax refunds, stimulus payment announcements, Medicare eligibility, retirement benefits, and changes to state driving laws. His goal is to provide clear, informative, and easy-to-follow articles that help retirees, seniors, taxpayers, and American families stay informed.