New Study: FDIC-Insured 529 Plans

Saving for College released an update to its study on FDIC-Insured Products in 529 Plans. This report reviews currently available federally-insured 529 college savings plan options, including products that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Every 529 plan program was reviewed to provide the most current and accurate data was utilized. 

There are two types of FDIC-insured products held inside 529 plans: Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and Savings Accounts. Because they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (up to certain limits), FDIC-insured products are suitable for conservative investors interested in preserving capital without taking on excess risk.

As of August 31, 2022 there were 29 529 savings plans that offer some form of a federally-insured product, down from 31 in 2021. The study finds that yields net of fees on these products vary widely. Certificate of Deposit (CD) yields range from 0.20% to 3.00% depending on the duration, and saving account yields range from 0.15% to 2.56%. The maximum yields are up significantly from the previous study in 2021.

Fifteen plans now offer an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) net of fees of 2.00% or greater on federally-insured savings accounts. Fees on federally-insured savings options with 529 plans range from no fees to 0.39%.

The highest yield on CDs, 3.00%, is offered by Indiana’s CollegeChoice CD 529 Savings Plan through its 3-year CD, managed by College Savings Bank, a Division of NexBank.  Virginia’s Invest529 offers the highest APY net of fees on a savings account product: 2.56% through its FDIC-Insured Portfolio.

Download the full report: FDIC-Insured Products in the 529 Marketplace