529 Plan

  • Summer Break

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    By: Hon. Michael L. Fitzgerald
    State Treasurer, State of Iowa
    June 15, 2015

    Just because your kids are on summer break doesn’t mean their college savings has to be as well. For many, summers are filled with carpooling to baseball games, backyard BBQs and trips to the pool.  Let your kids enjoy their time away from the classroom while continuing to bolster their college savings.

    •    If you haven’t done so already, consider using an automatic investment plan (AIP). Saving with AIP allows you to set up automatic contributions on a regular basis by connecting your financial institution account to your 529 plan. This allows you to make saving a part of your routine without taking time out of your day each month. If you already use AIP, consider increasing the amount you contribute.  Even a few extra dollars a month could mean big savings when it comes time to write that first college check. You and your kids may be taking a break this summer, but your account will not!

  • It’s Graduation Season Again

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    By Paul Paeglis Executive Director, Ohio Tuition Trust Authority/CollegeAdvantage 529 June 8, 2015 Graduation season is the time of year when families and friends come together to celebrate accomplishments of […]

  • 529 Plan Advantages & Benefits

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    529 plans are designed to encourage early and consistent savings by offering an easy, affordable and convenient way for families to save for college. While the tax advantages are one […]

  • what is a 529 Plan?

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    529 Basics

    A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged investment plan designed to encourage saving for the future higher education expenses of a designated beneficiary (typically one’s child or grandchild). The plans are named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code and are administered by state agencies and organizations.

  • Cousin’s Legacy Lives on Through Investments in Children’s Futures

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    By Ryan Betz
    Associate Director of Marketing & Communications with Washington State’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program
    June 1, 2015

    Fifteen years ago my cousin Michael passed away after a tragic airline accident. He was only 30 years old and had a bright future ahead of him. Over the years following my cousin’s death, my aunt and uncle searched for ways to honor Michael’s life. One of the ways they chose to recognize Michael’s contributions to the world was by establishing a 529 college savings account for both my daughter and my son. My aunt and uncle believed education was the one way Michael’s legacy could be carried on by giving my children the opportunity to follow their dreams and aspirations through a college education.

    My aunt and uncle’s choice to celebrate Michael’s life through a 529 plan contribution was not based on maximizing investment returns in order to make a lot of money; it was a much deeper and meaningful decision. They simply wanted to ensure all the amazing experiences that were afforded to Michael because of his education were passed along to the next generation of our family. In fact, I remember Michael’s college graduation pretty vividly since it was the first I had ever attended. I recall thinking at the time, how cool it was that he achieved such a high level of education. That memory was left engraved in my mind and was something I circled back to when I needed a little motivation with my own studies.

  • It’s 5/29, Are you Saving for College?

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    Patricia Roberts
    Managing Director, AllianceBernstein L.P. & Chair, College Savings Plans Network Corporate Affiliates Committee
    May 26, 2015
    Across the country as the clock strikes 5:29 a.m. and p.m. each day, if you’re listening to the radio, you may hear a Public Service Announcement that begins by posing a timely and important question: “It’s 5:29, are you saving for college?” In an informative and encouraging manner, the PSA, playing on hundreds of stations across the country, seeks to educate listeners about what 529 college savings plans are and how these plans can play a valuable role in helping families prepare for higher education expenses.

  • Statement from College Savings Plans Network on Passage of H.R. 529

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    WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 25, 2015) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 529, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) that would make 529 plans more flexible by making computers an eligible education expense; allowing the redeposit of college refunds without negative tax implications in certain circumstances and updating outdated accounting rules.

  • Join Us in Asking Congress to Pass H.R. 529

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    Betty Lochner
    Chair of the College Savings Plans Network and Director of Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program
    February 19, 2015

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    This is a very exciting time in the College Savings world as legislation to enhance 529 savings plans has legs in Congress. In fact, H.R. 529 will likely be taken up for vote in the U.S. House of Representatives sometime next week and we want to do everything in our power to ensure that it is passed. We have mobilized our members representing 49 states with 529 Savings Plans to advocate with their Representatives to pass this proposed legislation.

  • Legislation to Enhance 529 College Savings Plans

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    Betty Lochner
    Chair of the College Savings Plans Network (CSPN) and Director of Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program
    February 4, 2015
    boywithcomputer
    Last week Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) introduced H.R.529, legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would make 529 plans more flexible and remove some of the obstacles participants face while saving for college.

  • Prepare for the Inaugural CSPN 529 Prepaid Conference

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    By Paul Curley, CFA
    Director of College Savings Research, Strategic Insight
    November 10, 2014

    On November 14, the inaugural CSPN Prepaid Tuition Conference 2014 will be held at the Innevation Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Leveraging the technology within the space, Live Stream of the event will also be available.