Give a Gift

Start a 529 Plan to Pay for College

May 2008
Text Size T T
  • Comments
  • Print This Article
  • Order a Reprint
  • Advertisement

Here are the steps to complete one of the most important financial tasks for parents -- saving for a 529 plan.

Get a head start online. Find details on 118 state plans at www.savingforcollege.com, and see Kiplinger's favorites at kiplinger.com/tools/529.

Take a tax break. If your state offers a deduction or credit for contributing to its 529 plan (about two-thirds of the states do), invest your college money in-state.

Decide on a beneficiary. You can designate anyone, including your children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Save money. Choose a low-cost plan that you invest in directly rather than through a broker or adviser.

Make it easy. Choose an age-based portfolio that automatically adjusts investments as the child gets older.

NEXT: Lock in a Cheaper Mortgage



JUMP TO:



Finance

Credit

Retirement

Investing

FINANCIAL TOOLKIT MAIN PAGE


DISCUSS

Permission to post your comment is assumed when you submit it. The name you provide will be used to identify your post, and NOT your e-mail address. We reserve the right to excerpt or edit any posted comments for clarity, appropriateness, civility, and relevance to the topic.
View our full privacy policy



Featured Videos From Kiplinger





Connect With Kiplinger

E-mail Updates: Select the Kiplinger columns and topics to be delivered to your inbox.

email-sign-up

facebook
twitter
RSS