A 529 savings plan is generally a state sponsored savings plan that is for the most part a tax free way to save for your kids college costs. It acts like an IRA, where the money is invested in numerous investment vehicles, funds, money market, bonds, ect. mainly of your choice depending on the plan you wanted. You can make annual large cash deposits without getting hit with taxes, and the tax rules for withdrawl to pay for college costs is I believe tax free as well. So you are not getting hit with any capital gains or dividend tax.
As with anything tax, I am not 100% sure, its pretty detailed, but it is the best way to save for a childs education in my opinion.
I dont know if they were around when I was growing up, but I sure didn't have one, but its a good idea if you have young kids, because tuition is constantly rising. Boston College at 8% a year since I have been there, pushing it over 46k! I can't imagine 10 years from now, or when I have kids!!
Tim
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