Project your 529 plan's growth and see the gap between what you're saving and what college may cost.
A 529 plan grows tax-free and qualified withdrawals (tuition, room/board, books, K-12 tuition up to $10K/yr) are tax-free. There's no federal contribution limit — only state aggregate caps and the annual gift-tax exclusion for large single-year gifts.
College costs have historically risen faster than general inflation. This calculator lets YOU set the tuition-growth assumption rather than us guessing — check current published costs at your target school(s) for the most accurate input.
No federal contribution limit — only state aggregate caps (typically $300K–$550K+ per beneficiary, varies by state) and the annual federal gift-tax exclusion for large single-year contributions (verify the current-year exclusion at irs.gov before contributing a large lump sum).
Since 2024, SECURE 2.0 allows rolling over up to $35,000 (lifetime) of unused 529 funds into the beneficiary's Roth IRA, if the account is 15+ years old, subject to annual Roth contribution limits and other conditions.
Methodology: Future value of current balance + monthly contribution annuity at your assumed return, compared against today's cost inflated annually at your assumed rate across the funding years. Does not model financial aid, scholarships, state tax deductions, or 529-to-Roth rollovers.