If you're planning for education, whether for your children, grandchildren, or future generations, a 529 plan offers one of the most flexible and tax-advantaged ways to invest in opportunity.
Used correctly, it can serve as a tax shelter, estate planning tool, and vehicle for multigenerational wealth transfer, all while funding education tax-free. But most investors barely scratch the surface of what a 529 can do.
In this comprehensive article, we'll cover everything you need to know about 529 plans, including how ownership changes work (and whether they trigger gift tax), contribution rules, Roth rollovers, and advanced planning strategies the ultra-wealthy use to turn 529s into family education trusts.
A 529 plan, named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to help families pay for education costs.
While states administer 529s, you can typically use the funds at eligible institutions anywhere in the U.S. and even abroad.
Education Savings Plans
These function like investment accounts. You contribute after-tax dollars, choose from a menu of portfolios (often age-based), and the money grows tax-deferred. Withdrawals are tax-free if used for qualified education expenses. According to the Congressional Research Service, roughly 95% of all 529 assets are held in this type of plan.
Prepaid Tuition Plans
These allow you to lock in future tuition costs at today's prices, typically at in-state public universities. They're less flexible and cover tuition only, not room and board, but can be a hedge against tuition inflation.
Money grows tax-deferred and can be withdrawn tax-free for qualifying expenses, such as tuition, books, room and board, or even K-12 education, up to annual limits. The SEC and IRS confirm that distributions for qualifying expenses are exempt from both federal income tax and capital gains.
This is where 529s shine for high-net-worth families. Contributions are considered completed gifts to the beneficiary, which removes them from your taxable estate, but you still retain control over the funds as account owner.
You can even superfund a 529, contributing up to five years' worth of annual gift exclusions at once. In 2025, that's up to $95,000 per donor, or $190,000 per married couple, per beneficiary.
Forbes calls this "one of the most underused estate planning moves for the affluent."
Parent-owned 529 plans are counted lightly in the FAFSA formula, at roughly 5.6% of the assets' value, while distributions are not treated as income.
Under the new FAFSA rules, even distributions from grandparent-owned 529 accounts no longer count as student income, making them more aid-friendly than ever. However, private colleges using the CSS Profile may still count grandparent 529s differently.
Each year, you can contribute up to the annual gift exclusion ($19,000 per person in 2025) to a 529 without triggering gift tax. Larger contributions can utilize the five-year election, allowing you to front-load up to $95,000 at once.
If you die within that five-year window, part of the contribution is pulled back into your estate. Still, the strategy remains incredibly powerful for reducing taxable estates and front-loading growth.
Every state sets its own maximum aggregate limit, typically ranging from $235,000 to $550,000 per beneficiary. Once you hit that ceiling, you can't contribute more, but the account can continue to grow beyond it.
Withdrawals are tax-free for qualified education expenses, including:
If funds are used for non-qualified purposes, only the earnings portion is taxed as ordinary income and hit with a 10% penalty. Exceptions exist for scholarships, military academies, disability, or the death of the beneficiary. (SEC)
If you change the beneficiary to another family member (like a sibling or cousin), it's typically not a taxable event. But if you move assets down a generation—say, from your child to your grandchild—the IRS treats it as a gift equal to the account's fair market value. That means a potential Form 709 filing and reduction of lifetime exemption.
Here's the big question that sparks debate: Does changing a 529 plan's owner trigger gift tax?
According to federal tax law—no. Section 529 focuses on the beneficiary, not the owner. The owner is more akin to a custodian with control rights, rather than a beneficial owner.
So, if you transfer ownership from a parent to a grandparent but keep the same beneficiary, there's no taxable gift at the federal level.
However, as other sources note, a few state plans treat ownership changes as distributions and may issue a 1099. That's why you should always check the plan documents before making any ownership transfer.
In short:
When in doubt, coordinate with a tax advisor before making the switch.
529 plans can overlap with other education tax benefits, but you can't "double-dip."
For example, if you use 529 funds to pay tuition that you also claim for the American Opportunity Credit, the IRS will disallow one of them. A smart strategy: pay $4,000 of tuition out of pocket (to claim the full credit), then use 529 funds for other qualified expenses.
One of the most exciting recent developments came from the SECURE 2.0 Act. Starting in 2024, you can roll over unused 529 funds into a Roth IRA for the same beneficiary, subject to these limits:
This change gives unused 529 funds a new life as long-term, tax-free retirement savings—an elegant solution for overfunded accounts.
Parent-owned 529s count as a parental asset on FAFSA, but distributions don't count as income. Grandparent-owned 529s used to be treated less favorably—but under the latest FAFSA simplification, distributions from grandparent-owned plans no longer count as student income.
Still, timing matters. If a grandparent plans to help with education costs, consider making distributions after the student's junior-year FAFSA is filed to minimize any potential aid impact.
A family can set up a 529 plan, fund it aggressively, and change beneficiaries over time as new generations go to college. Since the plan can stay open indefinitely, it becomes a multigenerational education trust with perpetual tax-free growth.
However, the IRS could challenge rapid succession changes as a "step transaction," so maintain clear timing and documentation.
Grandparents can contribute up to $190,000 jointly in one year (using the five-year election) for each grandchild—immediately removing that amount from their estate while retaining control as account owners.
Transferring 529 ownership to a grandparent (without changing the beneficiary) can, in some cases, improve a student's aid profile—particularly under the new FAFSA rules. But since plan-specific quirks exist, verify before making moves.
Couples can use coordinated 529 contributions as part of a broader wealth transfer plan. Combined with annual exclusion gifting and direct tuition payments (which are not considered gifts), this can meaningfully reduce future estate tax exposure.
Imagine a retired engineer who has recently sold his business and is now considering a legacy; not just leaving money behind, but funding an opportunity. In 2025, he decides to open a 529 plan for his newborn granddaughter and contributes $95,000 immediately, using the five-year gift tax election.
That single move accomplishes several things at once:
In other words, a single front-loaded 529 contribution gives this family a head start on education costs, a lifetime of tax-free compounding, and meaningful estate tax savings, all while maintaining control and flexibility.
529 plans are far more than college savings accounts; they're versatile, tax-efficient, estate-friendly tools that can fund education for generations. Whether you're a high-income tech professional, an entrepreneur, an executive, or a grandparent looking to leave a lasting legacy, understanding how to structure and control your 529s can unlock serious long-term advantages.
Before making ownership or beneficiary changes, always confirm how your state plan handles transfers and coordinate with a qualified tax professional or CFP®.
Used strategically, a 529 isn't just about paying for school; it's about preserving wealth, maximizing flexibility, and building a financial legacy that educates future generations.
At VIP Wealth Advisors, we help high-income families turn 529 plans into a coordinated strategy for tax savings, estate planning, and multigenerational impact.