It’s time! Using your 529 education savings plan account
You may not feel emotionally ready for your child to leave the nest, but you’re better prepared financially, thanks to your 529 savings plan. You’ve been smart about saving; now be smart about how you spend that money.
Key takeaways
- Know the rules for 529 savings plan withdrawals.
- Think about how and when you’ll access the money.
- Avoid withdrawals for nonqualified expenses.
How to be smart about spending what you've saved
The rules for 529 savings plan withdrawals are easy to navigate with a little preparation. Know the basics to ensure a smooth path for you (the account owner) and your child (the beneficiary).
Keep the tax benefits going
Any earnings in your 529 savings plan are exempt from federal taxes. As long as you use the money for qualified education expenses within the payment year, the withdrawals won’t be taxable either. State tax treatment varies.
Withdraw funds in three steps
What to do with leftover funds
What if you don’t need all that money for school after all? If your child received a scholarship, you can still access the money up to the amount of the scholarship free of penalty. But you will have to pay taxes on the earnings. Or perhaps your child is attending a more affordable school, or room and board expenses are less than expected.
Before taking withdrawals for anything besides education, consider other options. Is your child planning on grad school? Your account can continue to grow and be used for those costs. If the child’s expenses are covered, the funds can be transferred to a 529 savings plan for a different beneficiary. You're even allowed to withdraw money for a younger beneficiary's K-12 tuition. However, the earnings may not be exempt from state taxes, so talk to a financial professional before making your decision.
In 2019, the SECURE Act included provisions that allow 529 funds to be used for payments toward the principal and interest of a qualified student loan (up to a $10,000 lifetime maximum per individual) for the beneficiary and each of the beneficiary's siblings.
The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 has now expanded on that flexibility. Beginning in 2024, unused funds held in a 529 account can be rolled over to a Roth IRA (individual retirement account) for the beneficiary if the account meets certain requirements. Penalty-free rollovers can be made if the account has been open for more than 15 years, and the amount to be rolled over must have been in the account for a minimum of five years. This rollover allowance has a $35,000 lifetime cap per beneficiary.
Things to do next
- Contact your 529 savings plan provider to understand the process of making a withdrawal.
- Mark your calendar or set up an alert on your phone for the dates you'll need to start the transaction process. Make sure you leave plenty of time for the payment process.
- Consult your tax professional about who should be the direct recipient of the money: you, your child or the school.
Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectuses and summary prospectuses, which can be obtained from a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. Similar information is contained in the CollegeAmerica Program Description, which can be obtained from a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. CollegeAmerica is distributed by American Funds Distributors, Inc. and sold through unaffiliated intermediaries.
Depending on your state of residence, there may be an in-state plan that provides state tax and other state benefits, such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors, not available through CollegeAmerica. Before investing in any state's 529 plan, investors should consult a tax advisor. CollegeAmerica is a nationwide plan sponsored by Virginia529.
This material does not constitute legal or tax advice. Investors should consult with their legal or tax advisors.
All Capital Group trademarks mentioned are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., an affiliated company or fund. All other company and product names mentioned are the property of their respective companies.
Use of this website is intended for U.S. residents only.
American Funds Distributors, Inc.
This content, developed by Capital Group, home of American Funds, should not be used as a primary basis for investment decisions and is not intended to serve as impartial investment or fiduciary advice.