Trump Accounts: Comparing the 5 Selected Low-Cost Index ETFs

Summary

No matter what side of the aisle your political beliefs and values align with, there is one thing the majority of Americans can agree on: the country finds itself firmly in an affordability crisis. From a lopsided housing market and elevated used car prices to college tuition and higher energy prices fueling inflation, prices for everyday items and wealth-building milestones are near all-time highs. To help younger generations address that issue, the Trump administration announced in December 2025 that it was establishing Trump Accounts—tax-advantaged investment vehicles for U.S. children under the age of 18. Officially launched on July 4, the accounts offer government funding of $1,000 for eligible babies born between 2025 and 2028, with up to $5,000 in addition funding from family and friends permitted each year. The idea behind the accounts is to give eligible children a head start. And on July 1, the U.S. Treasury Department released its list of low-cost index funds that plan participants can choose from. While the State Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF NYSEARCA: SPYM. is currently the default investment in Trump Accounts at launch, the Treasury intends to add four additional funds to its list of offerings in the coming months, State Street’s Ultra-Low-Cost S&P 500 ETFState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF TodaySPYMState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF$88.50 -0.34 (-0.38%) As of 12:40 PM Eastern52-Week Range$72.86▼$89.52Dividend Yield1.03%Assets Under Management$161.09 billion Formerly trading under the ticker SPLG, SPYM is a passively managed fund tracking the S&P 500. At just 0.02%, it features one of the lowest expense ratios on the market. A hypothetical $50,000 invested in SPYM would render fees of just $10 annually. The fund invests primarily in mega- and large-cap U.S. equities. As it mirrors the S&P 500, it has gained more than 10% this year and more than 20% over the trailing year. Like the index itself, SPYM’s portfolio is heavily tilted toward tec...