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The Hartford SMART529

While a similar program (SMART529 WV Direct) is available to West Virginia residents on a direct basis, this advisor-sold version is available nationally. The Hartford SMART529 program features a menu of age-based, static, and individual portfolio options utilizing Hartford Funds, two iShares (BlackRock) funds, one MFS fund, and a stable value portfolio managed by Invesco. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service. To find a financial advisor in your area, use the Directory of Financial Professionals.

Fee Score

4 / 5

Performance

3.5 / 5
  • Program type
    Savings
  • Inception
    2002
  • State agency
    State Treasurer's Office under the authority of the West Virginia College and Jumpstart Savings Programs Board of Trustees
  • Tax deduction
  • Program Manager
    Hartford Funds Management Company, LLC.
  • Program distributor
    Hartford Funds Distributors, LLC

Ratings & Rankings

Our overall rating for WV residents

This is a program that offers outstanding flexibility, attractive investments, and additional economic benefits (such as generous state tax incentives) that for some people, at least, will provide a substantial boost to their savings. There are few, if any, weaknesses noted in the program.

Our overall rating for non-residents

This is an excellent program with many benefits for the participant and positive investment attributes. If it has any significant weaknesses then it also has some particularly good things to recommend it.

SAVING FOR COLLEGE’S 5-Cap Ratings provides an evaluation and comparison of 529 plans, utilizing a formula that examines dozens of factors grouped into the following categories.

Eligibility

State residency requirements:

Who can be a participant/owner in the program?

Significant time or age restrictions imposed by the program:

Contributions

Maximum contributions:

Minimum contributions:

Does the program offer an e-gifting platform for receiving gift contributions?

Investment Options

Age-based/Enrollment Year investment options:

View more age-based investment options

Static investment options:

View more static investment options

Underlying fund allocations:

Portfolio Fees & Performance Lookup

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Fees & Expenses

Enrollment or application fee:

Account maintenance fee:

Program management fees:

Expenses of the underlying investments:

Total asset-based expense ratio:

Broker loads and commissions:

Breakpoint pricing:

Does breakpoint pricing include non-529 assets under rights of accumulation policies

Taxes and other Benefits

  • Tax deduction for single filers
    No limit
  • Tax deduction for joint filers
    No limit

Example

Married filing jointly residents contributing $100/month can expect an additional $0 a year in tax savings.

Program match on contributions:

State tax deduction or credit for contributions:

State tax recapture provisions:

State definition of qualified expenses

State tax treatment of qualified distributions:

State tax treatment of rollovers:

Does the sponsoring state exclude the value of an account for state financial aid purposes?

Does participation in the program provide beneficiaries with any advantages in qualifying for resident tuition status at state institutions?

Is there a rewards program or outside scholarship program that works with this program?

Upromise Helps Families Save for College

Statutory protection of an account from creditors:

Distributions & Terminations

To whom are distributions made payable:

Account Changes

Policy regarding participant/owner changes:

Documents, Access & Reporting

Does participant have online password-protected access to account?

Can the complete enrollment process including funding be done online?

Documents and other services accessible or downloadable on the program's public Web site:

Contact

Website:

Telephone:

Telephone for broker use:

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