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This October marks 30 years of Commonwealth Savers, an agency shaped by three decades of commitment to helping people prepare for life’s most important milestones.

Known over the years as Virginia Higher Education Tuition Trust Fund, the Virginia College Savings Plan and Virginia529, the organization has maintained a clear guiding principle: expanding financial opportunities for families to plan with confidence.

A Strong Foundation in Education Savings

Launched in 1996, Virginia’s legacy prepaid tuition program set the stage for a statewide effort to make higher education more accessible. That foundation has since grown into a set of education savings options—Invest529 and CollegeAmerica—supporting millions of people and families as they prepare for future degrees, apprenticeships and professional credentials. Today, nearly one in five Virginia children holds a Virginia‑sponsored 529 account, underscoring the broad impact of these programs.

Programs That Support Families Across Life Stages

Over the years, Commonwealth Savers has continued to expand access to financial tools that strengthen long-term stability.

• Disability savings options—ABLEnow and ABLEAmerica—offer meaningful pathways for individuals with disabilities to save for expenses, enhancing independence without jeopardizing certain means-tested benefits.
• RetirePath Virginia extends access even further by providing private‑sector workers without access to an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan with a simple way to begin saving for retirement.
• SOAR Virginia advances education access by partnering with organizations to provide advising, career exploration, college‑readiness support and scholarships, reaching approximately 70,000 Virginia students each year.  

Commonwealth Savers’ 30‑year anniversary highlights the lasting influence of education, disability and retirement savings programs across the Commonwealth of Virginia and beyond. The work continues with a focus on expanding access and supporting financial well‑being—ensuring that families have reliable tools to build stronger futures.