Why a college savings plan account can be one of the best gifts
(BPT) - Deciding what gift to give a child for holidays, birthdays, graduations and other gift-giving occasions can be challenging. Traditional gifts like computers, phones, gift cards and clothing may be appreciated in the moment, but they don't have the potential to appreciate in value over time. This year, instead of giving a traditional gift, consider starting or contributing to a student's 529 college savings plan account to help save for future education.
The cost of college has risen substantially over the past 20 years. According to the College Board Trends in College Pricing, the cost of a four-year undergraduate education - which includes tuition, room and board - increased by 68% at private colleges and universities between 1994 and 2024. For public colleges and universities, the cost increased by 78% during the same period.1
Given the rise in college costs, it's no surprise that 79% of parents would welcome a contribution to their child's college savings account in lieu of traditional gifts, according to Fidelity's 2025 College Gifting Study.
Beyond the monetary value, there are other benefits of gifting to a college savings plan account. Below are just a few of the many reasons why a 529 plan may be one of the best gifts you can give a child of any age in 2026.
1. It teaches financial values
Opening or contributing money to a college savings account can be a great opportunity to teach your child or teen financial literacy. Start by showing them the account and discussing how much you and other family members can contribute toward their college costs. For those with older children who are working part-time, encourage them to contribute part of their paycheck to their college savings account, so they can feel ownership over their plan.
2. It's easy to give
In many cases, setting up a 529 savings plan account is simple and can be done online. For example, when you visit the Fidelity website, you can choose a plan, select the investments and set up automatic fund payments. On your plan page, you can make it easy for other family members to contribute, too.
Grandparents are especially keen to contribute to their grandchildren's education. According to Fidelity's study, 35% of grandparents have contributed to a savings account for a child's education instead of a traditional gift. However, for those who haven't contributed, many said they want to but don't know how.
If you have a 529 plan account managed by Fidelity, you can make it simple for anyone who wants to contribute to your student's savings plan to do so year-round by creating a gifting dashboard. Visit your gifting dashboard or set one up here, then find the option for sharing a link to your personalized college gifting page. Anyone with the link can click the "Give a gift" button and make a gift to the savings plan using their checking account.
3. They're flexible
One of the benefits of a 529 college savings plan is that a student can use it for more than just traditional college tuition. In fact, they can use it not just for college, but to pay for vocational and trade school expenses.
Some 529 qualified education expenses include:
- College tuition and fees
- Room and board
- Books and supplies
- Technology
- Special needs expenses
- K-12 qualified expenses up to $10,000 ($20,000 in 2026)
What's more, under certain conditions, you can transfer tax- and penalty-free up to a lifetime limit of $35,000 in a 529 to a Roth IRA opened by the 529 beneficiary, which offers some flexibility in the event the student doesn't use all the funds.2
4. It's a gift that means a lot today and more tomorrow
When you give or contribute to a college savings plan, you're demonstrating your own investment in a child's educational future. Starting an account early is recommended, but don't be deterred by feeling like you're too late.
Any earnings grow federal income tax-deferred, plus they'll get tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses. It's a meaningful gift, and even a little today can grow to be more tomorrow.
Bonus: Contributing to a 529 savings account can be a gift for you, too! If you want to contribute to a friend or family member's 529 plan, individual contributions up to $19,000 annually and up to $38,000 per married couple, are not subject to the federal gift tax, and some states may even offer tax incentives for contributions by state residents.
To learn more about how to gift to a 529 plan account, visit Fidelity.com/529-Plans/College-Gifting.
1. The College Board Trends in College Pricing 2024; Table CP-2 https://research.collegeboard.org/trends/college-pricing
2. Beginning January 2024, the Secure 2.0 Act of 2022 (the "Act") provides that you may transfer assets from your 529 account to a Roth IRA established for the Designated Beneficiary of a 529 account under the following conditions: (i) the 529 account must be maintained for the Designated Beneficiary for at least 15 years, (ii) the transfer amount must come from contributions made to the 529 account at least five years prior to the 529-to-Roth IRA transfer date, (iii) the Roth IRA must be established in the name of the Designated Beneficiary of the 529 account, (iv) the amount transferred to a Roth IRA is limited to the annual Roth IRA contribution limit, and (v) the aggregate amount transferred from a 529 account to a Roth IRA may not exceed $35,000 per individual. It is your responsibility to maintain adequate records and documentation on your accounts to ensure you comply with the 529-to-Roth IRA transfer requirements set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has not issued guidance on the 529-to-Roth IRA transfer provision in the Act but is anticipated to do so in the future. Based on forthcoming guidance, it may be necessary to change or modify some 529-to-Roth IRA transfer requirements. Please consult a financial or tax professional regarding your specific circumstances before making any investment decision.
529 distributions for qualified education expenses are generally federal income tax free. 529 assets may be used to pay for (i) qualified higher education expenses, (ii) qualified expenses for registered apprenticeship programs, (iii) up to $10,000 per taxable year per beneficiary for tuition expenses ($20,000 for expenses beginning in taxable years after December 31, 2025) in connection with enrollment at a public, private, and religious elementary and secondary educational institution. Although such assets may come from multiple 529 accounts, the $10,000 qualified withdrawal ($20,000 beginning in taxable years after December 31, 2025) limit will be aggregated on a per beneficiary basis. The IRS has not provided guidance to date on the methodology of allocating the $10,000 annual maximum ($20,000 beginning in taxable years after December 31, 2025) among withdrawals from different 529 accounts, (iv) amounts paid as principal or interest on any qualified education loan of a 529 plan designated beneficiary or a sibling of the designated beneficiary. The amount treated as a qualified expense is subject to a lifetime limit of $10,000 per individual. Although the assets may come from multiple 529 accounts, the $10,000 withdrawal limit for qualified educational loans payments will be aggregated on a per individual basis. The IRS has not provided guidance to date on the methodology of allocating the $10,000 annual maximum among withdrawals from different 529 accounts, and (v) tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for the enrollment or attendance in a recognized postsecondary credential program as defined under Section 529 of the Code and identified by the Secretary of the Treasury as being such a reputable program. Any earnings on distributions not used for qualified higher educational expenses or that exceed distribution limits may be taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty. Some states do not conform with federal tax law. Please check with your home state to determine if it recognizes the expanded 529 benefits afforded under federal tax law, including distributions for elementary and secondary education expenses, apprenticeship programs, postsecondary credentialing programs, and student loan repayments. You may want to consult with a tax professional before investing or making distributions.
Fidelity does not provide legal or tax advice. The information herein is general and educational in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Tax laws and regulations are complex and subject to change, which can materially impact investment results. Fidelity cannot guarantee that the information herein is accurate, complete, or timely. Fidelity makes no warranties with regard to such information or results obtained by its use, and disclaims any liability arising out of your use of, or any tax position taken in reliance on, such information. Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation.
Views expressed are as of the date indicated and may change based on market and other conditions. Unless otherwise noted, the opinions provided are those of the speaker or author, as applicable, and not necessarily those of Fidelity Investments.
Recently enacted legislation made a number of changes to the rules regarding defined contribution, defined benefit, and/or individual retirement plans and 529 plans. Information herein may refer to or be based on certain rules in effect prior to this legislation and current rules may differ. As always, before making any decisions about your retirement planning or withdrawals, you should consult with your personal tax advisor.
Units of the portfolios are municipal securities and may be subject to market volatility and fluctuation.
Please carefully consider the plan's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For this and other information on any 529 college savings plan managed by Fidelity, contact Fidelity for a free Fact Kit, or view one online. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.
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