College Savings Plans
College Savings Plans
Plan 4, Inc.
At Plan 4, we have one mission: to assist you in achieving your financial goals. Our diverse team of advisors believes that an educated client is an empowered client. We are committed to honest and forthcoming dialogue and evaluation. We tell it like it is and enable you to take control of your financial future. Paying for college for yourself, your children, or for another family member or friend is a tremendous investment. Developing a solid plan to pay for college is an important part of taking charge of your financial fitness. Meet with one of our trusted advisors today to discuss your options.
What is college financial planning?
Getting kids to and through college is not an easy feat, but you can start planning financially now so that, when the time comes, you are better prepared for this life changing event. College financial planning, for both parents and children, is about more than simply saving money. There are tracking dates, tracking deadlines, making big decisions, and taking on new responsibilities. Our team will help you on this journey.
4 reasons to start preparing early for college:
- Help your child identify their interests, skills, and passions, and clearly define the limits of your financial commitment. This will enable you to develop a comprehensive plan for how your student can pursue their dreams and determine which college or institution is the best fit educationally and financially.
- It is best to be proactive in your approach to college planning so that your student will have the choice of where they can best pursue their individual passions and interests while avoiding exorbitant debt.
- A proactive financial approach to funding education is important for the family to determine what they need to work toward saving, as well as what other funding options they should pursue.
Early college preparation is important, but it is never too late to start the process. Orderly college planning will allow students more information about colleges, enable their choices to be more relevant to their personal lives, and ensure that they can enjoy the college planning process rather than stress about deadlines and finances.
529 College Savings Plans
A 529 College Savings Plan is a tax advantaged investment account that can be used to cover higher education expenses as well as private elementary and high school costs. 529 Plans are usually sponsored by individual states. Over thirty states have 529 College Savings Plans. . The name 529 Plan stems from Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, which specifies the plan’s tax advantages. These types of plans are beneficial because earnings grow federally tax-deferred, while qualified withdrawals can be made tax-free. Many states have their own set of tax benefits as well. NY’s 529 College Savings Program has the Direct Plan with its own benefits as follows: pay no income tax on earnings, make tax-free qualified withdrawals, state income tax deductions, and enjoy a federal gift tax incentive.
How do I set up a 529 plan in New York?
NY’s 529 College Savings Program has the Direct Plan with its own benefits as follows: pay no income tax on earnings, make tax-free qualified withdrawals, state income tax deductions, and enjoy a federal gift tax incentive. Meet with one of our advisors to discuss options to set up your New York 529 College Savings Plan today! We can find what works for you and make sure that your contributions are in line with your goals.
How do I set up a 529 plan in Massachusetts?
Meet with one of our advisors to discuss options to set up your Massachusetts 529 College Savings Plan today! We can find what works for you and make sure that your contributions are in line with your goals.
Use available resources
Paying for college is among the largest purchases you will make. Utilize resources as they come available; grants, scholarships, and loans are all viable funding sources. However, developing an achievable college funding plan early and sticking to that plan can be a confident way of being able to pay for the college of your dreams.
Key Takeaways
Taking steps early on to prepare a solid college funding strategy seeks to ensure that you are ready when the time comes. This means more than just saving money; taking advantage of tax-free growth and exploring all available options seeks to ensure that you make the most out of your college savings. Schedule a meeting with one of our advisors today. Whether you are the student or are helping to pay for another’s education, Plan 4, Inc.’s diverse team of advisors are here to help you pursue your financial goals.
Prior to investing in a 529 Plan investors should consider whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing.