Billionaire investor Ray Dalio is committing funds to the Trump accounts for children in Connecticut, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on Wednesday.
Dalio’s decision adds momentum to a nationwide push by the administration to attract donors and corporate support for the scheme. According to Bessent, nearly 20 other US states are also considering adding money to these accounts.
What are Trump accounts?
The initiative was created this year under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Under the plan, the federal government will deposit $1000 into an investment account for every child born between 2025 and 2028.
These funds must be invested in an index fund that tracks the broader stock market. The money will grow over time and become available when the child turns 18. At that stage, the funds can be used for education, job training, buying a first home, or starting a business. The accounts are officially set to open on July 4, 2026.
Who is Ray Dalio?
Ray Dalio is an American billionaire investor, hedge fund pioneer, and author. He is best known as the founder of Bridgewater Associates.
Born on August 8, 1949, in New York City, Dalio is the son of a jazz musician. He began investing at just 12 years old, when he bought shares of Northeast Airlines and tripled his money after a merger.
He earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1973 and began his Wall Street career as a trader and broker.
Dalio founded Bridgewater Associates in 1975 from his two-bedroom Manhattan apartment. The firm initially focused on risk management advice before growing into a global hedge fund powerhouse.
Bridgewater now manages over $160 billion for institutional clients, including pension funds and governments. Dalio pioneered major strategies such as Pure Alpha in 1991 and All Weather risk parity in 1996.
He stepped down as CEO in 2017 but remains influential through his “Principles” philosophy of radical transparency and meritocracy, outlined in his bestselling book.
Ray Dalio’s net worth
Ray Dalio’s net worth is estimated at $15–20 billion. Forbes placed it at about $19 billion in 2024, ranking him among the richest hedge fund managers in the world.
Alongside his wife, Dalio has donated billions to charity and pledged half of their income in 2011. Their philanthropy focuses on education, healthcare, and ocean exploration.
Now in his mid-70s, Dalio continues to write about economics, share investment insights, and advise on global economic issues.
Corporate America joins in
Interest from major financial firms is growing fast. On Wednesday, BlackRock became the latest company to announce it would match the government’s $1,000 contribution for its employees’ children.
Other companies backing the initiative include Charter Communications, BNY, Block, Uber, Visa, and Mastercard, according to the administration.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the goal is to secure donor participation across every US state, expanding the reach of the program.
In one of the largest commitments so far, entrepreneur Michael Dell and his wife Susan have pledged $250 each to the individual investment accounts of 25 million American children. That amounts to a $6.25 billion philanthropic pledge supporting the initiative.
It is not yet known how the accounts will be managed day to day or how effective they will be in boosting savings among lower-income families. Internal Revenue Service Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano said more operational details will be shared soon.