Technical resources library

Links to important documents, developments, and government/private resources concerning higher education and college savings. (Premium Service members only.)

529 Analysis, Planning & Commentary

Links

Documents & Releases

»"Saving for College: 529 Plans" - National Conference of State Legislatures (May 2012). Overview of 529 plans.

»"Maximizing Clients' 529 Funds" - by Kevin McKinley, Registered Rep. (December 2010). Here's how your clients can maximize the funds they net from 529 withdrawals made in the most common scenarios.

»"Tax-Efficient Learning" - by Troy Onink and Lloyd Paradiso, Private Wealth Magazine, Nov/Dec 2009. There are a number of tools and strategies that allow even high-net-worth clients to achieve substantial savings on a four-year college education.

»"Stimulus Act eases paying for college in 2009/2010" - by LeAnn Luna, AICPA Tax Insider (June 11, 2009). Summary of recent changes to education tax incentives.

»"Tax-loss harvesting in 529 plans: opportunity or land mine? - by Helen Modly, CFP, Horsesmouth.com (Dec. 1, 2008). Before jumping on the bandwagon and recommending that clients grab a tax loss from their 529 plans, be aware of the three major pitfalls that await the uninformed.

»"Tough questions on 529s" - by Kevin McKinley, Registered Rep. Magazine (Nov 2008). You can add some education to your guess by studying these answers to the most commonly asked complex questions about 529 plans.

»Back to school: The new parameters of funding a grandchild's college education - by Richard L. Kaplan, Journal of Retirement Planning, January-February 2008. Considerations for grandparents who want to finance their grandchildren's college expenses in light of recent changes in tax, financial aid and Medicaid laws.

»"To defer or not to defer: The growing debate over tax diversification" - by Jim Grote, CFP, Journal of Financial Planning (December 2007). With the prospect of changing tax rates in the future, should planners recommend that clients hedge by spreading tax risk across a variety of taxable and nontaxable investment vehicles?

»"The Dreaded Kiddie Tax" - by Allen Ford and Heidi L. Hydeman, Journal of Accountancy (July 2007). Describes some planning moves to minimize the kiddie tax.

»"Off-the-Rack Risk Control?" - by Stan Luxenberg, Registered Rep. (November 2006). Age-based options in 529 plans are convenient, but the asset allocation targets can vary widely among programs.

»"Nurturing 529s" - by Janet Aschkenasy, Wealth Manager Magazine (November 2006). From estate planning to bankruptcy problems, planners find subtle details in 529 plans.

»"Tax-Efficient Saving and Investing" - by William Reichenstein, Ph.D., TIAA-CREF Institute Fellow, Baylor University. Analysis and explanation of asset-class allocation between taxable investment accounts and tax-deferred accounts. February 2006.

»"A wrong decision on paying for college can cost you in taxes or lost aid" - by Marla Brill, Financial Advisor (September 2005). Discussing strategies with financial aid and taxes in mind.

»"The College Planning Smorgasbord" - by Paula H. Hogan and Bret Kroeger, Journal of Financial Planning (July 2005). The complicated financial aid rules and tax incentives surrounding college are causing confusion, increased risk of giving bad planning advice, and high liability exposure for advisers across the country.

»The Decoupling of the Federal and State Estate Taxes - by Linda B. Hirschson, Greenberg Traurig LLP, Practicing Law Institute 2005. Highlights legislative changes at the states.

»How expensive is too expensive? - Joseph Hurley's PowerPoint from 529 Technical Conference in Boston Nov 2004

»Taxable versus 529 investment account under different scenarios - calculator results comparing accumulations based on variations in tax bracket and future law changes

»"Choosing the Best Tax-Favored Education Benefit Strategy" - By Nell Adkins and B. Charlene Henderson, The CPA Journal, June 2004. Compares and contrasts tax benefits for education.

»How to Make a Trust an Account Owner of a 529 Plan - by Susan T. Bart Esq., MorningstarAdvisor.com (11/19/03). Discusses the issues facing trustees and grantors when pairing 529 plans with trusts.

»Code Sec. 529 Plans: Estate Planning's Holy Grail? - by Stephen C. Hartnett, J.D., LL.M., CCH's Journal of Practical Estate Planning (August/September 2003).

»"The Impact of the 2003 Tax Law on College Savings Options - by Jennifer Ma, TIAA-CREF Institute (July 31, 2003). Offers tax projections comparing 529 plans to other options in saving for college.

»"The Breakeven Frontier for Early Withdrawals from a Tax-Deferred Account" - by Arun J. Prakash, Ph.D., and Michael W. Smyser, Ph.D., Journal of Financial Planning (August 2003). Offers an analysis that may be helpful in analyzing the use of 529 plans when future nonqualified withdrawals will be subject to tax and a 10% penalty.

»"Tuition troubles" - PlanSponsor.com. A nice summary of the issues faced by employers considering installing a "workplace 529."

»Letter to IRS from the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel - describes several of the income, gift, and estate tax issues requiring guidance from IRS, dated February 25, 2003

»"Can Creditors Invade Qualified College Savings Plans" - by Jeffrey L. Kwall, J.D., Journal of Financial Planning (March 2001)

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» Official Tax Sources
» Industry & Regulatory
» 529 Analysis, Planning & Commentary
» Financial Aid
» Higher Education Policy