^{Photo: Bloomberg.com}

Intel Steps In to Double Down on Child Investment Program

Intel announced Tuesday that it will match the Trump administration’s $1,000 contribution for children of eligible U.S. employees, effectively doubling the starter investment for participating families.

The move comes as Intel now counts the U.S. government as its largest shareholder following an $8.9 billion federal investment last year, which gave Washington roughly a 10% ownership stake in the semiconductor giant. The company’s decision highlights the increasingly close relationship between Intel and the federal government, as both sides work to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing and expand long-term economic participation.

The matching funds will be offered as an employee benefit, giving Intel workers an additional incentive to enroll their children in the new federal savings initiative commonly referred to as “Trump Accounts.”

Inside the 530A “Trump Accounts” Program

The initiative, formally known as the 530A program, was introduced as part of the administration’s sweeping economic package and is designed to help children begin building wealth from birth.

Under the program, parents can open tax-advantaged investment accounts for children under 18. For kids born between 2025 and 2028, the federal government will provide an automatic $1,000 seed deposit. Employers may contribute up to $2,500 per child without triggering taxable income for families, making corporate participation a key driver of the program’s impact.

Parents will be able to begin opening accounts starting in July, with funds invested in diversified portfolios intended to grow over many years through compounding. The accounts are structured to support future expenses such as education, housing, or entrepreneurship once beneficiaries reach adulthood.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan framed the initiative as an investment in the next generation of innovators.

“America’s future technologists will define the next era of innovation, and the Trump Accounts program helps give them an early financial foundation,” Tan said in a statement.

A Growing List of Corporate Supporters

Intel joins a rapidly expanding roster of major financial institutions and corporations that have committed to matching the government’s $1,000 contribution. Participants already include SoFi, Charter Communications, BNY, BlackRock, Robinhood, Charles Schwab, and the Investment Company Institute.

The involvement of these firms is expected to significantly increase the total capital flowing into the program, potentially translating into billions of dollars in long-term investments over the next several years as more employers opt in.

In a separate show of support, Dell founder Michael Dell announced in December that he plans to donate $6.25 billion to help fund Trump Accounts for children born before the Jan. 1 eligibility cutoff, providing $250 in seed money for those who would otherwise miss out on the federal contribution.

Intel’s Broader Strategy Tied to Government Partnership

Intel’s participation in the program comes amid a wider transformation of the company’s relationship with Washington. The federal government’s $8.9 billion investment last year marked a turning point, making it Intel’s largest shareholder and reinforcing its central role in U.S. semiconductor policy.

That funding is part of a broader effort to reshore chip manufacturing, strengthen supply chains, and reduce reliance on overseas production. Intel is already investing tens of billions of dollars into new fabrication plants across states such as Arizona and Ohio, projects expected to create thousands of high-paying technical jobs over the next decade.

By aligning employee benefits with federal economic initiatives, Intel is positioning itself not only as a manufacturing partner but also as a contributor to long-term household financial stability.

What This Means for Families

For eligible Intel employees, the combined federal and corporate contributions mean their children could start life with at least $2,000 invested from day one. With decades to grow, even modest annual returns could translate into substantial sums by adulthood, especially when paired with additional family contributions.

Financial planners note that early investment, combined with tax advantages and employer matching, can dramatically increase lifetime wealth potential through compounding.

As more companies adopt similar matching policies, Trump Accounts may evolve into a widely used savings vehicle, blending public funding with private-sector participation to create a new pathway for intergenerational wealth building.

Intel’s decision to match the government’s contribution underscores how corporate benefits, federal policy, and long-term investing are increasingly converging. For thousands of families, the initiative offers a rare opportunity to give children a financial head start — backed by both their employer and the U.S. government.

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