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Trump Says He’s Seriously Weighing an Australian-Style Retirement System

The announcement coincides with a $6.25 billion Dell pledge to child “Trump Accounts” beginning deposits in 2026.

Overview

  • At a White House event, President Trump linked the exploration to efforts to raise the U.S. birthrate and explicitly confirmed he was referring to Australia’s superannuation program.
  • Australia’s system requires compulsory employer contributions of roughly 12% into private, regulated retirement funds that are generally preserved until retirement.
  • The administration has not released a U.S. proposal, and experts note substantial legal, political and practical hurdles to layering a compulsory model over America’s voluntary 401(k) framework.
  • Michael and Susan Dell pledged $6.25 billion to provide $250 deposits for up to 25 million children under 11 in communities with median incomes below $150,000 using the Trump Accounts infrastructure.
  • Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Treasury will deposit $1,000 for children born in 2025–2028, the funds must be invested in a broad market index, withdrawals are allowed at age 18, and contributions are slated to start on July 4, 2026.