529 College Savings Plan

Paying for your child's college education may seem overwhelming, especially with rising costs. A 529 plan may help provide a tax efficient way to invest for their future.

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529 College Savings Plan

Why Choose a 529 College Savings Plan?

These college savings plans are named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, a type of college savings account with a special tax structure. Here is how it works:

Fund the account with after-tax contributions: You can not take a federal tax deduction on those contributions.

Investment grows tax-deferred: You don't pay taxes on funds withdrawn from the account as long as they're used for what the government considers qualified education expenses, which include:

College tuition
Books
Fees
Supplies
Equipment
Room and board

Benefits of a 529 Plan

Federal Tax Savings

The post-tax investment grows tax-deferred, and no taxes due when used for qualified educational expenses. Penalties and taxes apply to any unqualified withdrawals.

State Tax Savings

While there's no federal tax deduction for investing in the plan, some states offer residents a state income tax deduction. This gives you an additional tax benefit and financial incentive to invest in the state's plan.

Account Transfers

The account owner is the person who opened the account, and that person names the beneficiary. The owner can change the beneficiary. If one child doesn't need all the money for college, the account can be used for another family member.

The Donor Controls the Account

Although the funds are intended for a third party's college expenses, you as the owner make the actual withdrawals and direct the money toward the right expenses.

Others Can Contribute

If another person or group wants to help you save for college, they can contribute to the same account or start their own.

Types of 529 Plans

Prepaid Tuition Plan

A prepaid tuition plan lets the account holder purchase credits or units at a specific participating college.

You pay a percentage of tuition or the value of the credits at today's prices. When it's time for college, you can apply the plan funds without worrying about economic factors.
This plan only covers tuition costs. If your child doesn't attend that particular school, you may be able to use some or all of the funds at another college or university.

Education Savings Plan

The more common plan type is the education savings plan.

This approach is more flexible. You're saving money that can be used at any university or college, and then can be applied to all qualified education expenses.
The penalty and taxes for unqualified expenses apply to education savings plans.

How to Open a 529 Plan

You can invest in a 529 plan through a Western & Southern registered representative. Registered representatives can provide you with informed recommendations to help choose the best plan for you, especially as a part of your family's larger financial strategy.

Learn How a 529 College Savings Plan Can Help Fund Higher Education

College education costs continue to rise, but we can help you get ahead of the wave with a 529 college savings plan. Take a minute to learn some key facts about saving for college so you can plan effectively for your child’s success in life.

Father helping daughter pack for college

Why Start Saving for College Now?

According to the College Board, the average published prices for tuition, fees and room and board for four-year undergraduate colleges and universities (with estimated room and board) during 2024-25 are:

$24,920 for in-state public schools
$44,090 for out-of-state public schools
$58,600 for private non-profit schools

These are not small sums of money. In fact, these 2024-25 costs reflect tuition and fees increases of 2.7% (for in-state public schools), 3.2% (for out-of-state public schools) and 3.9% (for private non-profit schools) compared to 2023-24.¹

How Much Do You Need to Save for College?

Your children are growing up fast. Are you financially prepared to help them pay for college?

College Savings Calculator

Common 529 Plan Questions

Anyone — parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends — can open an account. You even can set one up for yourself to finish or pursue your own undergraduate or graduate degree.

The account owner and other relatives and friends may as well. And as the account holder, you remain in control of the investment. Beneficiaries cannot independently access this money on their own.

There is no annual contribution limit for 529 plans. However, you may incur gift taxes if you exceed a certain amount. 529 plans do have maximum accumulation limits, which vary by state, but some are more than $300,000.

Different plans have different fees, which might include an application or enrollment fee, ongoing administrative fee, asset management fee, or brokerage fee. These fees may be collected by the plan itself, the state sponsor of the plan, or both

Each state offers a 529 plan. You can view a full breakdown from College Savings Plans Network. You may receive tax advantages if you're a resident of that state. The plan may allow in-state residents to deduct some or all of their contributions from their state income tax. You can sometimes invest in another state's plan, though you would not get the tax benefits from that state.

A 529 plan is an investment, meaning it comes with risk. A plan's investment options include mutual funds, which are not guaranteed to increase in value. Depending on market fluctuations can lose value. That's why it's important to pick an investment fund with a risk level you can tolerate. Some funds are more aggressive than others, and your risk tolerance can change as your child gets closer to withdrawing the money. Some plans include age-based accounts, which adjust the risk depending on the date the funds will be needed.

If you make a distribution from your 529 plan that does not meet the criteria for qualified educational expenses, you may be required to pay income tax as well as a 10% early-distribution penalty on the investment gains.

Learn More About 529 Plans

What Is a 529 College Savings Plan?

Who Can Contribute to a 529 Plan?

What Are 529 Plan Qualified Expenses?

What Can You Do With Unused 529 Funds?

Does a 529 Plan Affect Financial Aid?

Using a 529 College Savings Plan to Study Abroad

How Grandparents Can Contribute to 529 Plans

529 Plan Myths: 6 Common Misconceptions Debunked

How to Save for College

How to Pay for College

Why Western & Southern?

As you consider investing in a 529 college savings plan, you may want to partner with a company you already know. Besides offering life insurance and retirement solutions, Western & Southern could help you with saving for college, too. Working with us means you can get everything you need all in one place and straightforward answers from experienced financial representatives.

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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

¹ Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2024. https://research.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/Trends-in-College-Pricing-and-Student-Aid-2024-ADA.pdf

Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in a 529 savings plan. This and other important information is contained in the Issuers Program Description which can be obtained from a financial professional. The Program Description should be read carefully before investing.

Securities offered through W&S Brokerage Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. W&S Brokerage Services, Inc. is a member of Western & Southern Financial Group.