Advisor-sold 529 plans are only available through licensed financial advisors who work for a broker-dealer or registered investment advisor. A financial advisor may help a family select and open a 529 plan, create a college savings investment strategy and offer guidance when it is time to pay for college.

The SEC recently adopted new rules to help protect investors from bad advice, high fees and conflicts of interest when buying investment products from financial advisors. Under the new rules, financial advisors who earn commissions (brokers) will be held to a higher standard of conduct when recommending investment products such as IRAs and 529 plans.

Instead of saving for college in a 529 plan, some families pay off their mortgage early to free up future cash flow. Families should consider their mortgage interest rate, the liquidity of their assets and whether or not they plan to stay in their home before deciding to pay off their mortgage early.

There are no annual contribution limits for 529 plans. However, each 529 plan has an aggregate contribution limit, ranging from $235,000 to $529,000. Families making a large 529 plan contribution should consider the annual gift tax exclusion amount and find out if they qualify for state income tax benefits.