529 Education Plan Savings You Can Expect

The prime reason why people invest in 529 education plans is not just to pay for their children's education when they reach college-attending age, but to get some interesting savings for their present and future lives. The primary question people ask when told about this college investment plan is what the savings will be. This is a synopsis of the various kinds of 529 education plan savings that you can look forward to:

1. The money that you put in the 529 education savings plan will grow without any federal or state income taxes, even if they are applicable.

2. The money will be all yours to pay for your kid's education when he or she begins attending college. Money withdrawn for this purpose is called as qualified withdrawals. All qualified withdrawals are free from federal income taxes. In the majority of states, qualified withdrawals do not attract any state taxes also.

3. One of the best aspects of the 529 education plan savings is that the person who makes the investment, i.e. the accountholder will retain all control of the investments, and not the beneficiary. In case the accountholder decides at a later point of time that the money should not be used for that particular beneficiary, another name can be nominated.

4. There is no age limit at which the 529 plan can be started, and also there is no minimum investment limit as such. In some states, the 529 plans can be kept alive with investments of as low as $15. Costs on the plan can be saved by approaching the state authorities directly. The states appoint an advisor to guide people on how to make the investments.

5. At the same time, people are allowed to invest high amounts in these plans. Some states have maximum limits higher than $300,000. That makes it a very good plan of allowing other fixed assets to grow.

6. The amounts contributed into the 529 state plans can be considered as gifts. But gift tax can be avoided by some planning. In case a person makes a contribution of $60,000 (or $120,000 for a married couple filing jointly), then it can be considered as five years gifts of $12,000 each per person (or $24,000 for a married couple), and hence gift tax can be excluded. However, if further contributions are made within this period, gift tax will be applicable.

7. The assets that are kept within the 529 educational savings plans are protected even in case a person goes bankrupt.

8. Though states provide the 529 plans, one good feature is that they can be used interstate. Any accredited college within the whole of the United States will accept the assets of the 529 plan to pay for the tuition fees. In addition, the money can be used for related educational expenses such as books and computers, educational equipment, accommodation, extra tuition fees, etc.