Just like planning for your retirement, planning for your kids’ college education begins long before your kids start applying to universities. If you have young children or grandchildren, the best time to start saving for college is now.
The cost of higher education is skyrocketing. Tuition increases are rising faster than the rate of inflation and outpacing increases in family income. In the last three decades, tuition costs have risen by roughly 25.3% at private colleges and 29.8% at public colleges.
If this trend continues, the inflation-adjusted price of an undergraduate education could more than double by the time your children or grandchildren are ready for college.
At this rate, when babies born in 2020 turn 18, the sticker price of a four-year college degree could reach a quarter-million dollars at public universities, and half a million dollars at private universities. If you have more than one child, you could be facing a bill that easily reaches seven figures!
Most of us have competing financial priorities, like saving for retirement, which can lead to difficult decision making. That’s why saving for college isn’t enough—you also need a plan. Without a clear plan of action, you risk the chance of letting down a generation of eager learners who lack the financial resources to pursue a degree that unlocks the career of their choice.
At Prosperity Financial Group, we can help you take the guesswork out of planning for future college costs. Our seasoned Advisors are well-versed in employing tax-advantaged strategies to set up the right college financial plan for your unique situation. We’ll help you make sense of it all when deciding which of these is right for you and your family.
Let’s look at some of the most common college planning strategies and how they can help you prepare.
529 Plans
When it comes to college planning, you’ve probably heard of a Section 529 College Savings Plan. 529 Plans are the go-to education savings accounts. This is due to their massive tax breaks and, now, the flexibility to include K-12 expenses in addition to college expenses.
These state-sponsored plans offer flexible, tax-deferred ways to save. For instance, while contributions to California’s 529 plan aren’t tax-deductible, earnings grow free from state and federal taxes. However, other states allow you to deduct your contributions for state income tax purposes.
In general, a 529 Plan includes benefits like:
- Significant tax benefits
- The freedom to contribute large amounts
- Possible estate planning benefits
- Full control by parent or grandparent, not your beneficiary
- Flexibility in education expenses, including K-12 and vocational school
529 Savings Plans vs. 529 Prepaid Tuition Plans
There are two main types of 529 Plans, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
529 Savings Plans
Think of these plans like education-oriented 401(k) plans; you can invest your contributions in a preselected set of mutual funds. Your account balance rises and falls based on how much you contribute and how well your investments perform. The money in your account can be used at any time for qualified education expenses.
529 Prepaid Tuition Plans
These aren’t as flexible as 529 Savings Plans, which can be used for any qualified education expense.
However, you can pre-purchase college credits at public in-state universities, allowing you to “lock in” the current cost of college. Room and board won't be covered and cost extra.
In general, 529 Savings Plans are more flexible, more widely available, and make more sense for most families. That’s why we’ll focus specifically on 529 Savings Plans.
Pros and cons of the 529 Plan
Pros
Cons
UGMA/UTMA Custodial Accounts
Another option to consider is a custodial account, as established by either the Uniform Gift to Minor Act (UGMA) or the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA). While not specifically designed for educational funding, UGMA and UTMA allow you to accumulate funds in your child’s name.
Though you’re funding an account for a child, the child’s access to the account is limited until they reach the age of majority—usually 18 or 21.
As the named custodian, you control the account until the child is no longer a minor. At the age of majority, the custodial relationship ends and the child assumes control over the account.
Pros and cons of the UGMA/UTMA Custodial Account
Pros
Cons
Alternative College Planning Methods
While not specifically designed for higher education planning, you can pay for education expenses through other strategies. Contact one of our Fiduciary Financial Advisors before implementing any of these strategies to find out how they may affect your overall investment plan.
IRAs
You can make withdrawals from your IRA to pay for qualified college expenses. The 10 percent penalty tax is waived, but you’ll still have to pay income taxes.
When weighing whether to dip into your retirement savings, understand that any disbursements may count as income and affect your child’s eligibility for need-based financial aid.
Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
If you need more money to pay college expenses, you can borrow from your 401(k) or 403(b) plan. In general, loans from these accounts will charge one to two percent higher than the prime lending rate.
Although interest charged is deposited into your retirement account, you’ll lose out on the benefit of compounding interest.
The loan must be repaid in five years. If you’re let go, the loan may be due immediately.
Life Insurance
Most people associate life insurance with the death benefit paid out when the insured dies. While the death benefit is a useful feature, it can also be used to fund higher education costs. It’s not recommended to buy a policy for the sole purpose of college savings, but the cash value of your whole, variable, or universal policy can be used to pay for such expenses.
Always speak with a Fiduciary Advisor to discuss specific guidelines and recommendations before withdrawing funds.
We Can Help
College is an exciting time when your children or grandchildren are learning how to be responsible, productive, and well-rounded adults. Don’t let a lack of planning sidetrack your child’s aspirations.
By getting a head start on the college planning process, you’ll be able to provide the necessary financial support for your child to succeed in higher education and beyond.
At Prosperity Financial Group, we offer several program options that can meet your individual needs. Whether you’re funding an infant’s or a teenager’s college savings plan, we’ll make sure the savings goals of your plan are appropriate for your time frame.
We’ll help you plan for your child’s college expenses by:
- Maximizing financial aid
- Advising on smart school selection
- Utilizing tax credits and other tax strategies
- Reviewing all funding strategies, including smart loan strategies
- Appealing financial aid offers
- Discussing the best places to find grants and scholarships
We’ll walk you through a careful and thoughtful analysis of your financial resources to come up with the best possible college planning strategy for you and your family. By taking this step, you can find the right balance between saving for college and saving for your own future.
If you would like to learn more about our college planning services, please fill out the form below and we'll get back to you shortly. We look forward to hearing from you.
DISCLAIMER: Advisory Services offered through Prosperity Financial Group, Inc., an Independent Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered through Fortune Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Prosperity Financial Group, Inc. and Fortune Financial Services, Inc. are separate entities.
