529 Contribution Goal
Free 529 Contribution Goal calculator with clear step-by-step results.
About 529 Contribution Goal
Works out the level monthly 529 contribution that closes the gap between what your plan is projected to be worth and the balance you want on the first day of college. Your existing balance is compounded forward first, then the remaining shortfall is spread across the months you have left as an ordinary annuity.
Formulas
Future value of today's balance
Projected = current balance x (1 + monthly return)^months
Contribution needed
Monthly = (target - projected) / (((1 + r)^months - 1) / r)
Worked example
With the default values below, 529 Contribution Goal returns Monthly contribution needed of $328.24. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Target 529 balanceminimum 0 $
- 120,000 $
- Current 529 balanceminimum 0 $
- 10,000 $
- Years until first tuition billaccepts 1–30
- 15
- Expected annual returnaccepts 0–15 %
- 6 %
Results
- Monthly contribution needed
- $328.24
- Today's balance grows to
- $24,540.94
- Total you will contribute
- $59,083.65
- Growth earned inside the plan
- $50,916.35
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Future value of today's balance
- 3Contribution needed
- 4Monthly contribution needed= $328.24
- 5Today's balance grows to= $24,540.94
- 6Total you will contribute= $59,083.65
- 7Growth earned inside the plan= $50,916.35
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or fees or charges into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
- Educational estimate only. 529 contribution limits, state tax deductions and gift-tax rules vary by state and change over time - confirm with your plan administrator or a tax adviser.
How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.
Educational estimate only. 529 contribution limits, state tax deductions and gift-tax rules vary by state and change over time - confirm with your plan administrator or a tax adviser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this account for tuition inflation?
No - the target balance you enter is treated as a nominal dollar figure. If you want to cover inflation, raise the target by roughly 5% per year of college cost growth before entering it.
What return should I assume?
Age-based 529 portfolios glide from equities into bonds, so a blended 5-7% nominal assumption is common for a 15-year horizon and 3-4% when college is under five years away.