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College & Education

What Are The Advantages Of A 529 College Savings Plan?

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Tax-deferral can have a dramatic affect on the growth of an investment. With a state-sponsored 529 College Savings Plan your contributions can grow tax-deferred (some states allow contributions to be partially or completely deductible) and distributed income tax-free as long as distributions are used for qualified education expenses such as tuition, fees, room and board at higher education institutions.

There is no limit on contributions but some states tend to limit contributions once the plan assets have reached a defined maximum (typically $200,000 - $250,000). You may make contributions of up to $55,000 per beneficiary in a single year without triggering a federal gift tax. Married couples may contribute $110,000 per beneficiary in a single year.*

Assets are professionally managed by fund managers selected by the state. Participants can choose from two to almost 30 mutual fund-type investments. Control of the account remains with the contributor regardless of the age of the beneficiary.

Savings and Assumptions	Input
Initial investment amount	(0-9999999)$
Annual savings amount:	(0-9999999)$
Number of years contributions are made:	(0-30)
Before tax return on savings: (%)	(0-12)%
Marginal tax bracket: (%)	(0-50)%

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Savings and Assumptions	Input
Initial investment amount
Annual savings amount:
Number of years contributions are made:
Before tax return on savings: (%)
Marginal tax bracket: (%)

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{ "fields" : { "udata" : [ "initialDeposit" , "annualSavings" , "numYears" , "beforeTaxReturn" , "taxBracket" ] } }

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• Mortgage

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  30 Year Fixed	5.13%	5.16%
  15 Year Fixed	4.70%	4.60%
  1 Year ARM	3.98%	4.00%
  30 Year Fixed Jumbo	6.06%	6.10%
  5/1 ARM	4.30%	4.26%
  3/1 ARM	4.75%	4.80%

  Source: Bankrate
• Home Equity

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  $30K Home Equity Loan	8.35%	8.39%
  $50K Home Equity Loan	8.36%	8.41%
  $75K Home Equity Loan	8.39%	8.44%
  $30K HELOC	5.24%	5.26%
  $50K HELOC	4.99%	5.00%
  $75K HELOC	4.99%	5.00%

  Source: Bankrate
• Savings

  Savings Type	Today	Last Week
  6 month CD	1.13%	1.15%
  1 year CD	1.61%	1.63%
  3 year CD	2.28%	2.29%
  MMA	1.04%	1.05%
  $10K MMA	1.13%	1.13%
  $25K MMA	1.34%	1.35%

  Source: Bankrate
• Auto

  Loan Type	Today	Last Week
  36 Month New Car Loan	6.90%	6.96%
  48 Month New Car Loan	7.05%	7.12%
  60 Month New Car Loan	7.11%	7.18%
  36 Month Used Car Loan	7.39%	7.43%
  48 Month Used Car Loan	7.50%	7.51%

  Source: Bankrate
• Credit Cards

  Card Type	Today	Last Week
  Business Credit Cards	9.69%	9.69%
  Low Interest Credit Cards	11.91%	11.91%
  Cash Back Credit Cards	12.36%	12.36%
  Reward Credit Cards	12.85%	12.85%
  Instant Approval Credit Cards	13.32%	13.32%
  Balance Transfer Credit Cards	13.46%	13.46%

  Source: CreditCards.com

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