Ray Dalio Pledges Support for Children’s “Trump Accounts” Savings Program

Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio and his wife, Barbara Dalio, have joined a growing roster of philanthropists funding “Trump accounts,” a recently established, tax-advantaged savings vehicle intended to help children build long-term wealth. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the couple’s commitment on Wednesday during a press conference in New York.

The Dalios’ grant will provide an initial $250 deposit for roughly 300,000 children who reside in Connecticut ZIP codes where the median household income is below $150,000. According to Bessent, the contribution forms part of what the Treasury calls a “50-state challenge,” an appeal to donors in every state to underwrite accounts for young residents in their own communities.

Trump accounts were authorized in July, when Congress passed President Donald Trump’s “big beautiful bill.” The legislation created a federally recognized savings framework that allows contributions to grow free of federal income tax, provided funds are used for approved purposes such as higher education costs, first-home purchases, or retirement. The effort seeks to narrow wealth gaps by ensuring that children—especially those in lower- and middle-income areas—begin adulthood with some capital already working on their behalf.

The Dalio funding follows a substantially larger pledge earlier this month from Dell Technologies founder and chief executive Michael Dell and his wife, Susan. The Dells committed $6.25 billion to the program, money that will be distributed across several states during the pilot phase. Their pledge marked the first multibillion-dollar donation to the initiative and set a precedent for private-sector participation.

An update posted Wednesday on the government’s official program portal, TrumpAccounts.gov, listed Ray and Barbara Dalio as new backers alongside the Dells. Treasury officials said additional donors are expected to be named in the coming weeks.

Although the Dalios have not disclosed the total dollar amount of their grant, Treasury data show that funding a $250 seed deposit for 300,000 children equates to a $75 million outlay. The Connecticut-focused design of the gift reflects the couple’s longstanding philanthropic activity in the state, where Bridgewater Associates is headquartered and where the Dalios have previously supported education, small-business revitalization, and anti-poverty projects.

Bessent emphasized that the “50-state challenge” is central to the Treasury’s strategy for scaling the program. Under current rules, any U.S. child is eligible to receive a Trump account, but the federal government is relying on private philanthropy to supply the initial deposits until a dedicated public funding mechanism is in place. By encouraging local donors to sponsor accounts for children in their own states, officials aim to accelerate coverage while fostering regional investment in economic mobility.

The accounts function similarly to 529 education plans and Roth IRAs, combining flexible contribution limits with tax-free growth. Parents, relatives, and approved organizations may add funds at any time, and beneficiaries gain full control once they reach the age of majority. Treasury guidance stipulates that withdrawals made for qualified expenses will remain untaxed; non-qualified withdrawals will incur ordinary income tax and a penalty.

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Early data released by the Treasury show more than 1.2 million accounts opened since the program’s launch, with aggregate balances exceeding $800 million. Officials attribute the rapid uptake to a streamlined registration system that links state birth records to a secure federal database, allowing accounts to be created automatically within weeks of a child’s birth or adoption.

Policy analysts note that the concept of universal child savings has gained momentum internationally, with nations such as the United Kingdom and Singapore running comparable schemes. In the United States, similar ideas have surfaced periodically, most recently in proposals that would establish so-called baby bonds. A brief overview of related programs is available from the Congressional Budget Office, which has examined projected fiscal impacts.

Treasury officials said administrative expenses for Trump accounts are being covered by existing departmental resources and by fees paid voluntarily by participating financial institutions. Account holders may choose among a limited menu of low-cost index funds and government bond options, all vetted for compliance with fiduciary standards.

Next steps for the initiative include expanding automatic enrollment to foster children and children of active-duty military personnel stationed overseas. The Treasury also plans to release a quarterly transparency report detailing deposits, withdrawals, and investment performance across all accounts.

Crédito da imagem: Getty Images Entertainment