During a Fox News interview, Bessent highlighted the program as one of the administration’s signature economic initiatives, describing it as a “game changer,” News.Az reports.
Children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, would receive a $1,000 government contribution to start an investment account. Bessent also encouraged families with children under 18 to open accounts, saying private companies, philanthropists and states are expected to add further contributions.
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According to Bessent, more than 80 corporations have already committed to supporting the program, while philanthropists Susan and Michael Dell have pledged billions of dollars to help children from lower-income communities.
He also cited additional commitments from business leaders and foundations, including support targeted at specific states.
Bessent said the initiative aims to address the fact that roughly 38% of American households do not own stocks or other equities.
“This is a game changer… Our goal is to teach financial literacy and bring everyone into the American dream.”
The Treasury secretary said the accounts would invest in low-cost index funds with minimal management fees, allowing participants to benefit from long-term market growth.
Looking beyond the program, Bessent argued that the United States is entering what the administration calls a “golden age,” driven by innovation, manufacturing investment and stable economic policies.
He said businesses are increasingly reshoring manufacturing because of what he described as greater tax certainty, regulatory stability and reliable energy policy under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Bessent also pointed to continued job creation despite recent geopolitical tensions involving Iran, saying the U.S. economy remained resilient throughout the conflict and suggesting upcoming employment figures could again show strong labor market performance.
