Blog For Individuals529 Rollover to Roth IRA: What to Know

529 to Roth IRA Rollovers: A New Path to Retirement Savings

529 plans got a retirement upgrade! Roll over funds to a Roth IRA tax-free.

Oct 16, 2024 • 3 min read

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Key Takeaways

Leftover 529 plan funds can now be rolled over to a Roth IRA tax-free.
529 plans are now a versatile tool for both education and retirement savings.
The rollover option is available to everyone, regardless of income.

As a refresher, a 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to help you cover education costs. You fund the account with after-tax dollars, and it grows tax-deferred. Withdrawals are tax-free as long as they're used for qualified education expenses (think college tuition, K-12 tuition, apprenticeship programs, and even student loan payments).

Some employers offer 529 college savings contributions as a benefit. Paidly makes it easy for employers to set up and manage these programs, helping their employees save for education expenses. Learn more about Paidly's 529 college savings contributions.

The Big Change: Rollover to Roth IRA

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, signed into law in December 2022, includes a provision that allows you to roll over funds from your 529 plan to a Roth IRA without penalty, that started January 1, 2024. This is huge!

Why This Matters

Previously, one of the biggest drawbacks of 529 plans was the risk of penalties on withdrawals not used for qualified education expenses. This made people hesitant to contribute significant amounts. But now, with the Roth IRA rollover option, 529 plans have transformed into a powerful tool for both education and retirement savings.

Rules for the Roth IRA Rollover

The 529 account must be at least 15 years old with the same beneficiary throughout.
The amount transferred must have been in the 529 account for at least 5 years.
Rollovers are subject to annual Roth IRA contribution limits ($7,000, or $8,000 if you're over 50).
The total amount you can roll over is capped at $35,000.
Rollovers can only be made to the Roth IRA account owned by the named 529 account beneficiary
No income limits apply to this rollover.

This is essentially a new form of backdoor Roth IRA, especially beneficial for high-income earners!

Qualified Expenses

Remember, you can still withdraw money tax-free from your 529 plan for qualified education expenses, including:

Tuition and fees for K-12, college, graduate, or vocational schools
Books and supplies
Student loan payments
Off-campus housing and meal plans
Computers, internet, and software used for schoolwork
Special needs equipment

Contribution Limits

529 plans have high contribution limits, varying by state. Aggregate limits range from $235,000 to over $500,000. Be sure to research your state's specific limits.

Want to give your 529 savings an extra boost? With Paidly's Friends Helping Friends feature, anyone can contribute to your child's education fund. It's a great way for family and friends to give meaningful gifts that will make a real difference.

Team Paidly

Paidly is a Student Loan Repayment Benefit platform. Leveraging over a decade and a half of Fintech, student loan origination, and refinancing experience. Paidly specializes in creating custom student loan repayment benefit plans, designed specifically to allow employers to pay directly towards their employees' student loans. Paidly's system requires no integration and enhances talent attraction and employee retention.

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