Education savings plan known as 529 is one of Top ways families can save or Increasingly expensive college degrees –But many Americans still don’t know much about them.
Only 34% of American adults correctly identified the plan as an educational savings tool. New 529 Survey by Edward Jones.This is the lowest percentage since the annual survey 45% in 2020.
With 529 Days just around the corner on May 29th, advisors have a great time to talk with their clients about whether the plan makes sense for them and how to best use it. Each state sponsoring the program will celebrate this hoaxed occasion. Various initiatives aimed at promoting savings Higher education is usually one of the biggest expenses for families. Edward Jones also plans to recognize the day as “Save for Education Day” in branches nationwide.
“The economic challenges we face today, such as rising interest rates and inflation, are causing many people to shift from saving for long-term goals to having enough money to meet their daily expenses. We’re changing our priorities,” said Steve Luschhoff, a principal at Edwards University. Jones, who heads Managed Investment & Insurance, said of the new findings: He added he didn’t know the exact reason for the decline in awareness, but other solid research suggests that Americans are more interested in enrolling the 529 after learning of the plan’s many benefits. It is said that it became like this.
American college tuition is soaring Estimated annual rate of 7%and the American pay more dollars out of pocket For children’s education than ten years ago.average college expenses around here in america $35,551 per student per year, covers tuition, books, supplies and living expenses. Elite private institutions may charge twice that amount.
Whether tuition is expensive or not, failing to save upfront can be a costly mistake. A 529 plan can play a big role in avoiding that mistake.
a 529 planalso known as Eligible Tuition Plan, is a type of tax-advantaged investment account sponsored by a state or state agency or representative. It allows an investor to invest dollars in a plan and use that compounded value to pay for the beneficiary’s qualifying educational expenses, such as college tuition and books, to the designated beneficiary (usually an investor). You can save for the future education expenses of your children at home. .
Contributions to 529 are not deductible for federal purposes, but qualifying withdrawals for tuition are tax-free.some states Allow state tax deductionsColorado, New Mexico, South Carolina, and West Virginia allow 100% deductions for donations, according to the Education Data Initiative.
read more: Ask your advisor. I have no children yet. Can I still save money for my education?
By starting early and relying on investments that compound over time, you can grow your account significantly over the years through regular contributions. There is no annual contribution limit for this plan. Lifetime contribution limits for beneficiaries vary by state, Range from $235,000 to $569,123.
there were Over 16 million 529 plans By the end of 2022, that number had increased more than 50% from 10.1 million in 2009, according to the College Savings Planning Network, an affiliate of the National Association of State Treasurers.the number is new record highsaid the network, which represents $411 billion in total assets.
“We see this as an important opportunity for financial advisors to initiate these conversations with their clients, especially now that we are in the middle of graduation season and a new school year is approaching,” said Lyszhov. .
There are more and more reasons to make the most of the 529 in recent legislation. Preparing Every Community for the Second Retirement ActKnown as SECURE 2.0, Americans will be able to convert in 2024 Unspent 529 Money to Roth IRA Up to $35,000 for life for beneficiaries. Ross’ plans are funded in after-tax dollars and withdrawals are tax-free.
read more: Do you have money left over from your college savings plan?Hello Ross from Duty Free
529 Accounts must have been open for at least 15 years before being rolled into a Roth IRA. Contributions and growth from the past five years cannot be transferred and annual contributions to the Roth IRA will be: Subject to normal IRA contribution limits of that year.
If the $529 is used for non-educational expenses, the account holder is obligated to pay federal and state taxes plus a 10% penalty on the earnings withdrawn. In the past, if a saver was left with money in their account because their kids didn’t go to college, the only way to withdraw that money was to pay taxes.
Financial Planning spoke with several advisors about common challenges they see in helping clients with 529 plans. Here are 5 of them and some tips for dealing with them.
