说到为孩子的教育存钱, 529帐户通常未得到充分利用, even though they could be a beneficial way to pay for higher education expenses. A recent report published by Morningstar found that only 16 percent of households with young children are using these type of plans. 晨星公司的报告, 由行为科学系主任撰写, 斯蒂芬·温德尔, estimates that: American families are leaving more than $237 billion on the table by not investing their college savings in 529s.

部分错失的机会, 正如报道中解释的那样, 是由于这些计划提供的税收优惠吗. But the bulk of this estimate is derived from the missed opportunity of investing in markets. 不仅是家庭没有利用529账户, they are putting the money in savings accounts earning low interest rates.

If you take an 18-year old senior in high school today; he or she was born in the year 2000. During this child’s lifetime, the stock market has experienced two significant down markets. 但即使考虑到这一点, there is a tremendous difference between the account balances of a cash savings account, 一个是已经投资的. This example assumes that a family saved $100 per month from birth in January 2000 to September 2018. 储蓄现金和60/40投资组合的区别, 哪一种通常被认为是“平衡”的分配, 差不多是24美元,000. That could pay for an entire year of tuition plus room and board at many public in-state universities! Please note that past results do not guarantee future returns but do show an interesting comparison.

换句话说, 通过不参加529计划来为大学储蓄, families may not be taking advantage of the options available to meet their objectives. Here is a general overview on the benefits and misconceptions about 529 plans.

When funds from a 529 plans are withdrawn for qualified education expenses, 这些美元是免税提取的. 也, 因为这些都是国营计划, some states allow a small state income tax deduction for contributions (not applicable in Washington). Earnings also grow tax-deferred, which allows for more compounding growth.

A 529 savings plan can be used to fund qualified education expenses at most colleges and universities whether it be a public or private institution. There are even some foreign colleges and universities that are eligible.

你不需要在你居住的州开立529账户. Since each state runs their own plan, there are different investment options available. 你可以自由选择最适合你目标的计划.

2017年的税收法案现在还允许529次提款，最高10美元,000 per year to pay for private K-12 tuition (check with your tax adviser for your individual situation).

The caveat with these plans is that you must use the funds to pay for qualified education expenses, otherwise withdrawals are taxed and earnings are charged a 10 percent penalty. 然而, you can change the beneficiary of a 529 to any qualified family member (including yourself if you plan to go back to school) and use the account to pay for their education expenses.

The costs of higher education and the growing mountain of student loan debt is becoming a burgeoning problem. 从1985年到2011年, average tuition increased 498 percent – more than four times the rate of general inflation¹. The reality is that many families will still need to utilize a mix of savings, 奖助金, 奖学金, 贷款, 还有就业收入来支付账单. But starting a 529 account as early as possible could dramatically help with the burden of higher education costs.

布雷特Lathrup
注册理财规划师 ^TM

¹ InflationData.com