In case you had not heard, Social Security funds (or Social IN-Security as I like to call it) will likely run dry within ten years. That is, unless our federal government finds yet another way to create money out of thin air. Something at which they seem to excel.
There is great risk in allowing this program to fail. Experts at AI report that “using 2025/2026 data, roughly 75 million people receive monthly benefits through programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This means that over one-fifth of the entire U.S. population relies on these programs.”
PS: we seasoned citizens paid into this “retirement plan” our entire employment life.
In simple English, this means that if the program goes kaput, a whole lot of elected officials will be given the boot. Illinois Governor Pritzker can say “never fear.” (Of course he can. He’s a bazilliionaire!) Or quoting one of his political heroes,
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Wait just a minute. Isn’t that quote from the same politician who brought us the flawed retirement program we call “Social Security?” It is. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the infamous Social Security Act into law in 1935. It became the nation’s first “federal social insurance program to provide financial assistance and retirement benefits for elderly Americans.”
Any of us seasoned citizens who collect on this know you could hardly pay your Illinois real estate taxes with your monthly SSA benefit these days. Of course, we do get the occasional and meager “cost of living” increase now and then. Pardon me while I choke on that non-reality!
Ah…but there is an alternate way to survive! It’s called the money you squirrel away at your job in an IRA or other retirement fund. If you were wise, and you worked for an organization that offered this benefit, hopefully you took advantage of it. If you didn’t have such a benefit or decided not to participate, well, sorry for you!
Truth is, a good number of Americans were not “coached” into saving and investing money. Going back a little in time, this was not the case! Young people were taught about “thrift.” You can read all about this history dating back to the 1800s in an excellent article titled, The School Savings Bank published by the University of Chicago.
But wait! Happy days of thrift may be here again! Enter stage right a new program launched by the Trump administration called, get this now, Trump Accounts. It arrived with mighty fanfare (what else would you expect from Sir Donald) when he rang the opening bells on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq from the Oval Office on Monday, July 6th.
These accounts are for the younger set. They were created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Access became available for contributions as of July 4th. The accounts are open to children who won’t turn 18 by year’s end.
And here’s the bonus.
“Every eligible child gets a one-time $1,000 seed contribution from the federal government, and family or employers can add more, up to annual limits.”
Money is then invested (by default in an S&P 500 ETF) and grows, tax-advantaged, until your young investor turns 18. Enrollment is free! Parents sign up at TrumpAccounts.gov. (Details here.)
Shockingly, the move received praise from a democratic governor! (No, not J.B., folks.) Maryland Gov. Wes Moore praised the White House for launching Trump Accounts saying,
“I will give this administration credit for this…It’s actually a good idea.”
The announcement ceremony was attended by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Senator Ted Cruz, and Mr. & Mrs. Michael Dell of Dell Technologies. The Dells pledged a $6.25 billion commitment—$250 each to the first 25 million qualifying children who signed up for Trump Accounts! Sign up now!!
The Bible has much to say about money. Proverbs 13:11, for example, states
“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” (ESV)
Jesus addressed the topic often. Roughly 15% of His recorded teachings deal with money—and many of His 38 parables!
Teaching children to invest and manage money can yield many dividends—for the home and for the Kingdom. Yes, it pays to have a portfolio well stocked!
