1.
529 distributions for qualified education expenses are generally federal income tax free. 529 assets may be used to pay for (i) qualified higher education expenses, (ii) qualified expenses for registered apprenticeship programs, (iii) up to $10,000 per taxable year per beneficiary for tuition expenses ($20,000 for expenses beginning in taxable years after December 31, 2025) in connection with enrollment at a public, private, and religious elementary and secondary educational institution. Although such assets may come from multiple 529 accounts, the $10,000 qualified withdrawal ($20,000 beginning in taxable years after December 31, 2025) limit will be aggregated on a per beneficiary basis. The IRS has not provided guidance to date on the methodology of allocating the $10,000 annual maximum ($20,000 beginning in taxable years after December 31, 2025) among withdrawals from different 529 accounts, (iv) amounts paid as principal or interest on any qualified education loan of a 529 plan designated beneficiary or a sibling of the designated beneficiary. The amount treated as a qualified expense is subject to a lifetime limit of $10,000 per individual. Although the assets may come from multiple 529 accounts, the $10,000 withdrawal limit for qualified educational loans payments will be aggregated on a per individual basis. The IRS has not provided guidance to date on the methodology of allocating the $10,000 annual maximum among withdrawals from different 529 accounts, and (v) tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for the enrollment or attendance in a recognized postsecondary credential program as defined under Section 529 of the Code and identified by the Secretary of the Treasury as being such a reputable program.
Any earnings on distributions not used for qualified higher educational expenses or that exceed distribution limits may be taxed as ordinary income and may be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty. Some states do not conform with federal tax law. Please check with your home state to determine if it recognizes the expanded 529 benefits afforded under federal tax law, including distributions for elementary and secondary education expenses, apprenticeship programs, postsecondary credentialing programs, and student loan repayments. You may want to consult with a tax professional before investing or making distributions.
2.
You will earn 2 Points per dollar in eligible net purchases (net purchases are purchases minus credits and returns) that you charge. Account must be open and in good standing to earn and redeem rewards and benefits. Upon approval, refer to your Program Rules for additional information. Subject to applicable law, you may not redeem Reward Points, and you will immediately lose all of your Reward Points, if your Account is closed to future transactions (including, but not limited to, due to Program misuse, failure to pay, bankruptcy, or death). Reward Points will not expire as long as your Account remains open. Certain transactions are not eligible for Reward Points, including Advances (as defined in the Agreement, including wire transfers, travelers checks, money orders, foreign cash transactions, betting transactions, lottery tickets and ATM disbursements), convenience checks, balance transfers, unauthorized or fraudulent charges, overdraft advances, interest charges, fees, credit insurance charges, transactions to fund certain prepaid card products, U.S. Mint purchases, or transactions to purchase cash convertible items. The 2% cash back rewards value applies only to Points redeemed for a deposit into an eligible Fidelity® account. The redemption value is different if you choose to redeem your Points for other rewards such as travel options, merchandise, gift cards, and/or statement credit. Other restrictions apply. Full details appear in the Program Rules new card customers receive with their card. Establishment or ownership of a Fidelity® account or other relationship with Fidelity Investments® is not required to obtain a card or to be eligible to use Points to obtain any rewards offered under the program other than Fidelity Rewards.
The creditor and issuer of this card is Elan Financial Services, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc.
3.
November 2025, Morningstar assigned analyst ratings to 59 plans, which represent more than 90% of assets invested in 529 plans. Morningstar identified 31 best-in-class plans, assigning these programs a Morningstar Medalist Ratings of Gold, Silver or Bronze. November 2024, Morningstar assigned analyst ratings to 59 plans, which represent more than 90% of assets invested in 529 plans. Morningstar identified 32 best-in-class plans, assigning these programs a Morningstar Medalist Ratings of Gold, Silver or Bronze. November 2023, Morningstar assigned analyst ratings to 54 plans, which represent more than 90% of assets invested in 529 plans. Morningstar identified 34 best-in-class plans, assigning these programs a Morningstar Medalist Ratings of Gold, Silver or Bronze. The Medalist Rating uses a scale of Gold (highest), Silver, Bronze, Neutral, and Negative (lowest). Plans were rated across four key pillars: People, Process, Price and Parent. For the full rating methodology, click here: 2023; 2024; 2025.
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4. Contributions no longer can be made once the total value of all accounts for the same beneficiary in any DE529 Education Savings Plan meet the account maximum.
The First Steps Program is sponsored by the DE529 Plan, was approved by the Plans Management Board (the "Board"), whose members serve as Trustees of the Delaware College Investment Plan Trust (the "Trust"), and is administered by the Delaware Office of the State Treasurer ("OST").
Although the underlying deposits are eligible for FDIC insurance, subject to applicable federal deposit insurance limits, the units of the Bank Deposit Portfolio are not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. You are responsible for monitoring the total amount of your assets on deposit at the depository bank, including amounts held directly at the depository bank. All such deposits held in the same ownership capacity at the depository bank are subject to aggregation and to the current FDIC insurance coverage limitation of $250,000. Please see your 529 Fact Kit for more details.
The DE529 Education Savings Plan is offered by the state of Delaware and managed by Fidelity Investments. If you or the designated beneficiary is not a Delaware resident, you may want to consider, before investing, whether your state or the beneficiary's home state offers its residents a plan with alternate state tax advantages or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds and protection from creditors.
Units of the portfolios are municipal securities and may be subject to market volatility and fluctuation.
Please carefully consider the plan's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For this and other information on any 529 college savings plan managed by Fidelity, contact Fidelity for a free Fact Kit, or view one online. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.
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