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Q&A: A gift for the great-grandkids? Consider a 529 college savings plan

January 23, 2023 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: Recently my granddaughter gave birth to twins. I’d like to put $500 into a trust for each of them to mature when they are 18. I’m hesitant to set up an education fund in case they decide not to go on to college. I would like something that includes growth and safety, the least amount of cost and minimal tax consequences. Is there something you could recommend?

Answer: A trust would be overkill, given the relatively modest amount you have to contribute. Consider instead setting up 529 college savings plans, which provide the benefits you’re seeking, including some flexibility in how the money is spent.

The money you contribute can be invested to grow tax-deferred. Withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education expenses, which include costs at vocational and technical schools as well as colleges and universities. In addition, up to $10,000 per year can be used for private school tuition for kindergarten through 12th grade. If a beneficiary doesn’t use the money in their account, the balance can be transferred to another close relative. The account owner (you) also can withdraw the money at any time. You would pay taxes on any earnings plus a relatively modest 10% penalty.

Legislation passed at the end of last year offers another option: Money that’s not needed for education can be transferred to a Roth IRA, starting in 2024. After an account has been open at least 15 years, the beneficiary can start rolling money into a Roth. The amount rolled over can’t exceed the annual contribution limit (which in 2023 is $6,500), and the lifetime limit for rollovers is $35,000.

These plans are offered by the states and operated by various investment companies. You can learn more at the College Savings Plan Network.

Filed Under: Investing, Kids & Money, Q&A, Taxes Tagged With: 529, 529 college savings plan, College Savings

Q&A: This 529 college savings plan has a problem: no kids

July 22, 2019 By Liz Weston

Dear Liz: When I found out I could save for my future children by enrolling in a 529 college savings plan and not pay taxes on the growth, I started doing that three years ago. Since then I got married, and my wife decided to get an MBA. I have $41,000 saved away for my currently nonexistent children. Am I able to transfer that money to my wife and use it to pay for her MBA without getting penalties?

Answer: Yes.

The beneficiary of your 529 plan is not actually your unborn children, since you can’t open these plans for nonexistent kids. When you started the account and were asked for the beneficiary’s Social Security number, you probably provided your own.

That could have created a small problem down the road when you did have kids because changing the beneficiary to someone one generation removed — from parent to child, for example — is technically making a gift, and gifts in excess of $15,000 per recipient per year are supposed to be reported to the IRS using a gift tax return. Fortunately, you wouldn’t actually owe any gift tax until you’d given away several million dollars above that annual limit.

By contrast, changing the beneficiary to a family member in the same generation — from yourself to a spouse, for example — is not considered a gift and wouldn’t trigger the need to file a gift tax return.

Filed Under: College Savings, Q&A Tagged With: 529, 529 plan, College Savings, Taxes

Monday’s need-to-know money news

February 4, 2019 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: Hoping for a 529 tax deduction for K-12? Not so fast. Also in the news: 4 business credit card mistakes you can’t afford to make, the biggest financial mistakes women make, and one-size-fits-all financial advice.

Hoping for a 529 Tax Deduction for K-12? Not So Fast
The rules have changed.

4 Business Credit Card Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make
Take it easy with those cards.

The Biggest Financial Mistake Women Make
Narrowing the wage gap.

Follow This One-Size-Fits-All Financial Advice
Rules that everyone can follow.

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 529, advice, business credit cards, College Savings, mistakes, tax deduction, tips, women and money

Should you bail on your 529 plan?

December 5, 2013 By Liz Weston

Education savingsLong-time readers know I’m a big fan of using state-run 529 college plans to save for higher education expenses. (Remember the mantra: if you can save for college, you should!) Money in these plans grows tax-free when used for qualified college costs and doesn’t have much impact on financial aid (which is going to be mostly loans, anyway).

But the plans aren’t created equal–in fact, they’re so diverse it’s kind of daunting to track and compare them. Investment research firm Morningstar does just that, though, and every year creates a list of the best (and worst) plans. That list gives us 529 investors a chance to compare our plans against a gold standard and consider whether we need a change.

I’ve changed plans once, from California’s then-middling plan to Nevada’s top-rated one, and was surprised by how easy it was. (We still have some money in California’s plan, which is now higher in Morningstar’s ratings.) Some people are tied to their state’s plan by tax breaks or other incentives, but many aren’t. If you’re not happy with your plan, it’s time to consider a change.

You can read more about it in my Reuters column this week, “Is it time to switch 529 college savings plans?“

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 529, 529 college savings plans, 529 plans, college costs, College Savings, college tuition, costs of college, paying for college, Student Loans, tuition costs

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

November 20, 2013 By Liz Weston

Today’s top story: How to avoid charity scams. Also in the news: Money lessons from retirees, money-saving tips for travelers, and how a grandparents’ gift for college could ruin a student’s financial aid.

4 Ways to Avoid Charity Scams
Protecting your empathy from being preyed upon.

5 Financial Lessons from Retirees
Voices of experience.

3 Smart Money-Saving Tips For Your Travels
More money for souvenirs!

Grandparents’ 529 College Distributions Can Be a Ticking Time Bomb
A loving gesture which could ruin a student’s financial aid.

Laid Off? 5 Tips To Get Back On Your Feet
How not to become complacent during a layoff.

Filed Under: Liz's Books Tagged With: 529, charity scams, financial advice, financial aid, layoffs, Retirement, travel tips

Monday’s need-to-know money news

September 23, 2013 By Liz Weston

Zemanta Related Posts ThumbnailThe best college savings plan, why credit card companies want to take back your reward points, and the money lessons hidden in your favorite TV shows.

What’s best for college saving: ESA or 529?
Choosing the right college savings plan.

Five Ways Your Can Lose Your Credit Card Rewards
Credit card companies would love nothing more than to snatch your rewards back.

Tips to Negotiate Your Medical Bills
Carefully scrutinizing your medical bills could save you money.

Five Wealth-Building Tips Most People Overlook Five Wealth-Building Tips Most People Overlook
Looking for wealth in all the wrong places.

11 Money Lessons From Breaking Bad, Modern Family, And Other Emmy Favorites
What would Walter White do?

Filed Under: Liz's Blog Tagged With: 529, College Savings, credit card rewards, ESA, medical bills, wealth bui

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