529 Education Savings Plan

Financial Planning - Financial planning in general. (Moderated) 

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Subject Author Date 529 Education Savings Plan c_shah 05-22-2008  Re: 529 Education Savings Plan kastnna 05-22-2008
Posted by c_shah on May 22, 2008, 5:05 am I live in illinois have a 20 months old daugher. Thinking about using Economic Stimulus rebate for 529 Education Savings plan. I do not know more about 529 Plan (only thing I know money you put in 529 can be used to pay college tution). Radio here has frequents ads about illinois bright start but few years ago what I heard that IL 529 (BrightStart savigns was worst in the nation) Any advise would be appreciated. -------------------------------------- Misc.invest.financial-plan is a moderated newsgroup where Moderators strive to keep the conversations on-topic for financial planning. Other posting guidelines include a request for brevity and another for trimming posts to which we respond. For all of the other tips and suggestions, see "FROM THE MODERATORS: Posting to misc.invest.financial-plan", a weekly post now on the Newsgroup. Posted by kastnna on May 22, 2008, 9:08 am > I live in illinois have a 20 months old daugher. Thinking about using > Economic Stimulus rebate for 529 Education Savings plan. I do not know > more about 529 Plan (only thing I know money you put in 529 can be > used to pay college tution). > > Radio here has frequents ads about illinois bright start but few years > ago what I heard that IL 529 (BrightStart savigns was worst in the > nation) Actually, Morningstar claims the Illinois plan has really turned it around to become one of the best in the nation. Here's a link to the article: http://news.morningstar.com/articlenet/article.aspx?id=234422 I think you need to be a member, but I also think it's free to join. 529 plans are great for education savings. Tax deferred growth and federally tax free withdrawal for qualified higher education expenses. You can change beneficiaries (if there's money left over due to scholarships, not attending college, attending a cheaper than expected college, etc...) and the money stays in YOUR control (unlike a UGMA/ UTMA). I do not know if Illinois allows for a state tax deduction? If so, that's a bonus. My one caveat: make sure you take care of YOU first. Most of us here advocate making sure your retirement fund is on track and any "bad debt" is paid down before you begin college planning. -------------------------------------- Misc.invest.financial-plan is a moderated newsgroup where Moderators strive to keep the conversations on-topic for financial planning. Other posting guidelines include a request for brevity and another for trimming posts to which we respond. For all of the other tips and suggestions, see "FROM THE MODERATORS: Posting to misc.invest.financial-plan", a weekly post now on the Newsgroup. Similar Threads Posted 529 Education plan February 14, 2007, 4:59 am Multiple child savings plan February 22, 2008, 2:50 pm self directed college savings plan June 24, 2008, 5:25 am 529b savings plan and need based financial inpact ?? January 24, 2007, 7:26 pm qualifying education expenses for I bonds? August 22, 2007, 5:08 am Mandatory Personal Finance Education November 15, 2007, 5:12 am Retirement IRA plan January 7, 2007, 7:35 am investment plan for 25K January 27, 2007, 4:58 am Can I use one 529 plan for two children? March 30, 2007, 3:02 pm Another 529 plan question: February 19, 2007, 5:02 am