Episode Overview

Podcast: The Candy Valentino Show
Episode: Your Money Minute: The New 529 is More Than Just College Savings
Date: September 12, 2025
Host: Candy Valentino

In this concise Money Minute segment, Candy Valentino breaks down recent and impactful changes to the 529 savings plan, a popular vehicle for education savings. Traditionally seen as a way to save for college, the newly revamped 529 plan offers expanded flexibility, empowering families to maximize their investment for a range of educational and wealth-building opportunities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The 529 Plan’s Major Upgrade

• Changing Perceptions
  Candy opens by noting that most people think of the 529 plan strictly as a college savings account, but recent legislative changes—described as the "big beautiful bill"—have expanded its uses significantly.

Expanded K-12 Usage

• Increased Cap for Pre-College Use
  • Families can now use up to $20,000 for K-12 expenses—double the previous $10,000 limit.
  • Applicable to private school tuition, tutoring, and even online educational programs.

  • "First up, families can now use up to $20,000 for K through 12 expenses and that's double the $10,000 cap. So that's private tuition, tutoring and even online programs."
    —Candy Valentino [00:58]

More Qualified Expenses

• Expanded Definitions of Educational Use
  • The list of qualified expenses now includes books, exam fees, and, notably, services for children with disabilities, such as therapies and learning support.

  • "Second, the list of qualified expenses just got bigger. You can use this for books, exam fees and for kids with disabilities, even for therapies and learning support."
    —Candy Valentino [01:14]

Beyond College: Career Training and Credentials

• Career-Oriented Flexibility
  • 529 funds are no longer just for college; they can be used for career training, trade schools, and credential programs—whether that’s aviation mechanics or taking the bar exam.

  • "Third, 529s are not just for college anymore. You can use them for career training and credential programs. Whether that's a trade school, aviation mechanics or taking the bar exam."
    —Candy Valentino [01:29]

The Biggest Change: Investment Rollover Option

• Roth IRA Rollover
  • Under certain circumstances, unused 529 funds can now be rolled over into a Roth IRA, turning leftover education savings into an investment for retirement and amplifying their wealth-building potential.

  • "And lastly, the biggest of them all, under certain circumstances, you can roll over unused money within the 529 into an investment account like the Roth IRA."
    —Candy Valentino [01:40]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• New Perspective on 529s

  "Bottom line, call it what you want. This is a game changer for the 529. They are no longer just a college savings account. They are a wealth building tool giving your family more flexibility, more options and more control."
  —Candy Valentino [01:48]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:42] Introduction and traditional view of the 529 plan
• [00:58] Expanded K-12 spend cap
• [01:14] New qualified expenses for books, exam fees, and special needs
• [01:29] 529 plan for career training and credentials, not just college
• [01:40] Roth IRA rollover for unused 529 funds
• [01:48] Summary and Candy’s final perspective on 529 as a wealth-building tool

Episode Tone & Style

Candy's delivery is energetic and clear, aiming to empower listeners by making financial tools more accessible and actionable for a wide audience. The tone is upbeat, confidence-inspiring, and focused on practical wealth-building advice.

By demystifying the expanded 529 plan, Candy Valentino encourages listeners to view it not just as a means to fund college, but as a multi-purpose wealth and educational vehicle for the whole family.