College savings plans: Why an early start can pay off

Never too early to start.
Written by
Dan Rosenberg
Dan is a veteran writer and editor specializing in financial news, market education, and public relations. Earlier in his career, he spent nearly a decade covering corporate news and markets for Dow Jones Newswires, with his articles frequently appearing in The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s.
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Nancy Ashburn
As a 30+ year member of the AICPA, Nancy has experienced all facets of finance, including tax, auditing, payroll, plan benefits, and small business accounting. Her résumé includes years at KPMG International and McDonald’s Corporation. She now runs her own accounting business, serving several small clients in industries ranging from law and education to the arts.
Baby preschool grad wearing cap and gown holding hands with mom and dad.
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Graduation day may come sooner than you think.
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So, there’s a new baby in the family. Congratulations, pass the cigars, and start thinking about college savings plans.

Huh?

College might be the last thing on your mind during those midnight feedings. But if you want to do this parenting thing right, it should be an even higher priority than buying that top-of-the-line stroller with all the bells and whistles. That tiny infant will wear a cap and gown at their graduation someday, and you don’t want them starting adulthood with major education debt.

Key Points

  • It’s critical to start early on college savings plans so you can take full advantage of the power of compounding.
  • Both 529 plans and Coverdell savings accounts give you tax advantages as you build your college fund.
  • There are two different types of 529s: education savings plans and prepaid tuition plans.

College costs have outpaced inflation for decades. No one knows what college will cost in 18 years, but it’s safe to assume it’ll stay pricey. And who says you’ll stop at one child? That’s why it’s never too early to learn about 529 education savings plans, Coverdell education savings accounts (ESAs), and other savings options.

Why start early?

Compounding is a phenomenon where earnings from your investments get added to your original investment pile, and those earnings then build upon themselves. Compounding is far more robust if you let it aggregate as long as possible.

For example, if you start with $1,000, add $150 each month, and the account grows an average of 6% each year (tax-free in your 529), you’ll have nearly $60,000 in college funds 18 years from now. Want to see for yourself? Use the compounding calculator below. Note that the more you contribute each month, the more compounding can work its magic.

compound interest calculator
THE POWER OF COMPOUNDING. Interest on your interest. Returns on your investment returns. No wonder it’s been called the eighth wonder of the world.

529 plans

You can get an early start funding college through tax-advantaged savings plans. These plans, sometimes known as “qualified tuition plans,” are sponsored by states, state agencies, or educational institutions, and are authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code.

A 529 comes in two types: education savings plans or prepaid tuition plans. All are sponsored by state governments. Here’s how they work.

529 education savings plan. Regardless of the state you live in, you can open an investment account that can be used to pay tuition, fees, and room and board. Withdrawals from education savings plan accounts can generally be used at any public or private U.S. and some non-U.S. colleges or universities, with no in-state limitations and minimal impact on potential financial aid eligibility. The contribution limit is up to $16,000 annually per donor before the gift tax kicks in.

You can fund a 529 plan yourself and/or get help from grandparents and others. The savings grow tax-deferred, and there’s no tax when you withdraw, provided the money is used for qualified education expenses. Many states offer tax benefits for contributions to the plans, meaning you might be able to deduct your 529 contributions from state income tax.

The plans offer a range of mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)—usually conservative ones that aim to limit the risks to your college savings. The investment mix tends to tilt toward more conservative fixed-income securities as college approaches, but there aren’t any guarantees against losses.

One other possible drawback of 529 savings plans is that they typically have fees and expenses that reduce your returns. There also can be penalties if you don’t use the money for education, or if you withdraw any cash early.

Prepaid tuition plan. A prepaid tuition 529 plan lets you prepay your child’s future college education at current prices, but not all states have them.

Some states offering these plans allow you to purchase by semester, rather than pay for all four years at once. With others you can pay by “unit,” for instance, purchasing a certain number of units of the total cost, which you can redeem in the future. Grandparents and others can also chip in.

Prepaid plans, like 529 savings plans, allow the value of the education to grow tax free and are tax free when you withdraw the money, as long as it’s for education costs covered by the plan. If college costs increase 20% between the time you buy your plan and when your child begins college, that’s like making an investment with a 20% return—tax free. But there are drawbacks.

You can typically only buy prepaid 529 plans for colleges and universities in your own state. As of 2022, Massachusetts is the only state allowing new investment from non-residents.

If you move or if your child wants to attend an out-of-state school, the plans have contingency options, but they might include a fee. And the dollar value your plan pays might not cover the costs of college in another state. Read the fine print.

Another drawback of prepaid plans versus savings plans is they typically cover only tuition and mandatory fees, not room and board.

Other options. You’re not limited to one type of 529 plan. Some families have one of each for the same child, using one type of plan for tuition and fees and the other for room and board.

If your child chooses not to attend college, gets a full scholarship, or attends a military school, you have options. Although the rules vary, most plans allow you to transfer the balance, without tax consequences, to another beneficiary (e.g., a sibling or other relative). You could redeem the funds, if you have no choice—but you’d owe taxes on the investments and growth, plus a 10% penalty.

Coverdell plans

Compared with a 529, a Coverdell education savings account (ESA) is a trust or custodial account that gives you more flexibility on the investments you can make. You can even invest in individual stocks. A Coverdell ESA can also be used to pay for many K–12 expenses.

Like 529 plans, Coverdell earnings and withdrawals used for qualified education costs are tax free—even tuition at a private elementary or high school. However, a Coverdell has income and contribution limits. The total contribution can’t exceed $2,000 a year, and you can’t contribute once your household income exceeds $220,000, assuming you and your spouse file jointly (the limit is $110,000 for a single filer).

You can have a Coverdell and a 529 plan at the same time. Although the forms are pretty straightforward, your bank should be able to help if you get bogged down in the verbiage. If you have a broker, or work with a financial advisor, they can help as well.

The bottom line

By planning ahead and starting early with education savings plans, you’ll be better prepared both financially and emotionally for the expenses of your child’s college, even if it seems far away. And you can get in early on the power of compounding.

If that’s not enough motivation, consider how good you’ll feel knowing you have a head start on at least one important parenting task. That should help you sleep peacefully just as soon as you actually get to sleep at night again.