In a 529 plan, can an individual be both the donor and the beneficiary?

In a 529 plan, it is indeed possible for an individual to be both the donor and the beneficiary, provided that they are of legal age. This means that a person can contribute funds to their own 529 plan account, allowing them to save for their own education expenses.

The structure of 529 plans is designed to be flexible, encouraging individuals to invest in their own education—as well as that of their children or other beneficiaries. Therefore, if the donor is of legal age, they can manage their own funds and also benefit from them once they pursue qualifying educational expenses.

This option aligns with the intent of 529 plans, which is to facilitate saving for education by allowing individuals to take advantage of tax benefits and potentially grow their investments over time.