‘Sweet’ news: my529 named a top-rated plan for 16th year
Utah’s educational savings plan earns Gold rating for 2026
November 10, 2026
(Salt Lake City) my529, Utah’s 529 educational savings plan, has once again earned a Morningstar Analyst Rating™ of Gold, extending the longest consecutive streak of top ratings among 529 plans nationwide. The distinction comes as my529 celebrates 30 years of helping families invest for future education expenses.
In its annual 529 industry report, released November 9, Morningstar named my529 as one of nine plans to receive a Gold rating. Morningstar Research Services LLC, a leading provider of independent investment research, is a subsidiary of Morningstar Inc.
Read Morningstar’s 529 industry report.
Morningstar assessed 60 plans for the underlying investment quality and selection process, asset allocation methodology, investment team, state oversight and low fees. Analysts indicated that Gold-rated plans like my529 distinguish themselves from other plans through their investment option design, plan oversight and experienced investment teams.
Morningstar released a separate, Utah-focused analysis — available to subscribers only — that complimented my529’s robust, diversified investment offerings: 12 Target Enrollment Date investment option portfolios; 10 Static investment options; and two Customized investment options that allow investment-savvy account owners or their advisors to construct their own individualized approach.
Analysts praised the accomplished investment team, which, though small, competes well against larger peers. The team’s consistent efforts to evaluate and enhance the investment offerings continue to be lauded. The well-rounded background of the Utah Education Savings Board of Trustees provides measured, informed oversight, in addition to the expertise of advisors and consultants. Morningstar also noted my529’s recent fee reduction as another way of looking out for account owners.
“Families count on us to help them prepare for some of the most important investments they’ll make in their children’s futures,” said Mark M. Cain, my529 executive director. “This recognition reflects our team’s commitment to offering a thoughtfully managed, low-cost plan that gives account owners the tools and investment choices to save in a way that works for them.”
Established by the Utah Legislature in 1996, my529 ended its first year with 157 accounts and approximately $154,000 in assets under management. In 2026, the plan marked its 30th anniversary and surpassed $32 billion in assets under management and 684,000 accounts, reflecting decades of participation by families investing for education. Data as of November 9, 2026.
Together, these milestones reflect my529’s continued commitment to helping families start early, save consistently and prepare for their children’s educational journeys.
A Morningstar Analyst RatingTM for a 529 college savings plan is not a credit or risk rating.
Analyst ratings are subjective in nature and should not be used as the sole basis for investment decisions. Analyst ratings are based on Morningstar analysts’ current expectations about future events and therefore involve unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Morningstar’s expectations not to occur or to differ significantly from what was expected. Morningstar does not represent its analyst ratings to be guarantees.
Please visit Morningstar.com for more information about the analyst ratings, as well as other Morningstar ratings and fund rankings.
