05/29/2026
Today is National 529 Day, and it is one of those quiet little holidays that actually means something to us.
Here is why. In almost every planning conversation we have with families, college comes up. And almost every time, the same thing happens. Parents and grandparents know they should be saving, but the 529 plan keeps sliding down the to-do list. It never feels urgent until it suddenly is, usually around the time a kid starts touring campuses.
So consider this a friendly nudge.
A few things worth knowing about 529 plans:
The money grows tax free, and withdrawals for qualified education expenses come out tax free too. If you are a Connecticut resident, you may also be eligible for a state income tax deduction on what you contribute.
And here is the update that has changed a lot of minds lately. Thanks to SECURE 2.0, unused 529 funds can now be rolled into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary, up to a $35,000 lifetime limit. That solves the worry we heard for years, which was always some version of "but what if my child does not go to college." Now that money does not have to sit there unused. It can become a head start on their retirement instead.
The earlier you start, the more time does the heavy lifting. But honestly, starting later still beats not starting at all. We have seen families make real progress in just a few years.
If a 529 has been living on your someday list, today is a good day to move it up. If you want to talk through how one fits into your bigger plan, we are always glad to.
