Rival state's 529 often a better choice

01/08/2008

QUESTION:
Dear Joe,

Do you still recommend 529 plans for grandparents who do not live in one of the states that allow deductions for these plans? I live in New Jersey and my grandchildren live in New York.

-- N.

ANSWER:
Dear N.,

The fact that your state doesn't offer a tax deduction for your contributions to a 529 plan is not reason enough to steer clear of 529s. I view the state tax deduction, now available in more than 30 states, as icing on the 529 cake -- without the icing, you still have something very good.

For the large majority of investors, the federal income tax exclusion attached to 529 plans is much more valuable than the state tax benefits. And beyond their income tax benefit, 529s offer potential estate tax savings, the ability to retain ownership and control, and favorable treatment of 529 plans in the formula for determining federal financial aid eligibility.

Certainly, a state tax deduction is an added incentive to make the 529 contribution. But while some states are very generous in this regard, others are less so. A state's deduction limit, or its tax rates, may be so low as to cap the maximum annual benefit to a couple of hundred dollars or less.

Even if your state provides for a deduction, you might decide to use another state's 529 plan. If your grandchildren are fairly young -- meaning that your 529 accounts will be invested for a reasonably long period of time -- the investment performance of your 529 plan will likely outweigh the value of the state tax deduction.

States and their outside 529 program managers are competing vigorously for your college savings dollars, and they will make every effort to present you with a menu of high-quality investment choices at the lowest possible cost.

While I always advise looking first at your own state's 529 plan, I also encourage shopping around to see if another state's 529 plan might be a better fit.

Other recent questions

»Naming a successor to your 529 account (Video) (05/11/2012)
»Naming a successor to your 529 account (Script) (05/11/2012)
»529s and Financial Aid (Video) (10/04/2011)
»529s and Financial Aid (Script) (10/04/2011)
»Finding the Right Coverdell ESA (Video) (09/16/2011)
»Finding the Right Coverdell ESA (Script) (09/16/2011)
»3 ways to make a 529 plan withdrawal (Video) (08/26/2011)
»A 529 plan is great for grad school, too (Video) (08/24/2011)
»A 529 plan is great for grad school, too (Script) (08/24/2011)
»Trickle down: Granddad's 529 goes to son (Script) (08/23/2011)
»Trickle down: Granddad's 529 goes to son (Video) (08/23/2011)
»Diverting retirement cash to a 529 plan (Video) (08/22/2011)
»Diverting retirement cash to a 529 plan (Script) (08/22/2011)
»529 Plans: Which Expenses are Qualified? (Video) (08/01/2011)
»529 Plans: Which Expenses are Qualified? (Script) (08/01/2011)
»As adults, children own their 529 plans (03/27/2010)
»Coverdell accounts to lose K-12 feature (03/17/2010)
»Can you pay a mortgage with a 529 plan? (02/17/2010)
»Keep paying 529, even with kid in college (01/04/2010)
»Need-based financial aid strategies (12/23/2009)