529-to-Roth Rollover Timeline Calculator

Map out the cadence needed to drain a leftover 529 plan balance into a Roth IRA using the Secure 2.0 rollover allowance. Enter the surplus amount you want to relocate and optionally adjust the annual or lifetime caps if Congress updates them. The tool shows how many tax years it will take, the typical annual transfer, and how much room you still have under the lifetime ceiling.

Enter the portion of your 529 that will not be needed for education expenses.
Defaults to the $6,500 Secure 2.0 cap if blank.
Defaults to the $35,000 lifetime maximum when empty.

Outputs are planning estimates only. Confirm eligibility, earned income requirements, and IRS guidance with your tax advisor before executing a rollover.

Examples

  • $28,000 surplus, default caps ⇒ Transferable under Secure 2.0: $28,000.00 USD • Years of Roth rollovers required: 5.00 • Average annual transfer: $5,600.00 USD • Final-year transfer: $6,000.00 USD • Lifetime cap remaining afterward: $7,000.00 USD
  • $40,000 surplus, annual cap $7,000, lifetime cap $35,000 ⇒ Transferable under Secure 2.0: $35,000.00 USD • Years of Roth rollovers required: 5.00 • Average annual transfer: $7,000.00 USD • Final-year transfer: $7,000.00 USD • Lifetime cap remaining afterward: $0.00 USD

FAQ

Do I need earned income in the rollover year?

Yes. Each year you roll 529 dollars into a Roth IRA, the beneficiary still needs earned income at least equal to that year’s contribution amount to satisfy IRS rules.

What if my surplus is below the lifetime cap?

The calculator assumes you can migrate the entire amount, so the years shown equal the surplus divided by the annual cap. Once the balance hits zero you can stop transferring.

Can I change beneficiaries to restart the 15-year clock?

Changing beneficiaries generally restarts the 15-year aging requirement. Always confirm timing with your 529 administrator before making a switch.

Additional Information

  • The Secure 2.0 rollover path currently allows a $35,000 lifetime transfer from a beneficiary’s 529 into their Roth IRA when the account is at least 15 years old.
  • Annual limits mirror the Roth IRA contribution cap for the beneficiary, so the default $6,500 aligns with the 2024 contribution ceiling.
  • If your surplus exceeds the lifetime cap, the excess must be left invested for education, reassigned to another beneficiary, or withdrawn per normal 529 rules.

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