1Q 2023 529 and ABLE Market Sizing Highlights

By Paul Curley, CFA | paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com | May 9, 2023

What was the 529 and ABLE market sizing as of 1Q 2023 (March 31, 2023)?

March 2023 Quarterly 529 & ABLE Market Sizing Data
– 16.1 million accounts invested $432 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans
– 15.2 million accounts invested $408 billion in assets in 529 savings plans
– 0.9 million accounts invested $24 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 144,068 accounts invested $1.399 billion in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts

December 2022 Quarterly 529 & ABLE Market Sizing Data
– 16.0 million accounts invested $411 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans
– 15.1 million accounts invested $388 billion in assets in 529 savings plans
– 0.9 million accounts invested $23 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 137,145 accounts invested $1.253 billion in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts

March 2022 Quarterly 529 & ABLE Market Sizing Data
– 15.8 million accounts invested $457 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans
– 14.9 million accounts invested $431 billion in assets in 529 savings plans
– 0.9 million accounts invested $26 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 119,599 accounts invested $1.112 billion in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts

Net Flows (contributions minus withdrawals):
– Estimated 529 savings plan net inflows were $1.6 billion in 1Q 2023 compared to net inflows of $3.4 billion in 1Q 2022, net inflows of $3.7 billion in 1Q 2021, net inflows of $3.2 billion in 1Q 2020 and net inflows of $2.6 billion in 1Q 2019, which aligns with continued demand for 529s and more parents successfully using 529s for their intended purpose of qualified education expenses to and through the market and economic volatility in the pandemic period in the United States.

From an industry asset and account level perspective, 529 saving plans continue to grow and help even more families. Therefore, investor interest in 529 plans and saving for education in an efficient and effective manner in terms of tax, financial aid and estate planning continues to rise, and especially as part of year-end tax planning and education financial planning.
Top 10 529 Savings Plans by 1Q 2023 Assets
 
Top 5 529 Savings Plan Program Managers by 1Q 2023 Assets

For questions, commentary or feedback on the data, please contact Paul Curley at paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com.