Simple, transparent pricing
We've got a plan for every family — with simple, transparent pricing, no matter how much you save.
One kid
$2.99
/month
Perfect for families with one kid. Includes a $1,000 boost and no contribution fees.
Your boost
$1,000
🚀
What's included?
One Backer fund
Top-rated 529 plan
8%+ projected growth
Tax-free investment returns
Automated contributions
Easy-to-share fund link
No contribution fees
Free gifting
Priority customer support
+$1,000 savings advance
Multiple kids
$5.99
/month
Great for bigger families with up to 5 kids. Includes a $1,000 boost for each kid and no contribution fees.
Your boost
$1,000
🚀
What's included?
Up to five Backer funds
Top-rated 529 plan
8%+ projected growth
Tax-free investment returns
Automated contributions
Easy-to-share fund link
No contribution fees
Free gifting
Priority customer support
+$1,000 savings advance for each kid
Want to see how much you can save? Play with our savings calculator. 👇
Savings calculator
Play with the numbers to watch your projected savings stack up.
Your monthly savings goal
$50
Annual contributions from family and friends
$750
Your kid's age
Your boost
Your contributions
$11,800
Family & friends
$13,500
Investment gains
$32,910
Your projected savings in 18 years
$58,210
$58,210
Your projected savings
in 18 years
Your contributions
$11,800
Family & friends
$13,500
Investment gains
$32,910
$58,210
Your projected savings
in 18 years
We want to make sure your money is going where it really matters: your kid's education fund.
That's why you'll only ever pay a simple, transparent fee — no matter how much you save.
Every Backer plan includes:
Tax-free investing
A gold-rated 529 plan
Grow your savings tax-free with projected growth of 8% per year
Easy setup
Set up your 529 in 5 minutes - no expensive financial advisor
Curated investment plans
We'll suggest a plan that matches your goals and saving style
Save together
Free gifting
Family and friends can add money to your fund at no additional charge
Easy-to-share fund link
Create a customized fund page that will inspire your backers
Milestone reminders
Send your backers reminders of special days through the year
Easy to save
Automated saving
Set up automated monthly contributions or add funds any time
A savings app
Manage your funds at backer.com or with our iOS and Android apps
Fund dashboard
Track your fund's growth and see your projected savings
Security you can trust
When you're saving for the future, you need to know that your money is safe. Your fund's security is our top priority.
Have questions about it? Contact us.
SEC-registered
As an SEC-registered investment adviser, it's our duty to safeguard your money and personal information.
Serious security
We use the strongest available browser encryption and secure servers monitored 24/7/365.
State-sponsored
Your 529 investments are managed in a government-sponsored account that you can access at any time.
Give a great kid a better future
5% of your Backer membership fee goes towards helping a family in need send their kid to college.
Learn more
See why families love saving with Backer
Backer families save more when they save together.
We really needed to start saving for our baby. I love that family members can make contributions. Instead of giving the baby gifts or monetary gifts they can just make a contribution towards their college fund. It makes me feel comfortable knowing we are saving for his future.
@andrea_mrllo
Why should I use Backer?
Backer is the easiest way to save for college with help from family and friends. We'll help you invest your savings tax-free with a 529 Savings Plan, a government-sponsored account that works like a retirement account for your kid's education. All the experts agree: a 529 plan is the smart way to avoid future student debt.
With Backer, it's quick and easy to involve family and friends. These “backers” can contribute to your kid's education fund and stay involved as your child gets closer to college. Our most active customers save 4x more by building a team of backers for their kids.
How exactly does boosting my fund work?
Yout'll be able to boost your fund by $1,000. We'll invest that amount for you upfront. You'll be able to see the boost and track its growth in your fund dashboard.
Your monthly contributions will pay back the boost — so technically yout'll contribute the same amount — but a larger upfront investment could grow a lot more thanks to the power of compound growth.
Yout'll want to aim to pay off your boost within a year, so choose a monthly contribution that will get you there. And you can always add additional contributions to pay it off sooner.
It's not a loan, and you're not locked in if you change your mind about how much you can contribute each month. It's just our way of helping you get a jump on the process and maximize your returns early on.
What are backers and how do I invite them?
Anyone who wants to help you save can join your fund as a backer. We see lots of grandparents, uncles/aunts, and even family friends or the child's mentors at school and through other activities.
Yout'll be able to send them an invitation or share your fund link directly with anyone who wants to help you save.
What if I decide Backer is not for me?
We'll be sad to lose you, but you'll be able to keep the 529 plan we helped you open or we'll help you roll it over to another provider. If you leave Backer, you will lose the ability to access and manage your 529 plan via our website and mobile apps, as well as the fund page where your backers can help you save, your Backer contribution history, and all of our other features. We'll welcome any feedback you have for how we can improve and will always welcome you back if you change your mind.
Have more questions? Get in touch.
Give Backer a try
Get a head start on college costs for a kid you love by saving together, tax-free.
Try it out