Trump Accounts are the newest option in a crowded field of tax-advantaged savings vehicles for children. How they stack up against 529 plans and custodial Roth IRAs depends almost entirely on the child’s circumstances and the family’s goals. The Tax Structure Comparison The fundamental tax difference between these account types comes down to when taxes are paid: 529 Plans are tax-exempt: contributions come from after-tax dollars, earnings grow without annual taxation, and withdrawals for qualified education expenses are completely tax-free.

A new type of individual retirement account for minors is now law. The 2025 reconciliation act (P.L. 119-21) created what it calls Trump Accounts—traditional IRAs structured specifically for children under 18, with a distinct set of rules that govern the account until the beneficiary reaches adulthood. Accounts can be opened starting July 4, 2026. An authorized individual—a parent, legal guardian, grandparent, or adult sibling—may open one on behalf of a child.