529 Calculator

Frequently asked questions

Why doesn't this ask which state I'm in or recommend a specific 529 plan?

Because it doesn't sell anything. Most of the 529 calculators out there are operated by either a brokerage advertising their own managed plan or an individual state with its own plan, which means those calculators will most likely steer you toward each of those plans. This is just a mathematical tool: how much you'll have at your disposal, what the gap is from where you want to be, and what it would take to get there. Which plan you actually use is a completely different decision, and a good way to begin comparing them independently is the Saving for College plan directory.

What does the target amount mean, and where do I get one?

It's basically how much money you are going to save toward that goal, regardless of what number you choose based on your own family's goals. This tool does not give you an estimated cost of college. A reliable estimate requires a regularly updated, nationwide-average dataset broken out by school type, and a generic guess dressed up as a precise number can do more harm than good. Many families use a rough estimate of $100,000 to $200,000 per child for a four-year in-state public school as a starting point; treat it as your own number and adjust it as needed.

Does my state offer a tax deduction for 529 contributions?

Many states offer deductions or credits for contributions to any state's 529 plan; some offer a deduction or credit only for their own state's plan, and a handful offer nothing at all. Because each state has different rules that are subject to periodic change, this tool doesn't model that benefit. Check your own state's specific treatment before assuming a deduction applies, and factor it in separately if it does.

What can 529 funds actually be used for?

Federal law treats qualified higher education expenses, tuition and fees, room and board, and books and required equipment at an eligible institution, as tax-free withdrawals, along with up to $10,000 a year in K-12 tuition costs. As a result of provisions added by SECURE 2.0, since 2024 unused 529 funds can also be rolled into a Roth IRA for the same beneficiary, up to a $35,000 lifetime limit and subject to annual Roth contribution limits. Withdrawals used for anything else are treated as taxable income and are subject to a 10% penalty on the earnings portion.

What does the required monthly contribution figure actually tell me?

It's the amount that needs to be added monthly, starting now and growing at the return assumption you enter, to reach your target by the target age, solved directly using the very same projection formula used elsewhere on this page. If it's higher than what you're actually contributing, that's the size of the adjustment needed, either a higher contribution, a longer horizon, a lower target, or accepting the gap.

Can I track more than one child?

Yes, each child or goal you add is tracked separately with its own ages, savings, contribution and target, and the summary and chart combine them into a household total.

Why save a snapshot instead of just watching the live projection?

The live totals always reflect your current plan, a projected result of what will happen, not a historical record of what actually did. A snapshot saves your actual total savings at the moment it was saved. Checking back on this tool every few months builds a real progress line, rather than just the same forecast recalculated.

Is my savings data private?

Yes. Every goal and snapshot is stored only in this browser's IndexedDB, on your device, never uploaded anywhere. There's no account, no sync between devices and no export yet, so clearing your browser data or switching devices loses everything entered here.