---
title: "529 education savings plans"
license: CC-BY-SA-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
source: https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/glossary/529-plans
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: Investor.gov / SEC, \"529 Plans (glossary)\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-10-14
date: 2026-10-14
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-10-14
category: education
checked_on: 2026-10-14
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "529 Plans (glossary)"
    publisher: Investor.gov / SEC
    url: https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/glossary/529-plans
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S2
    title: "529 plan"
    publisher: Wikipedia
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/529_plan
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikipedia)"
---
# 529 education savings plans

## Summary
A 529 plan (qualified tuition program) is a tax-advantaged way to save for education, sponsored by states, state agencies or schools. Two types: prepaid tuition and education savings plans.

> **General information, not financial or tax advice.**

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: A 529 plan, legally a qualified tuition plan, is a tax-advantaged savings vehicle for education costs, authorized by IRC Section 529.
  confidence: high
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1, S2]
  license: CC BY-SA 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-10-14
- id: F2
  claim: Plans are sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions; every state and DC sponsors at least one.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY-SA 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-10-14
- id: F3
  claim: There are two types: prepaid tuition plans and education savings plans.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY-SA 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-10-14
- id: F4
  claim: Since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, K-12 tuition also counts as a qualified expense, alongside higher education.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S2]
  license: CC BY-SA 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-10-14
- id: F5
  claim: The SEC does not regulate or oversee 529 plans.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY-SA 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-10-14

## Pointers
- answers: Current K-12 dollar limits and qualified-expense rules
  where: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/529-plans-questions-and-answers
  access: open