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Prepare for future education expenses today with a 529

Get started with a Merrill 529 account

Starting early and making regular contributions can help accelerate your savings

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Tax-free withdrawals

Enjoy tax-free withdrawals for eligible college purchases. The longer you invest, the more your savings can add up.Footnote 1

Easily add funds

Contribute quickly with mobile check deposits and one-time or recurring transfers. Your contributions can add up to big savings over time. Contribute quickly with mobile check deposits and one-time or recurring transfers.Footnotes 2,3

A wide range of investment choices

Select from several choices including age-based, diversified, single fund and stable principal portfolios. Select from choices including age-based, diversified, single fund and stable principal portfolios.

Pay for more than tuition

Use your funds to pay for qualified educational expenses like books, room and board, computers and tuition at eligible two- or four-year, private or public colleges nationwide. Use funds for qualified educational expenses and tuition at eligible two- or four-year, private or public colleges nationwide.Footnote1

Did you know you can rollover established 529 funds into a Roth IRA?

Starting in 2024, new provisions to the Secure 2.0 Act allow you to rollover a limited amount of an unused 529 account balance into a Roth IRA without incurring a penalty. This gives greater flexibility for savings and the ability to rollover remaining funds tax-free, giving seamless tax-free growth. More details popup

Wondering how much you'll need? We can help.

See how much you'll need to save for college. You'll get a customized college planning summary based on your answers.

Invest with advice when you need it

A Merrill advisor can help you pursue your college saving goals. Call 888.637.3343 or click below to get started.
Please remember there's always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

Before you invest in a Section 529 plan, request the plan's official statement from your Financial Solutions Advisor and read it carefully. The official statement contains more complete information, including investment objectives, charges, expenses and risks of investing in the 529 plan, which you should consider carefully before investing. You should also consider whether your home state or your beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection against creditors that are only available for investments in such state's 529 plan. Section 529 plans are not guaranteed by any state or federal agency.


Section 529 plans are established by various states and are offered to residents of all states. Depending on the laws of the customer's home state, favorable tax treatment for investing in a Section 529 plan may be limited to investments made in a Section 529 plan offered by the customer's home state. Neither Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated nor any of its affiliates are tax or legal advisors. We suggest you consult your personal tax or legal advisor before making tax or legal-related investment decisions.

Each investment portfolio in a Section 529 plan will have its own annual expenses. Generally, portfolios with a higher allocation to equity investments tend to have higher expenses than portfolios with fixed income allocations. Please refer to the specific Section 529 plan's Program Description document for the actual portfolio expenses.

Footnote 1 To be eligible for favorable tax treatment afforded to any earnings portion of withdrawals from Section 529 accounts, such withdrawals must be used for "qualified higher education expenses," as defined in the Internal Revenue Code. Any earnings withdrawn that are not used for such expenses are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to a 10% additional federal tax as well as state and local income taxes. For distributions after December 31, 2017 "qualified higher education expenses" include tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private or religious school. These distributions are limited to $10,000 per calendar year, across all 529 accounts for the same beneficiary. State tax treatment may vary.

Footnote 
Certain banking and brokerage accounts may be ineligible for real-time money movement, including but not limited to transfers to/from bank IRAs (CD, Money Market), 529s, Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking™, Credit Cards and transfers from IRAs, Loans (HELOC, LOC, Mortgage) and accounts held in the military bank. Accounts eligible for real-time transfers will be displayed online in the to/from drop down menu on the transfer screen.
Footnote 3 Mobile check deposits are subject to verification and not available for immediate withdrawal. Other restrictions apply. Message and data rates may apply.

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Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.

Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions.

This material is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or investment strategy. Merrill offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory (including financial planning) and other services. Additional information is available in our Client Relationship Summary (PDF).

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as "MLPF&S" or "Merrill") makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp."). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member Securities Investor Protection (SIPC) popup and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp").
Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc. (MLLA) is a licensed insurance agency and wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation.

Investment products offered through MLPF&S and insurance and annuity products offered through MLLA:
Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value
Are Not Deposits Are Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency Are Not a Condition to Any Banking Service or Activity


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