529 Plans
What You Need to Know about College 529 Savings Plans
What You Need to Know about College 529 Savings Plans
Do you know how much you’re able to contribute or what the funds could be used to pay for? How about how contributing affects your taxes? Check out th…
April 14, 2021
When Choosing Funds for Your College 529 Plan, Don’t Make This Mistake
When Choosing Funds for Your College 529 Plan, Don’t Make This Mistake
Age-based funds make sense for some retirement savers, but they rarely make sense for college savers, in my opinion. Here’s why. This article is part …
March 13, 2021
The Coronavirus-Caused 529 Plan Tax Risk You Can't Ignore
The Coronavirus-Caused 529 Plan Tax Risk You Can't Ignore
With the coronavirus canceling college classes, you could be due a refund. But if you used 529 plan withdrawals to pay for tuition or room and board, …
April 8, 2020
How to Use a Grandparent’s 529 Account to Reimburse College Expenses
How to Use a Grandparent’s 529 Account to Reimburse College Expenses
Through timely withdrawals and good recordkeeping, a grandparent’s 529 college-savings plan can help families recoup money spent on college.
July 23, 2019
Raid the College Fund to Pay for K-12 Tuition?
Raid the College Fund to Pay for K-12 Tuition?
Before you start using your 529 plan to pay private-school tuition, check with your state’s plan.
July 3, 2019
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Saving for College: Are 529 Plans Worth It?
Saving for College: Are 529 Plans Worth It?
That's just one question to ask. But there are some other, more pressing, questions to ask first, including am I making a huge retirement mistake by h…
May 28, 2019
529 Plans Aren’t Just for Kids
529 Plans Aren’t Just for Kids
You don’t have to be college-age to use the money tax-free, but there are stipulations.
May 9, 2019
The Best College Savings Strategy to Use
The Best College Savings Strategy to Use
A 529 college savings plan comes with many advantages, and the best way to harness its power is to start ASAP and front-load your contributions.
April 5, 2019
Paying for Continuing Education With a 529 Plan
Paying for Continuing Education With a 529 Plan
You don’t have to pursue a college degree to be able to use tax-free money from a 529 college-savings plan to pay for classes.
March 13, 2019
Using a 529 Plan for High School
Using a 529 Plan for High School
You’re now able to withdraw up to $10,000 tax-free from a 529 plan each year for K-12 tuition.
March 7, 2019
How a Move Can Change Your 529 Plan Tax Deduction
How a Move Can Change Your 529 Plan Tax Deduction
The tax deduction you get for contributing to your state’s 529 plan can disappear if you move to another state.
February 26, 2019
Using 529-Plan Money for College Overseas
Using 529-Plan Money for College Overseas
If your son or daughter plans to attend college abroad, here's what you should know.
December 12, 2018
How a Grandparent's Help With College Tuition Affects Financial Aid
How a Grandparent's Help With College Tuition Affects Financial Aid
Before cutting a check for a grandchild's college tuition, make sure you review the impact it can have on the student's financial aid.
September 7, 2018
Using a 529 Plan to Pay for Private School
Using a 529 Plan to Pay for Private School
Q. Can I use money in my daughter’s 529 college-savings plan to pay her private elementary school tuition?
August 2, 2018
How to Use a 529 Plan When Your Child Wins a Scholarship
How to Use a 529 Plan When Your Child Wins a Scholarship
Even if your child wins a full scholarship, you can use money from a 529 college-savings plan for things other than tuition without triggering taxes o…
July 31, 2018
What to Do With a 529 Plan When a Child Doesn't Go to College
What to Do With a 529 Plan When a Child Doesn't Go to College
Families can avoid taxes and a penalty on a 529 college-savings plan when a child develops a disability and likely won’t be using the money for colleg…
June 22, 2018
How a Grandparent's 529 Account Affects College Financial Aid
How a Grandparent's 529 Account Affects College Financial Aid
Distributions from a grandparent-owned 529 savings plan could reduce a grandchild's financial aid. But using one of these strategies can limit the imp…
May 9, 2018
Shopping for a 529 Plan for a Grandchild
Shopping for a 529 Plan for a Grandchild
When searching for a 529 college-savings plan for a grandchild, first check whether your state offers a tax break for your contributions.
April 17, 2018
What to Do With Leftover Money in a 529 College-Savings Plan
What to Do With Leftover Money in a 529 College-Savings Plan
There's no time limit for spending money in a 529 college-savings plan, so leftover dollars in an account can be used by other family members now or b…
March 2, 2018
529 Savings Plans Have More Uses -- But States Need to Catch Up
529 Savings Plans Have More Uses -- But States Need to Catch Up
The new federal tax law allows families to use 529 college plans to pay tuition for kindergarten through high school. But doing so before state laws a…
February 7, 2018
2018 Could Be Grandparents' Year to Pump $150,000 into 529 Plans
2018 Could Be Grandparents' Year to Pump $150,000 into 529 Plans
Parents can now use 529 college savings plans to pay for K-12 private school tuition. That could give grandparents added incentive to be extra generou…
January 25, 2018
College-Savings Plans Make It Easy to Give a Child the Gift of Tuition
College-Savings Plans Make It Easy to Give a Child the Gift of Tuition
Relatives can contribute to a child's 529 college-savings plan, and in many cases they can get a tax deduction on their gift.
December 1, 2017
The Best College Savings Plans, 2017
The Best College Savings Plans, 2017
These state-sponsored 529 programs offer tax breaks, low fees and well-managed portfolios.
October 20, 2017
A Deeper Dive into 529 College Plans
A Deeper Dive into 529 College Plans
If you're confused about the difference between 529 college savings plans and prepaid tuition plans and all their ins and outs, you're not alone. But …
August 25, 2017
Quiz: How Well Do You Know 529 College Plans?
Quiz: How Well Do You Know 529 College Plans?
Do you know which kind of savings plan has no market risk? Do you know whether you'd lose money if your child didn't go to college? How about the rule…
August 2, 2017