http://blog.529s.com 529 College Savings Plans News Thu, 03 May 2012 21:26:46 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Utah announced today that it has hit a big milestone for the Utah 529 plan -- 200,000 opened accounts. Here's the press release: 200,000 Utah Educational Savings Plan Accounts Open and Saving for Higher Education (Salt Lake City) Today marks the opening of the 200,000th Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP) ... http://blog.529s.com/utah-hits-200000-529-plan-account-milestone/2012/05/03 The Utah 529 plan has a special Christmas gift for Utah residents that open a new account: a $25 bonus. Here are the details: Now is the best time to open a Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP) college savings accounts for your kids, grandkids, or other loved ones. Enjoy a ... http://blog.529s.com/utah-529-gives-25-gift-to-new-account-holders/2011/12/09 Sure, it's a marketing gimmick.  But it's a good one to shed light on the importance of saving for college. May 29 has been deemed "529 College Savings Day". Some 529 plan operators are holding giveaways in conjunction with the day.  For example, the Utah 529 Plan is giving away four ... http://blog.529s.com/529-college-savings-day/2011/05/17 We're all trying to save for college.  But aside from your typical 529 plan, hopefully you're counting on your traditional cash savings to help out.  The only problem is right now it's probably earning close to 0% at the bank. That's why you should check out the Sallie Mae High Yield ... http://blog.529s.com/check-out-the-sallie-mae-high-yield-savings-account/2010/09/03 Every year, a number of states make changes to their 529 plans.  It's hard to keep up with all of these changes, but I do an annual review of the programs to update some of the most common changes: -Increases to maximum contribution limits -Changes in in-state tax benefits and deductions This year ... http://blog.529s.com/updates-to-529-plan-contribution-limits-and-tax-deductions/2010/02/25 Total assets in Utah's 529 plans -- Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP) -- have topped $3 billion, the organization announced.  This is thanks in part to rebounding stock markets, but also a 12.53% increase in accounts last year. One reason for Utah's popularity is its lost overall costs.  I personally have ... http://blog.529s.com/utah-529-plan-hits-3-billion-in-investments/2010/01/07 A number of 529 plans offer upfront tax breaks to residents who invest in their own states' plans.  Although some states give you until you file your state tax return to make contributions for 2009, many require you to send your deposit by December 31. To find out your states' rules, ... http://blog.529s.com/hurry-deadline-thursday-for-529-plan-tax-breaks/2009/12/28 Looks like Washington is looking into a few enhancements of 529 plans, based on the findings from a report from the U.S. Treasury.  From TheStreet.com: Congress and the White House are working on new proposals that would keep college 529 plan expenses down, widen the use of such funds and possibly ... http://blog.529s.com/improvements-in-store-for-529-plans/2009/10/30 Utah governor Gary Herbert signed a declaration officially proclaiming September as College Savings Month in the State of Utah. The Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP), Utah’s 529 college savings program, is encouraging parents, grandparents and other family members to prepare and save for a child’s higher education. Read about Utah's ... http://blog.529s.com/utah-governor-declares-september-college-savings-month/2009/09/11 This article over at The Street caught my attention today. It suggests that the recent market downturn shows 529 plans are inherently flawed.  I disagree. It's true that the investing time frame for college savings plans is shorter than retirement.  So investing everything in risky stocks until a year or two before ... http://blog.529s.com/529-plans-flawed-at-the-core-not-really/2009/08/25