As college costs continue to rise, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for students to pay for it themselves. The total student loan debt in the United States has risen to a staggering $1.75 trillion. This has led many parents and grandparents to want to help carry a portion of their child’s or grandchild’s college debt. They shouldn’t jeopardize their own financial future by entering retirement with someone else’s student loan debt, though.
Even so, the number of adults over the age of 62 with student loan debt has reached a startling 2.4 million borrowers. If parents and grandparents plan on helping to pay for college, they need to plan ahead to stay debt-free in their golden years. There are many ways they can start planning now to help with college costs while still saving for their retirement.
529 plans offer tax advantages
529 plans are investment accounts that can be used to pay for education for a specific beneficiary. Choosing a 529 plan also comes with tax benefits. It will grow federal tax-free and will not be taxed when the money is taken out. It’s important to note that you can use a 529 plan from any state to help cover education expenses in any other state. However, depending on the state you live in, you may qualify for even more tax deductions with a 529 plan. There are seven states that provide a state income-tax break for any contributions to a 529 plan: Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana and Pennsylvania. There are no contribution limits for 529 plans, but there are limits for the tax deductions. These plans can be used for more than just college tuition.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
For example, they can help cover student loan repayments and college expenses such as books or meal plans. You can even use them to help pay for K-12 tuition costs. While a good option, 529 plans do come with a few disadvantages. If you are looking into financial aid for college, 529 plans can work against you. You can also run into higher fees with these plans. These downfalls could be why many are hesitant to use these plans for college.
Educational savings accounts are a little different than 529 plans
A Coverdell education savings account (ESA) is very similar to a 529 plan. The earnings in this account can grow tax-deferred, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for educational purposes, as they are in a 529 plan. However, the beneficiary will have to pay taxes on any distributions that exceed their qualified educational expenses. You can contribute only $2,000 per year, per beneficiary, so if you exceed that amount, the rest will be taxed. While very similar, there are a few differences between an ESA and a 529 plan. Contributors must earn less than $110,000 annually, they cannot contribute to the account after the child turns 18, and the money is automatically distributed when the beneficiary turns 30. An ESA may be a better option than a 529 plan if the contributor wants to give the account over to the beneficiary as they grow older.
Tax-free gifts are an easy way to go
Grandparents can also simply give cash directly to either the child or parents. To avoid the federal gift tax, you can make a tax-free cash gift of up to $16,000 per recipient in 2022. This means if you give away anything less than $16,000 to an individual, you and your beneficiary do not have to report that to the IRS. If you decide to go this route, make sure you discuss the exact tuition and any other college expenses with your grandchild or child, and then form a detailed plan on where exactly the money will go. This will help make sure that the money you are giving is going toward college expenses, such as tuition, rather than something else.
Help your family the smart way
No matter if you’re helping save for a family member’s college expenses or saving for retirement, consulting with a financial planner should be your first step. They can help you come up with the right plan for you to save for college, retirement and everything in between.
-
Crypto Trends to Watch in 2026Cryptocurrency is still less than 20 years old, but it remains a fast-moving (and also maturing) market. Here are the crypto trends to watch for in 2026.
-
Original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage Quiz: Which is Right for You?Quiz Take this quick quiz to discover your "Medicare Personality Type" and learn whether you are a Traditionalist, or a Bundler.
-
Ask the Editor: Capital Gains and Tax PlanningAsk the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, Joy Taylor answers questions on capital gains tax rates and end-of-year tax planning
-
Time Is Running Out to Make the Best Moves to Save on Your 2025 TaxesDon't wait until January — investors, including those with a high net worth, can snag big tax savings for 2025 (and 2026) with these strategies.
-
4 Smart Ways Retirees Can Give More to Charity, From a Financial AdviserFor retirees, tax efficiency and charitable giving should go hand in hand. After all, why not maximize your gifts and minimize the amount that goes to the IRS?
-
I'm an Insurance Pro: If You Do One Boring Task Before the End of the Year, Make It This One (It Could Save You Thousands)Who wants to check insurance policies when there's fun to be had? Still, making sure everything is up to date (coverage and deductibles) can save you a ton.
-
3 Year-End Tax Strategies for Retirees With $2 Million to $10 MillionTo avoid the OBBB messing up your whole tax strategy, get your Roth conversions and charitable bunching done by year's end.
-
'Politics' Is a Dirty Word for Some Financial Advisers: 3 Reasons This Financial Planner Vehemently DisagreesYour financial plan should be aligned with your values and your politics. If your adviser refuses to talk about them, it's time to go elsewhere.
-
For a Move Abroad, Choosing a Fiduciary Financial Planner Who Sees Both Sides of the Border Is CriticalWorking with a cross-border financial planner is essential to integrate tax, estate and visa considerations and avoid costly, unexpected liabilities.
-
I'm a Financial Adviser: This Tax Trap Costs High Earners Thousands Each YearMutual funds in taxable accounts can quietly erode your returns. More efficient tools, such as ETFs and direct indexing, can help improve after-tax returns.
-
A Financial Adviser's Guide to Divorce Finalization: Tying Up the Loose EndsAfter signing the divorce agreement, you'll need to tackle the administrative work that will allow you to start over.
