3Q 2025 529 and ABLE Market Sizing Highlights
By Paul Curley, CFA | paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com | November 11, 2025What was the 529 and ABLE market sizing as of 3Q 2025 (September 30, 2025)?
September 2025 Quarterly 529 & ABLE Market Sizing Data
– 17.4 million accounts invested $588 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans
– 16.6 million accounts invested $562 billion in assets in 529 savings plans
– 0.8 million accounts invested $26 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 223,182 accounts invested $2.871 billion in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts
June 2025 Quarterly 529 & ABLE Market Sizing Data
– 17.3 million accounts invested $568 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans
– 16.4 million accounts invested $543 billion in assets in 529 savings plans
– 0.9 million accounts invested $25 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 213,855 accounts invested $2.681 billion in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts
September 2024 Quarterly 529 & ABLE Market Sizing Data
– 16.8 million accounts invested $528 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans
– 15.9 million accounts invested $502 billion in assets in 529 savings plans
– 0.9 million accounts invested $26 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 186,501 accounts invested $2.189 billion in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts
Net Flows (contributions minus withdrawals):
– Estimated 529 savings plan net outflows were $6.7 billion in 3Q 2025 compared to net outflows of $6.7 billion in 3Q 2024, net outflows of $6.5 billion in 3Q 2023 and net outflows of $5.4 billion in 3Q 2022, which aligns with continued demand for education, career training and 529s as more parents successfully use 529s for their intended purpose of qualified educational expenses to and through the market and economic volatility in 2024 and 2025 in the United States. Furthermore, as more families use 529s for their intended purpose, more families and their friends and family are becoming more aware and familiar with their power to help save and pay for educational expenses, which generates the next positive feedback loop of momentum and success.
Building upon the momentum of growing utilization, awareness and understanding of 529s, the expansion of 529 qualified expenses in recent years including 2025 broadens the target market of 529 users to new demographics such as those seeking to develop their skills via apprenticeships, credentials and credential programs. This increase in volume and scale provides an opportunity for product providers, distributors, and fintech firms alike to create, partner, and implement ease of use enhancements to 529s which will further drive growth of 529s for years to come. Together, ISS projects new positive energy from a legislative, product, marketing and distribution perspective to drive continued growth over the next three to five years.
From an industry asset and account level perspective, 529 saving plans continue to expand to 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, estate, and education financial planning.
Top 10 529 Savings Plans by 3Q 2025 Assets
Top 5 529 Savings Plan Program Managers by 3Q 2025 Assets
For questions, commentary or feedback on the data, please contact Paul Curley at paul.curley@issgovernance.com.
– 17.4 million accounts invested $588 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans
– 16.6 million accounts invested $562 billion in assets in 529 savings plans
– 0.8 million accounts invested $26 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 223,182 accounts invested $2.871 billion in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts
June 2025 Quarterly 529 & ABLE Market Sizing Data
– 17.3 million accounts invested $568 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans
– 16.4 million accounts invested $543 billion in assets in 529 savings plans
– 0.9 million accounts invested $25 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 213,855 accounts invested $2.681 billion in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts
September 2024 Quarterly 529 & ABLE Market Sizing Data
– 16.8 million accounts invested $528 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans
– 15.9 million accounts invested $502 billion in assets in 529 savings plans
– 0.9 million accounts invested $26 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 186,501 accounts invested $2.189 billion in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts
Net Flows (contributions minus withdrawals):
– Estimated 529 savings plan net outflows were $6.7 billion in 3Q 2025 compared to net outflows of $6.7 billion in 3Q 2024, net outflows of $6.5 billion in 3Q 2023 and net outflows of $5.4 billion in 3Q 2022, which aligns with continued demand for education, career training and 529s as more parents successfully use 529s for their intended purpose of qualified educational expenses to and through the market and economic volatility in 2024 and 2025 in the United States. Furthermore, as more families use 529s for their intended purpose, more families and their friends and family are becoming more aware and familiar with their power to help save and pay for educational expenses, which generates the next positive feedback loop of momentum and success.
Building upon the momentum of growing utilization, awareness and understanding of 529s, the expansion of 529 qualified expenses in recent years including 2025 broadens the target market of 529 users to new demographics such as those seeking to develop their skills via apprenticeships, credentials and credential programs. This increase in volume and scale provides an opportunity for product providers, distributors, and fintech firms alike to create, partner, and implement ease of use enhancements to 529s which will further drive growth of 529s for years to come. Together, ISS projects new positive energy from a legislative, product, marketing and distribution perspective to drive continued growth over the next three to five years.
From an industry asset and account level perspective, 529 saving plans continue to expand to 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, estate, and education financial planning.
Top 10 529 Savings Plans by 3Q 2025 Assets
Top 5 529 Savings Plan Program Managers by 3Q 2025 Assets
For questions, commentary or feedback on the data, please contact Paul Curley at paul.curley@issgovernance.com.