Michael Dell pledges $250 to 25 million children in Trump Account push

Michael Dell and his wife Susan are giving $250 each to 25 million children who enroll in Trump Accounts, the largest private contribution to the government's new savings program.

The Dells' pledge, announced on America's 250th birthday, injects as much as $6.25 billion into Trump Accounts — a tax-advantaged investment program created under last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act that gives children a $1,000 government seed contribution.

"This makes every child a shareholder in the greatest prosperity-creating engine the world has ever known — American capitalism," Michael Dell, chairman and chief executive officer of Dell Technologies, said in an X post Saturday.

The $250 per-child contribution targets the first 25 million qualifying children under age 10 who were born before 2025 — those who do not qualify for the government's $1,000 baseline deposit. The program, known as 530A accounts, is available to every US citizen born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028. Parents can deposit up to $5,000 per year, with employer contributions capped at $2,500 annually. More than 6 million people have already signed up, according to a Treasury Department spokesperson.

President Donald Trump has projected the program will put $3 trillion to $4 trillion of wealth into the hands of young Americans over the next 15 years. "Decades from now, I believe that Trump Accounts will be remembered as one of the most transformative policy innovations of all time," Trump said during the program's announcement last year.

The Dells' commitment follows a $6 billion pledge Michael Dell made to the program in 2025 and brings the total private and corporate backing for Trump Accounts to more than $6.5 billion. Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Micron Technology have also committed to matching the government's $1,000 contribution for eligible children.

Micron announced a $250 million investment on June 30 that could support as many as 1 million children, including a one-time $250 seed deposit for children in communities where the chipmaker operates across seven states. "As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, this investment is about helping children build a strong foundation for future opportunity," Sanjay Mehrotra, Micron's chairman, president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.

Corporate momentum builds

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has described Trump Accounts as "a transformative policy initiative that will help unlock the American Dream for millions of children." The accounts are administered by Bank of New York Mellon in partnership with online brokerage Robinhood. Funds are invested in low-fee US index funds tracking benchmarks such as the S&P 500.

Unlike 529 college savings plans or traditional IRAs, contributions from parents and family members are not tax-deductible — the tax benefit accrues to the beneficiary upon withdrawal after age 18. Funds can be used for education, a first home purchase or starting a business. Withdrawals before age 59.5 for unqualified reasons incur a 10 percent penalty, similar to traditional IRA rules.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, called the Dells' gift "an extraordinary birthday gift to celebrate the greatest nation in the history of the world." The program's launch coincides with the July 4 rollout of a mobile app that provides portfolio overviews and eight financial literacy modules.

Dell Technologies shares closed at $394.32 on the New York Stock Exchange Friday, down 7.3 percent, though the stock has gained more than 60 percent over the past 12 months.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.