ICYMI: Senators Blunt Rochester, Cruz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Give Families Greater Flexibility with 529 Savings

U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the 529 Retirement Enhancement Act of 2026 . This bipartisan legislation eliminates the $35,000 lifetime cap on rollovers from 529 education savings accounts to Roth IRAs. “529 accounts can be incredibly useful in helping families prepare for higher education, but plans can change. A student may receive a scholarship, not use the full balance of their account, or simply choose a different path. Families should be able to preserve financial flexibility regardless of what their child’s education decisions are years down the road,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan 529 Retirement Enhancement Act to remove barriers to saving and give families greater peace of mind when investing in their children’s future.” “I have been committed throughout my Senate career to expanding 529 savings accounts to give parents increased flexibility to save and invest in their children’s future ,” said Senator Cruz. “The law currently penalizes families when their children receive a scholarship or choose an alternative to college, leaving education savings unused, which in turn serves as a disincentive to initially use these accounts. The bipartisan 529 Retirement Enhancement Act will give parents greater flexibility to roll over unused education funds into their children’s Roth IRAs, and I’m proud to introduce it.” This legislation is supported by the Investment Company Institute. Investment Company Institute Chief of Government Affairs and Public Policy Tom Quaadman said, “ICI applauds Sens. Cruz and Blunt Rochester for their commonsense legislation giving families greater financial flexibility and security. Families with unspent funds in a 529 plan should not be penalized because a student received a scholarship or pursued other options. The Cruz-Blunt Rochester bill permits unused education savings to be moved into a Roth IRA allowing young people to get started on their path to a secure financial future.” Read the bill text here .