529 vs. Other Educational Savings Programs
For many people, helping to pay for their children’s or grandchildren’s education is one of their main financial goals. It’s admirable to want to use your wealth to better the next generation.
What education savings programs are right for you? A 529 plan is one of the most common educational investment options, but there are other choices. Let’s explore the different programs to help you determine which one is right for you.
529 Plans
A 529 plan is an investment account that offers tax benefits when used to pay for qualified education expenses for a designated beneficiary. These educational expenses could include a variety of things, including tuition for college or K–12 education, apprenticeship programs, or student loan repayments.1
The main benefit of a 529 plan is that the contributions grow tax-free, and if the money is used for eligible educational expenses, the withdrawals are also tax-free. In addition, over 30 states offer a tax deduction or credit for 529 plans. For example, in New York, contributions to a New York 529 plan of up to $5,000 per year by an individual and up to $10,000 per year by a married couple filing jointly are deductible when computing New York taxable income.2
Another benefit of 529 plans is that they don’t have any annual contribution limits (although, depending on where you live, they may have a lifetime contribution limit). However, you may have to pay a gift tax if you contribute more than $18,000 in 2024.3,4
Finally, the beneficiary for a 529 plan is transferable, which means that if your intended beneficiary doesn’t use the funds for education, you can transfer the account to another beneficiary in your family. This could include a spouse, in-laws, children, nieces, nephews, first cousins, aunts, uncles, or in-laws.5
Educational Savings Account (ESA)
An education savings account (ESA) is another educational savings program available to people who want to contribute to their child’s education costs. There are a few main differences between an ESA and a 529 plan.
The first difference and benefit of using an ESA is that you have more flexibility in how your contributions are invested. You can choose from almost any investment (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc.). In comparison, in a 529 plan, the assets are invested in mutual funds, ETFs, and other similar investments, and you don’t get a say in how they are invested. This means that, when it comes to asset allocation, you have more control and flexibility with an ESA.
While you might have more control over your investments, you also have less flexibility regarding contributions and withdrawals. One primary consideration is that you can invest only $2,000 per year per child in an ESA. In addition to this contribution limit, there are income-level restrictions. You can only use an ESA if you make less than $110,000 as an individual or $220,000 as a married couple filing jointly.6
Finally, there are more restrictions on the beneficiary. A 529 plan has no restrictions on the beneficiary’s age. With an ESA, you can only open accounts for beneficiaries under 18 and can only make contributions until they’re 18. In addition, all funds must be withdrawn before the beneficiary turns 30. Similar to a 529 plan, your contributions grow tax-free and can only be used for educational expenses. 6
Contributing to your loved one’s education benefits them and can be a smart strategy for saving on taxes for you. Whether you invest in a 529 plan, an ESA, or another option, saving for the future is always a good idea.
- https://www.savingforcollege.com/intro-to-529s/what-is-a-529-plan
- https://www.savingforcollege.com/compare-529-plans/state-tax-deductions
- https://www.savingforcollege.com/intro-to-529s/name-the-top-7-benefits-of-529-plans
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/frequently-asked-questions-on-gift-taxes
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/1/529plan.asp
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/coverdellesa.asp
This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information, and provided by Twenty Over Ten. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.