In a statement shared exclusively with CNBC, American Airlines said it will contribute an additional one-time $1,000 to Trump Accounts for employees' eligible children, matching the Treasury's $1,000. "At American Airlines, our purpose is to care for people on life's journey, and that includes helping our team members build a strong financial future for themselves and their families," CEO Robert Isom said. The company said thousands of its workers' children could qualify for the employer match, and noted that roughly one-third of its nearly 140,000 global employees will have access to the pretax contribution option.
When a parent or guardian opens one for an infant born from 2025 through 2028, the Treasury provides a $1,000 seed deposit, and the account receives tax-deferred treatment. After an account is opened, parents, guardians, grandparents and others may put in as much as $5,000 annually up to the calendar year preceding the beneficiary's 18th birthday.
According to the latest published data, roughly 1.4 million children enrolled in Trump Accounts are eligible to get the $1,000 starter deposit from the Treasury. The Treasury Department has proposed regulations that would let employees direct pretax wages into their dependent children's accounts, and American Airlines plans to offer that payroll deduction next year once the rules are finalized.
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Beginning in 2027, American's plan will let qualifying workers divert as much as $2,500 in pre-tax pay each year into a Trump Account.
According to the Treasury Department, over 50 employers have already committed to making some type of contribution into their employees' Trump Accounts. Alongside American Airlines, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have said they will provide a dollar-for-dollar match to the government's $1,000 seed. "It is encouraging to see our nation's leading companies, including American Airlines, supporting this effort by offering matching contributions for their employees," according to a written statement from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent provided to CNBC.
The combination of a $1,000 federal deposit, employer matches, and future pretax payroll contributions could accelerate savings for families with young children. While Trump Accounts are one of several tax-advantaged options, financial experts generally advise enrolling when government or employer dollars are available.
