Imagine a child has opened a letter from the college of their choice and they were accepted. Thoughts run through a parent’s mind of the costs associated with college. If finances are not in order, the next logical question is why wasn’t more saving set aside for this life changing event? The answer is the 529 savings plan.

The 529 savings plan is an account started by families in conjunction with state financial or educational establishments to assist in the saving of funds for college. Prior to enrolling into a 529 savings plan, a family should seek the advice of a plan manager or a financial advisor.

Types of plans

The 529 savings plan is broken down into two categories, the traditional savings plan and the prepaid plan. The savings plan is similar to an investment model. The funds are invested in mutual funds and can go up or down, depending on the options selected.

The prepaid 529 savings plan allows a family to pay some or the entire total amount to a participating in-state public college/university. Conversion rates will be applied to out-of-state and private institutions. The prepaid plan also offers anindependent 529 savings plan for private colleges.

Benefits

Why use a 529 savings plan? The benefits of the plan span farther than just saving for a child’s education. Federal tax benefits allow the contributor to grow their investment while the tax is deferred. State laws vary in regard to tax breaks, so check first.

The contributor is the sole proprietor of the funds in a 529 savings plan. All decisions such as date of withdrawals and the purpose are controlled by the contributor. Be cautious since the “non-qualified” withdrawal is subject to a 10% penalty tax.
There aren’t any limitations to the amount of money deposited into a 529 savings plan. States may have maximums, but the initial and subsequent amounts can adjust. There is also no age limit on the funds. The person going to college doesn’t have to be of traditional school age to participate.

Utilizing a 529 savings plan is an excellent way to pay for college. The benefits outweigh the risks. The contributors will see a lower risk and lower tax implications associated with the 529 savings plan. There are also more ownership and control verses a traditional savings plan.