when do you have to sign up for the trump account to get benefits

You can sign up any time before the child turns 18 , and for the $1,000 pilot contribution, the account generally needs to be opened for an eligible child born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028. The official rollout says parents or guardians can submit the election now, and contributions started on July 4, 2026.

What to know

• You do not have to wait for a special deadline to enroll; the government says you can elect to open a Trump Account at any time during the year before the child turns 18.

• If you want the Treasury’s $1,000 pilot deposit, the child must meet the eligibility rules, including the birth window and Social Security number requirement.

• Early sign-up matters because children only receive employer, charity, or government contributions if an account has already been opened.

Practical timing

• Now is the safe answer if you want to be ready for any benefit tied to the account.

• If you already filed, activation emails were being sent out in phases ahead of the July 4, 2026 launch.

• If you have not signed up yet, the official guidance says you can still open the account later, as long as the child is still under 18.

In plain English

The short version is: sign up as soon as you can if you want the account benefits, because the account has to exist before contributions can go in.