For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31214 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Order Code RL31214 Saving for College Through Qualified Tuition (Section 529) Programs Updated March 26, 2008 Linda Levine Specialist in Labor Economics Domestic Social Policy Division Saving for College Through Qualified Tuition (Section 529) Programs Summary Congress has tried to make higher education more affordable by providing favorable tax treatment to savings accumulated in qualified tuition programs (QTPs), also called Section 529 programs after their citation in the Internal Revenue Code. QTPs initially allowed individuals to save for qualified higher education expenses (QHEEs) on a tax-deferred basis. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) made permanent the temporary enhancements to QTPs contained in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001. The enhancements include making qualified withdrawals from QTPs tax-free. One type of QTP, prepaid tuition plans, enables account owners to make payments on behalf of student beneficiaries for a specified number of academic periods/course units at current prices thereby providing a hedge against tuition inflation. States were the only sponsors of prepaid plans until Congress extended sponsorship to eligible higher education (private) institutions effective in 2002. States remain the sole sponsor of the more popular type of Section 529 program, college savings plans, which account for most of the $105.7 billion in QTP assets as of December 31, 2006. College savings plans can be used toward a variety of QHEEs at any eligible institution regardless of which state sponsors the plan or where the beneficiary attends school. In contrast, if beneficiaries of state-sponsored prepaid plans attend out-of-state or private schools, the programs typically pay the same tuition that would have been paid to an eligible in-state public school. Also unlike prepaid plans, in which the state plan invests the pooled contributions with the intent of at least matching tuition inflation, college savings account owners can select from a range of investment portfolios. College savings plans thus offer the chance of greater returns than prepaid plans, but they also could prove more risky. Additionally, college savings plans charge fees (e.g., enrollment fees and underlying mutual fund fees) that lower returns -- more so for accounts opened through investment advisors (e.g., sales charges). The level of these fees vis-a-vis the tax savings, the extent and manner of fee disclosure across plans, and the role of federal regulators in this area was the subject of oversight during the 108th Congress. (More recently, the 109th Congress included in the PPA enactment of Section 529(f). It charges the Secretary of the Treasury with developing regulations to prevent abuse of Section 529 and to carry out its purposes in general. The Internal Revenue Service currently is developing a notice of proposed rule making, which will include portions of the 1998 proposed regulation and anti-abuse rules.) Both types of Section 529 programs have several features in common beyond qualified withdrawals being tax-free. Earnings not applied toward QHEEs (e.g., the beneficiary forgoes college) generally are taxable and subject to a penalty. The tax and penalty can be avoided if account owners designate a new beneficiary who is an eligible relative of the original beneficiary. Account owners, rather than beneficiaries, maintain control over the funds. Contributions are not deductible on federal tax returns. Contents What Is a Section 529 Program? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Prepaid Tuition Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 State-Sponsored Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Plans of Eligible Institutions of Higher Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 College Savings Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Recent Issues by Type of Section 529 Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 College Savings Plans: Fees and Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Prepaid Tuition Plans: Closures and Modifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Tax Treatment of QTP Contributions and Earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Qualified Earnings Distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A Penalty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Transfer Tax Provisions for Section 529 Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Investment Control and the Tax Consequences of Transferring Funds Between Section 529 Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Changing Beneficiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Same-Beneficiary Rollovers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Coordination of Contributions with Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 IRS Rulemaking: Potential for Abuse of Section 529 Accounts . . . . . . . . 13 Interaction with Other Higher Education Tax Incentives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Appendix. State-Sponsored Prepaid Tuition Plans and College Savings Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 List of Tables Table A1. Comparison of State-Sponsored Prepaid Tuition Plans . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Table A2. Comparison of State-Sponsored College Savings Plans . . . . . . . . . . 21 Saving for College Through Qualified Tuition (Section 529) Programs Since the late 1980s, an oft-voiced concern has been that the nation's educational and training institutions may not be supplying enough persons with the heightened skill levels reportedly demanded by businesses. Indeed, the demand for workers with at least a bachelor's degree has been growing and is projected to continue growing at a more rapid rate than the demand for individuals with little, if any, postsecondary education.1 At the same time, the cost of higher education has risen to a greater extent than average household income over the past two decades.2 The trend has caused concern among Members of Congress that higher education is becoming less affordable for middle-income families. In response to these trends, Congress has added a panoply of tax benefits to supplement the traditional student financial aid system with the intention of encouraging human capital development by increasing the affordability of postsecondary school attendance. Among the tax incentives to promote higher education is the qualified tuition program (QTP) or Section 529 program, named for its place in the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). It provides favorable tax treatment to money accumulated for future payment of qualified higher education expenses. Although more states sponsored QTPs after the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-188) clarified their federal tax status, the amendment of Section 529 by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA, P.L. 107-16) greatly increased the program's attractiveness. Among other temporary amendments to QTPs, EGTRRA made withdrawals from Section 529 plans to pay qualified higher education expenses tax-free. (Previously, earnings on contributions to QTPs had been allowed to grow on a tax-deferred basis and their subsequent withdrawal to pay for qualified expenses had been taxable.) To comply with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, however, P.L. 107-16's amendments to Section 529 and many other provisions in the IRC sunset for tax years beginning after December 31, 2010.3 Subsequently, the 109th Congress passed the Pension 1 CRS Report RL34224, College Costs and Prices: Issues for Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, by Rebecca R. Skinner and Blake Alan Naughton. 2 CRS Report RL32100, College Costs and Prices: Background and Issues for Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, by Rebecca R. Skinner. 3 For additional information, see CRS Report RS21870, Education Tax Benefits: Are They Permanent or Temporary?, by Linda Levine. (Hereafter cited as CRS Report RS21870, Education Tax Benefits.) CRS-2 Protection Act of 2006 (PPA, P.L. 109-250); it included provisions that made permanent EGTRRA's changes to Section 529 plans. As EGTRRA's modifications to Section 529 plans are now permanent, this report provides an overview of QTPs that cover its post-P.L. 107-16 provisions. It also addresses issues of recent concern associated with QTPs. The report discusses the interaction of Section 529 plans with other tax incentives for postsecondary education as well. The Appendix Tables A1 and A2 summarize Section 529 prepaid tuition and college savings plans by state, respectively, as of December 2003. What Is a Section 529 Program? States, their agencies, or their instrumentalities can establish and maintain tax- exempt programs (1) that permit individuals to purchase tuition credits or certificates for use at eligible institutions of higher education4 on behalf of a designated beneficiary which entitles the beneficiary to the waiver or payment of qualified higher education expenses; or (2) that permit individuals to contribute to an account for the purpose of paying a beneficiary's qualified higher education expenses (QHEEs).5 In addition to states, eligible institutions of higher education can now offer the first type of QTP, commonly called prepaid tuition plans. States remain the sole tax- exempt sponsors of college savings plans, which is the name commonly applied to the second type of QTP. According to Section 529 of the IRC, payments to both types of QTPs must be in cash (e.g., not in the form of securities). A contributor may establish multiple accounts for the same beneficiary, and an individual may be a designated beneficiary of multiple accounts (e.g., an account in a college saving plan sponsored by state A and another in state B originated by a parent for child X or an account in a prepaid tuition plan sponsored by state C that is originated by a parent for child Y and an account in a college savings plan sponsored by state D that is originated by a 4 Eligible institutions of higher education generally are those accredited public and private non-profit postsecondary schools that offer a bachelor's, associate's, graduate or professional degree, or another recognized postsecondary credential, as well as certain proprietary and vocational schools. The institutions also must be eligible to participate in student aid programs of the U.S. Department of Education. 5 QHEEs are tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible institution as well as room and board for students attending school at least half-time. Note: P.L. 107-16 further expanded the definition of "qualified expenses" to cover the cost of special needs services for special needs beneficiaries. The legislation also raised the potential level of room and board expenses for students who attend eligible institutions at least half-time, thus enabling QTPs to pay for more of this qualified expense. Both these expansions are effective in tax year beginning after December 31, 2001. CRS-3 grandparent of child Y). But states may establish restrictions that are not mandated either by Section 529 or by the proposed regulations issued in 1998. There generally are no income caps on contributors, unlike the limits that apply to taxpayers who want to claim Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning tax credits or who want to use Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. The absence of an income limit on contributors likely makes Section 529 programs particularly attractive to higher- income families, who also are likely to make above-average use of the savings plans because persons with more income have a greater propensity to save.6 Prepaid Tuition Plans A prepaid tuition plan enables a contributor (e.g., parent, grandparent, and interested non-relative) to make lump-sum or periodic payments for a specified number of academic periods or course units at current prices. Prepaid tuition programs thus provide a hedge against tuition inflation. State-Sponsored Plans. Eighteen states sponsor the plans. As of December 31, 2006, prepaid tuition plans held about $15.6 billion in contributions and earnings.7 If the beneficiary of a state-sponsored prepaid tuition contract (e.g., child, grandchild or someone not related to the contributor) elects to attend an in-state private college or an out-of-state college, the program typically will pay the student's chosen institution the tuition it would have paid an in-state public college -- which may be less than the chosen institution's tuition. The specifics of prepaid tuition plans vary greatly from one state to another (e.g., as to a residency requirement, age limitation on beneficiaries, minimum and maximum contributions, refund policies, and state guarantee of rate of return and principal). Some plans reportedly have begun to cover room and board as well as tuition and related expenses.8 (See Appendix, Table A1 for a summary of the specific elements of state-sponsored prepaid tuition programs, including how the different programs calculate the value of a contract if a beneficiary attends a private institution or an out-of-state public institution.) Plans of Eligible Institutions of Higher Education. Effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2001, one or more eligible higher education institutions -- including private institutions -- may establish and maintain prepaid tuition programs accorded the same federal tax treatment as state-sponsored prepaid tuition plans. Some believe the expansion of the plans to include private institutions might help them recruit students who would otherwise have been deterred from 6 For information on the characteristics of contributors to Section 529 programs, see Investment Company Institute, Profile of Households Saving for College, fall 2003. (Hereafter cited as Investment Company Institute, Profile of Households Saving for College.) 7 Quarterly data on value of assets and number of contracts in each state-sponsored prepaid tuition program are available at [http://www.collegesavings.org]. 8 Anne Tergesen, "Pay Now, Study Later," Business Week, March 11, 2002. CRS-4 attending due to comparatively high tuition charges. It also has been suggested that the plans of private institutions might appeal to alumni who could "boast they've not only enrolled their [offspring] in their alma mater at birth, [but] they've already paid the tuition."9 In early 2003, the not-for-profit Tuition Plan Consortium received regulatory approval to sell "tuition certificates" in its Independent 529 Plan. It began accepting contributions later that year. More than 240 colleges and universities, ranging from research universities to small liberal arts colleges, have agreed to participate in the plan. A certificate prepays a share of a beneficiary's tuition, with the value of the share at a particular institution depending upon its tuition level (e.g., if, in the year a certificate in the amount of $10,000 would pay for one-half of the annual tuition and mandatory fees at College X or one-third of the annual tuition and fees at University Y, then the certificate will be worth that same fraction regardless of a school's tuition level at the time of enrollment). Beneficiaries do not commit to attending specific institutions at the time of pre-payment, and they may use the certificates at any participating school. Each year, participating institutions will set a discount from its current tuition and fees for purchasers of certificates, with the plan setting a minimum discount rate. A certificate cannot be used toward tuition and fees until three years from the date of purchase, and it generally will expire upon the 30th anniversary of its purchase. Unless at least $500 is contributed by the end of the first two years after having purchased a certificate, the plan will cancel the certificate and refund contributions without interest. The value of a certificate, adjusted for the plan's investment performance plus nominal amount of interest, cannot be refunded until one year from the date of purchase or upon the death of the designated beneficiary.10 Unlike either state-sponsored prepaid tuition plans or college savings plans, account owners of Independent 529 Plan tuition certificates do not pay administrative fees. They are absorbed by the participating educational institutions.11 College Savings Plans State-sponsored college savings plans typically offer several predetermined investment options from which contributors can select (e.g., a portfolio of equities and bonds whose percent composition changes automatically as the beneficiary ages, a portfolio with fixed shares of equities and bonds, or with a guaranteed minimum rate of return). Unlike prepaid tuition plans, the value of each savings account is based on the performance of the investment strategy chosen by the account owner. A number of explanations have been offered for the proliferation and popularity of this newer type of QTP. It has been suggested that state officials regard college 9 Jeff Wuorio, Prepaying Tuition Offers Peace of Mind at a Price, available at [http://moneycentral.msn.com/articles/family/college/1462.asp]. 10 Description of the Independent 529 Plan submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Available online at [http://www.sec.gov/divisions/investment/noaction/ tuitionplan020403.htm]. 11 See [http://www.Independent529plan.org] for additional information. CRS-5 savings plans as a way to offer people a benefit with little cost to the state. In contrast, if a state guarantees its prepaid tuition plan, it assumes the risk that earnings on the plan's pooled contributions will not match tuition inflation, in which case, the state must use other resources to satisfy the plan's obligations.12 Another reason put forth, this time from the contributors' perspective, is that the funds in a college savings plan can be used toward the full range of QHEEs at any eligible institution, regardless of which state sponsors the plan or where the contributor resides. In addition, some of the investment options of college savings plans offer account owners the possibility of greater returns than produced by the usually conservative investment strategy of prepaid tuition programs. Further, college savings plans reportedly have increased in popularity as an employee benefit. Typically, the employer contracts with a mutual fund company and employees' voluntary contributions are deducted from their paychecks.13 A few credit card companies also rebate a percentage of purchases made by cardholders. Accumulated rebates periodically are transferred into particular college savings plans.14 In part for these reasons, all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer college savings programs. They accounted for more than $90.1 billion (85%) of the $105.7 billion held in 9.3 million QTP accounts as of December 31, 2006.15 (See Appendix, Table A2 for a summary of college savings plans by state.) Recent Issues by Type of Section 529 Program College Savings Plans: Fees and Disclosure. States generally have turned to financial services companies (e.g., the Vanguard Group, TIAA-CREF, and Merrill Lynch) to manage their college savings plans. These firms charge account owners fees that are in addition to those states typically impose (e.g., enrollment fee, annual account maintenance fee, and administrative fee). The investment company fees, which reduce returns, generally are calculated as percentages of the assets in the basket of mutual funds that can comprise one investment option in a college savings plan.16 (Appendix Table A2 includes estimates of average annual expenses for 12 Andrew P. Roth, "Who Benefits from States' College-Savings Plans?" Chronicle of Higher Education, January 1, 2001. 13 Lauren Paetsch, "Section 529 College Savings Plans More Attractive Due to 2001 Tax Law," Employee Benefit Plan Review, February 2002. 14 Brian Hindo, "Shop Your Way to College Savings," Business Week, March 11, 2002; and Kristin Davis, "College: We Did Your Homework to Find the Best Way to Save for College, Circa 2004," Kiplinger's Your Money, May 2004. (Hereafter cited as Davis, College: We Did Your Homework.) 15 Quarterly data on the value of assets and number of accounts in each state-sponsored college savings plan are available at [http://www.collegesavings.org]. Note: The number of accounts exceeds the number of beneficiaries because there is no limit to the number of accounts that can be established on behalf of a beneficiary. 16 Testimony of Daniel McNeela, Senior Analyst, Morningstar, Inc., in Investing for the Future: 529 State Tuition Savings Plans, Hearing before the Subcommittee on Capital (continued...) CRS-6 direct-sold plans.) Reportedly, "expenses are higher in most 529 plans than in equivalent mutual funds ... [e]ven among plans that aren't sold by brokers (and thus don't have high upfront loads or annual sales fees)."17 Perhaps in response to the plethora of college savings plans and to the multiplicity of each plan's investment choices, contributors appear to have increased their use of commissioned brokers and financial advisors.18 These intermediaries are the most frequently mentioned source of plan information among persons who have established college savings accounts.19 Additionally, as shown in Appendix Table A2, some plans require residents of other states to buy their plans through brokers or financial advisors. Almost two-thirds of college savings plans were sold by these intermediaries in 2003, with three-fourths of new accounts coming from this source.20 Individuals who purchase college savings plans through brokers and financial advisors incur sales charges of up to 5.75% of account assets in addition to the fees imposed by the state plans and fund companies.21 Congressional Oversight. Some Members of Congress became concerned about such things as the overall level of fees and the extent to which they offset the value of the tax benefit, the lack of uniform disclosure across plans that impedes savers from making informed decisions, and about what group(s) has regulatory authority. In its March 2004 response to a letter from House Committee on Financial Services Chairman Oxley, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) explained that the plans generally are not regulated under federal securities laws because they are considered instrumentalities of their respective states.22 As a result, those who enroll in 529 savings plans are not required to be provided the same quality of information as other mutual fund investors. Similarly, the SEC stated that investors in the state-sponsored plans do not have to get the same periodic reporting as other mutual fund investors and that 529 investors encounter difficulty making comparisons across plans because of the lack of standardized disclosure of fees. The SEC went on to note, however, that the investment companies state-sponsored plans hire to manage assets or provide advice as well as the broker-dealers and municipal securities dealers that sell shares in the plans are governed by applicable federal securities laws (e.g., anti-fraud provisions) and rules of the Municipal Securities 16 (...continued) Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises, House Committee on Financial Services, 108th Congress, 2nd Sess., Serial No. 108-90 (June 2, 2004). (Hereafter cited as Morningstar testimony.) 17 Davis, College: We Did Your Homework, p. 72. 18 Lynn O'Shaughnessy, "Avoiding Fee Pitfalls as College Savings Climb," New York Times, July 13, 2003; and 19 Investment Company Institute, Profile of Households Saving for College. 20 Howard Isenstein, "As College Plans Proliferate, It Pays to Shop Around," New York Times, June 20, 2004. 21 Morningstar testimony. 22 [http://financialservices.house.gov/media/pdf/3-16-04%20529%20lttr%20part%20two _001.pdf]. CRS-7 Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and the NASD (formerly known as the National Association of Securities Dealers).23 Then SEC Chairman Donaldson consequently created a Task Force on College Savings Plans in March 2004 to examine issues raised by the structure and sale of college savings plans. On June 2, 2004, the House Committee on Financial Services' Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Spending held a hearing on these matters. The complexity of the college savings plans' fee structure and the lack of standardized disclosure were frequently raised by those who testified. The Chair of the College Savings Plan Network (CSPN) testified that the group had begun to develop voluntary disclosure guidelines in 2003.24 (All states have implemented the first statement of disclosure principles, which CSPN adopted in December 2004. CSPN adopted a second statement of disclosure principles in July 2005, and it has been incorporated in the states' offering materials.) The Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs' Subcommittee on Financial Management, the Budget, and International Security held oversight hearings on college savings on September 30, 2004. NASD Vice Chairman and President of Regulatory Policy and Oversight Mary Schapiro testified about the application of advertising rules to the marketing of investments that underlie college savings plans: broker-dealers have been made to correct sales material they are required to file with the self-regulatory, private-sector organization. She also addressed the fact that some states accord preferential tax treatment to residents' contributions to in-state college savings plans and that an MSRB rule states that broker-dealers must have reason to believe that the investments they recommend are suitable to the customer. A 2003 NASD investigation of the sales practices of six firms found, however, that most sold virtually all their 529 plan investments to customers who were not residents of the state sponsoring the plan.25 Upon expanding the investigation to additional firms in May 2004 and finding that most 529 plan sales involved the same practice, Schapiro reported that the NASD issued an Investor Alert. She also noted the availability of 23 The NASD is the major private-sector regulator the U.S. securities industry. The MSRB is the self-regulatory body that Congress created to develop rules governing broker-dealers and dealer banks that underwrite, trade, and sell municipal securities (e.g., sell interests in 529 college savings plans). Most of the municipal securities dealers regulated by the MSRB also are licensed broker-dealers regulated by NASD. NASD enforces the MSRB's rules pertaining to non-bank broker-dealers. 24 Testimony of Diana Cantor, Executive Director of the Virginia College Savings Plan and Chair of the College Savings Plan Network, Hearings before the Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises, House Committee on Financial Services, 108th Congress, 2nd Sess., Serial No. 108-90 (June 2, 2004). 25 Testimony of Mary L. Schapiro, NASD, in Section 529 College Savings Plans: High Fees, Inadequate Disclosure, Disparate State Tax Treatment and Questionable Broker Sales Practices, Oversight Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Financial Management, the Budget, and International Security, Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, 108th Congress, 2nd Sess., Serial 108-716, September 30, 2004. CRS-8 information on its website intended to educate both broker-dealers and investors on college savings plans.26 At the same hearing, testimony was given by the MSRB Senior Associate General Counsel Ernesto Lanza. He discussed a draft amendment to the MSRB's advertising rule proposed in June 2004, which went into effect in December 2005, after the MSRB filed the proposed rule change with the SEC; it is intended to improve the comparability of performance data across different state-sponsored 529 savings plans, mutual funds, and other types of investments.27 The MSRB and NASD issued a statement in February 2006 in which they agreed to cooperatively strive to promote consistency across regulations and interpretations regarding 529 plans. In August 2006, the MSRB's interpretive guidance about customer protection obligations of brokers, dealers, and municipals securities dealers marketing college savings plans became effective (e.g., disclosure to clients of tax benefits offered by their home states' 529 plans). The SEC similarly has continued to pursue its oversight of states that sponsor and firms that sell 529 savings plans. In August 2005, for example, the commission announced settlement of a cease-and-desist proceeding against the Utah Educational Savings Plan Trust which had made false statements and omissions about errors in its operation system and accounting practices. The SEC also filed a civil action against the Trust's former director for violating securities laws. In addition, the commission released a new Section 529 investor guide that explains the different plans, their disclosures, tax implications, and expenses.28 In December 2005, the SEC settled administrative and cease-and-desist proceedings against American Express Financial Advisors Inc. for its failure to disclose receipt of revenue-sharing payments that resulted from distribution of certain shares of mutual funds and 529 college savings plans. Prepaid Tuition Plans: Closures and Modifications. Due to the impact of the 2001 recession on state government support for higher education and of the coincident downturn in the stock market on plan performance, many state-sponsored prepaid plans in 2003 reported "actuarial deficits" in the millions to tens of millions of dollars, meaning the plans' assets are currently less than future tuition obligations ... There is a major difference between having an actuarial deficit and a cash-flow issue, [however] ... New participants will continue to join the program[s], current account holders will continue adding to their accounts, and program investments will have time to rebound.29 26 [http://www.nasd.com/index.htm]. 27 [http://www.msrb.org/msrb1/]. 28 [http://www.sec.gov]. 29 Sarah Max, "Are Prepaid Tuition Plans in Trouble?," CNN Money, January 10, 2003. Available at [http://money.cnn.com/2003/01/07/pf/college/prepaid/index.htm]. See also Peter Schmidt, "Prepaid-Tuition Plans Feel the Pinch," Chronicle of Higher Education, September 12, 2003. CRS-9 In addition, participants in state-sponsored plans that offer a tuition contract for which they paid in full or for which they agreed to make payments over time are unlikely to be affected by rising tuition prices. Nonetheless, a number of states took preemptive measures. For example, Colorado's prepaid tuition plan was closed to new participants and contributions were not being accepted from existing participants. Ohio also closed its plan to new participants. Other states modified their prepaid plans by, for example, greatly increasing the value of tuition units.30 Tax Treatment of QTP Contributions and Earnings There is no federal income tax deduction for contributions to QTPs. About 26 states and the District of Columbia allow residents who participate in their own state's plan to claim a partial or total state income tax deduction on contributions.31 Earnings on contributions to Section 529 plans accumulate tax-deferred until withdrawn. The deferral confers greater benefits on families with relatively high incomes because of their higher marginal tax rates. Simulations that compared potential after-tax accumulations in a college savings plan to those in mutual funds employing the same asset allocation strategies generally found that the higher a household's tax bracket, the greater the advantage of saving through a Section 529 plan.32 The study concluded that other factors substantially affect the level of accumulations as well. These factors are the investment expenses that alternative savings vehicles charge and the value of a state income tax deduction, if any, on contributions to a QTP. A subsequent analysis, which took into account reductions in capital gains and dividend tax rates, generally found that Section 529 plans remained a superior investment option.33 Qualified Earnings Distributions Earnings withdrawn from Section 529 plans to pay QHEEs became free from federal income tax effective in tax years starting after December 31, 2001 for state- sponsored programs, and starting after December 31, 2003 for programs of private institutions. The federal tax-exempt status of earnings withdrawals makes Section 529 plans an even more attractive means of saving for higher education expenses: for example, a student would pay nothing instead of incurring an $18,000 federal tax bill on $120,000 in earnings from contributions of $80,000 to a QTP made since the 30 Albert B. Crenshaw, "No Quick Fix for Section 529 Plans," Washington Post, June 6, 2004. 31 Davis, College: We Did Your Homework. 32 Jennifer Ma and Douglas Fore, "Saving for College with 529 Plans and Other Options: An Update," Research Dialogue, Issue no. 70, January 2002. 33 Jennifer Ma, "The Impact of the 2003 Tax Law on College Savings Options," available at [http://www.tiaa-crefinstitute.org/Publications/pubarts/pa073103.htm]. CRS-10 child was eight years old.34 The tax exemption might especially benefit older students who have relatively high incomes (e.g., a beneficiary employed full-time, or with a spouse employed full-time, who is pursuing an advanced degree or who is taking courses to update the skills used in his/her current occupation or to learn new skills in order to change occupations). As shown in the Appendix tables, the majority of states now provide residents a tax break on qualified earnings distributions from Section 529 plans. The federal tax exemption likely spurred some of these states to begin to do so. Only a few states extend the tax exemption on qualified earnings to residents that invest in other states' QTPs.35 A Penalty Plans must impose a "more than de minimis penalty" on the earnings portion of distributions that exceed or are not used for QHEEs (e.g., the beneficiary does not attend college).36 Effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2001, withdrawals of excess earnings continue to be taxable income to the distributee (e.g., account owner or beneficiary) and subject to an additional tax of 10%, absent certain circumstances.37 As clarified by the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002 (P.L. 107- 147), the new tax penalty does not apply to earnings distributions that are included in income but used for QHEEs. For example, a withdrawal is made from a QTP in the amount of $2,000, which is equal to a student's QHEEs in a given year. Because a higher education tax credit of $500 is claimed, the coordination rule requires that the credit amount be subtracted from the QHEE total ($2,000 - $500 = $1,500). As a consequence, $500 of the QTP withdrawal becomes subject to taxation but not to the additional 10% tax penalty. (See the section below for more information on the interaction between Section 529 plans and other higher education tax incentives.) Effective after December 31, 2002, the 10% tax penalty also no longer applies to withdrawals made when a beneficiary attends the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The amount of the withdrawals must be less than 34 Joseph F. Hurley, "Planning Strategies Under the Education Provisions of the New Tax Act," Journal of Financial Planning, September 2001. 35 Carol Marie Cropper and Anne Tergesen, "College Savings Plans Come of Age," Business Week, March 12, 2001. 36 Plans still may collect for themselves the penalty that prior federal law required. However, some observers have commented that the modest revenue the penalties have afforded states is outweighed by their administrative burden. In addition, the practice would create a competitive disadvantage unless all states continued it. 37 The conditions under which an account owner is not subject to a penalty on a refund of excess earnings are the beneficiary's death or disability, or the beneficiary's receipt of a scholarship, veterans educational assistance allowance or other nontaxable payment for educational purposes (excluding a gift or inheritance). CRS-11 the costs of advanced education in order to avoid the penalty. This amendment is a part of the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-121). Transfer Tax Provisions for Section 529 Plans Investment Control and the Tax Consequences of Transferring Funds Between Section 529 Plans Neither account owners nor beneficiaries are allowed to direct the investment of contributions to, or associated earnings from, a Section 529 plan. According to the proposed regulations published on August 24, 1998, in the Federal Register (63 F.R. 45019), contributors are permitted -- at the time they establish an account -- to choose a prepaid tuition plan, a college savings program, or both; if they select the a college savings program, they then can choose among its investment options. The statutory restriction on investment control had been considered a major drawback of QTPs, but it was significantly loosened. On September 7, 2001 (Bulletin Notice 2001-55), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a special rule that permits contributors to Section 529's college savings programs to move balances once per calendar year from one investment strategy to another within the state's offerings without incurring taxes and without changing beneficiaries. Account owners also can, on a tax-free basis, move balances among a state's investment offerings if they change beneficiaries. Changing Beneficiaries. Section 529 of the Code allows QTP distributions to occur without tax consequences if the funds are transferred to the account of a new beneficiary who is a family member of the old beneficiary. In order to receive this tax treatment, the new beneficiary must be one of the following family members: (1) the spouse of the designated beneficiary; (2) a son or daughter, or their descendants; (3) stepchildren; (4) a brother, sister, stepbrother, or stepsister; (5) a father or mother, or their ancestors; (6) a stepfather or stepmother; (7) a niece or nephew; (8) an aunt or uncle; (9) a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in- law, or sister-in-law; (10) the spouse of an individual referenced in (2)-(9); or (11) any first cousin of the designated beneficiary. First cousins are covered by the definition in tax years starting after December 31, 2001. The expansion to first cousins makes QTPs "more attractive to grandparents [who] can transfer an account between cousins [that is, between their grandchildren, and thereby avoid paying federal income tax and a penalty on non- qualified distributions] if, say, the original beneficiary decides not to go to college."38 38 Stephanie AuWerter, "The 529 Basics," SmartMoney.com, June 8, 2001. Available at [http://www.smartmoney.com/consumer/index.cfm?Story=200106083]. CRS-12 Same-Beneficiary Rollovers. Tax-free transfers from one QTP to another for the same beneficiary can occur once in any 12-month period.39 The same- beneficiary rollover permits contributors to make tax-free transfers between a prepaid tuition plan and a college savings plan offered by the same state, and between a state and a private prepaid tuition plan. Perhaps more importantly according to some observers, the amendment to Section 529 made permanent by the PPA provides an account owner with the opportunity for greater control over the investment of his/her funds without changing beneficiaries. An account owner could, for example, make a same-beneficiary rollover into the program of another state with an investment strategy the contributor prefers to those offered by the original state's program.40 Coordination of Contributions with Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes Contributors to Section 529 plans, rather than beneficiaries, maintain control over the accounts. In other words, contributors can change the beneficiary or have the plan balance refunded to them. This feature has been touted as a significant advantage of saving for college through a QTP as opposed to a custodial account opened under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) or the Uniform Transfers for Minors Act (UTMA) or through a Coverdell Education Savings Account. These savings vehicles ultimately are owned by the child. The child also can use them for whatever purpose they chose upon gaining control of the funds.41 Nonetheless, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (TRA, P.L. 105-34) declared that payments to Section 529 plans made after August 1997 are completed gifts of present interest from the contributor to the beneficiary. As a result, an individual can contribute up to $12,000 in tax year 2007 as a tax-free gift per QTP beneficiary. (This amount of a tax-free gift is subject to indexation.) A special gifting provision for contributions to Section 529 plans could make them of interest to individuals with substantial resources and to families with children who will be attending college in the not-too-distant future. A QTP contributor may make an excludable gift of up to $60,000 in 2007, for example, by 39 This is a per-beneficiary limit rather than a per-account limit. If more than one account of a beneficiary is rolled over in a 12-month period, it would represent a nonqualified distribution that is subject to taxation. Susan T. Brat, "Planning for College Using Section 529 Savings Accounts," The Practical Tax Lawyer, winter 2002. 40 Kristin Davis, "Miracle Grow," Kiplinger's Personal Finance, September 2001, and [http://www.savingforcollege.com]. 41 About 32 states allow parents to fund QTPs with money from custodial accounts. "Custodial" 529 plans retain some features of the original accounts (e.g., savings still belong to the child). There also could be tax consequences to funding QTPs in this manner due to the requirement that QTPs accept only cash contributions (i.e., the sale of investments in custodial accounts could produce capital gains that would be subject to taxation). Penelope Wang, "Education: Yes, There's Still College," Money, December 2001; and Anne Tergesen, "What About Those Custodial Accounts?" Business Week, March 11, 2002. CRS-13 treating the payment as if it were made over five years. Thus, each grandparent could contribute $60,000 (for a total of $120,000) to each grandchild's QTP in tax year 2007, which potentially would allow more earnings to accumulate than if each had contributed $12,000 annually for five years. In this instance, assuming the tax-free gift annual limit remained at $12,000 over the period, the two grandparents could not make another excludable gift to those account beneficiaries until 2012. By making QTP contributions completed gifts, the TRA also generally removed the value of the payments from the contributor's taxable estate. An exception occurs, however, if a contributor who selected the five-year advance exclusion option dies within the period. IRS Rulemaking: Potential for Abuse of Section 529 Accounts At the same time that the PPA permanently extended the EGTRRA amendments to Section 529, the 2006 act added Section 529(f). It provides that the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe regulations to prevent abuse of 529 accounts. The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) gave two examples of abuse in its technical explanation of the bill (JCX-38-06). Abuse might arise because account owners can change beneficiaries without inducing transfer tax payments. For example, a taxpayer establishes several accounts for different beneficiaries and contributes to each using the five-year rule, discussed above, with the ultimate purpose of changing the beneficiaries to one individual and distributing to that beneficiary the combined account balance without further transfer tax consequences. The JCT also noted that abuse might arise because a taxpayer endeavors to use a QTP like a retirement account, but Section 529 does not have the same requirements and restrictions as retirement accounts. The IRS, on March 3, 2008, published in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2008-9 an advance notice of rule making requesting that comments be submitted by March 18. The notice of proposed rule making (NPRM) is expected to include "a general anti- abuse rule that will apply when section 529 accounts are established or used for purposes of avoiding or evading transfer tax." The NPRM also "will include rules relating to the tax treatment of contributions to and participants in QTPs, including rules addressing the inconsistency between section 529 and the generally applicable income and transfer tax provisions of the Code." In addition, the NPRM will contain rules about the function and operation of the programs, drawing in part on regulations proposed in 1998, Notice 2001-55 concerning the statutory restriction against investment direction, Notice 2001-81 concerning recordkeeping, reporting and other requirements, and instructions related to Form 1099-Q (Payments From Qualified Education Programs (Under Section 529 and 530)). CRS-14 Interaction with Other Higher Education Tax Incentives Contributions can be made to a QTP and a Coverdell Education Savings Account in the same year for the same beneficiary.42 Before January 1, 2002, however, same-year contributions to a QTP and Coverdell account on behalf of the same beneficiary were considered an excess payment to the latter, and therefore, subject to income tax and a penalty.43 The Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning credits can be claimed for tuition and fees in the same year that tax-free distributions are made from a Section 529 plan or a Coverdell account, provided that the distributions are not used toward the same expenses for which the credits are claimed.44 If distributions are taken from a Section 529 plan and a Coverdell account on behalf of the same student, EGTRRA further requires that QHEEs remaining after reduction for the education tax credits must be allocated between the two savings vehicles. EGTRRA also initiated an above-the-line income tax deduction for tuition and fees, effective in tax years starting after December 31, 2001 and ending before January 1, 2006. (The deduction was last extended until January 1, 2008.)45 It can be taken for qualified expenses paid with the contributions portion of withdrawals from a Section 529 program. 42 Same-year contributions to a QTP and a Coverdell account for the same beneficiary could have gift-tax consequences if the payment to the two savings vehicles exceeds the annual limit on gifts in one year or five times the annual limit the five-year option for QTPs is utilized. 43 For information on Coverdell Education Savings Accounts see CRS Report RL32155, Tax-Favored Higher Education Savings Benefits and Their Relationship to Traditional Federal Student Aid, by Linda Levine and Charmaine Mercer. 44 For information on the credits see CRS Report RL31129, Higher Education Tax Credits and Deduction: An Overview of the Benefits and Their Relationship to Traditional Student Aid, by Linda Levine and Charmaine Mercer. 45 For legislative activity on the deduction, see CRS Report RS21870, Education Tax Benefits, by Linda Levine. CRS-15 Appendix. State-Sponsored Prepaid Tuition Plans and College Savings Plans Table A1. Comparison of State-Sponsored Prepaid Tuition Plans (as of November 24, 2003) Date of How Is Contract Operation Age Value Determined and Restriction If Used for Private State and Enrollment on What Is Covered in or Out-of-State Program Name Period Beneficiary the Contract? Public Institutions? Refund Policy Comments Alabama (Prepaid 1990 (Sept.) 9th grade or four years of Average of four-year Contract payments $100 to enroll, benefits must be used Affordable younger undergraduate tuition in-state public tuition refundable plus up within 10 years after the projected College Tuition) and fees at state public and fees to 5% interest college entrance date, no residency institutions requirement Alaska (Advance 1991 None Credits can be used on Full value of the Full value of the Plan purchasers get full value of the College Tuition (anytime) tuition, fees, books, account account is earnings, benefits must be used within Payment supplies, equipment, refundable 15 years of the projected college Program) room and board entrance date, no residency requirement, guaranteed by the state Colorado 1997 not not available not available not available Program not accepting contributions or (Colorado Prepaid available new enrollments as of Aug. 1, 2002 Tuition Fund) Florida (Florida 1987 (Nov.- Under 21 Up to four years of Average in-state Only contributions $50 to enroll, benefits must be used Prepaid College Jan.) and less undergraduate tuition public tuition and refunded, $50 fee within 10 years of the projected college Program) than 12th and fees at state public fees for contracts less entrance date, guaranteed by the state grade or private higher than two years institutions, plus optional plans that cover other local fees and dormitory CRS-16 Date of How Is Contract Operation Age Value Determined and Restriction If Used for Private State and Enrollment on What Is Covered in or Out-of-State Program Name Period Beneficiary the Contract? Public Institutions? Refund Policy Comments Illinois (College 1998 (Nov.- None Up to nine semesters of Average Contributions + 2% $85 to enroll, three-year waiting period, Illinois!) Mar.) tuition and fees at state mean-weighted interest refundable benefits need to be used within 10 years (Newborns, public higher in-state less $100 fee (no of projected college entrance date Nov.-Aug.) institutions public tuition and interest if contract fees is less than three years old) Kentucky 2001 Not Not available Not available Not available Program temporarily closed, new (Affordable available enrollments suspended until June 30, Prepaid Tuition 2004 at the earliest Plan) Maryland April 1998 9th grade or Up to five years of Weighted average $75 cancellation $75 to enroll, up to $2,500 of (Maryland (Nov.-Mar.) younger tuition and fees at state in-state public tuition fee. Refund is contributions per taxpayer per year state Prepaid College (Newborns public institutions and fees equal to 1) tax deductible, benefits must be used Trust) anytime) contributions and within 10 years of projected high 90% of school graduation earnings/losses after three years; 2) contributions and 50% of earnings/losses if cancelled within three years CRS-17 Date of How Is Contract Operation Age Value Determined and Restriction If Used for Private State and Enrollment on What Is Covered in or Out-of-State Program Name Period Beneficiary the Contract? Public Institutions? Refund Policy Comments Massachusetts (U. 1995 (May- 10th grade or Certificates worth up to Principal + annual Certificates only Not a qualified 529 plan, but earnings Plan) June) younger four years of tuition compound interest redeemable upon are exempt from state tax, no and fees at the highest equal to consumer maturity (between enrollment fee, no residency cost institution among price index 5 and 16 years). requirement, certificates must be 81 participating However, redeemed within six years of maturity, institutions certificates may be guaranteed by the state sold anytime. Michigan 1988 (Dec.- 8th grade or Up to four years of Weighted average of $100 cancellation $60 enrollment fee, $25 to $85 (Michigan April) younger for tuition and fees at state in-state public tuition fee. Only students application fee based on contact Education Trust) full benefit public institutions and fees who are 18 or have postmark date, contributions state tax contract, a high school deductible if postmarked by Dec. 31 of 10th grade diploma may tax year, benefits must be used within or younger terminate nine years of projected college entrance for limited contracts. benefit Depending on the contract reason for cancellation, refund value can be 1) the lowest; 2) the average; or 3) the weighted average of in-state public tuition CRS-18 Date of How Is Contract Operation Age Value Determined and Restriction If Used for Private State and Enrollment on What Is Covered in or Out-of-State Program Name Period Beneficiary the Contract? Public Institutions? Refund Policy Comments Mississippi 1997 18 years or Up to five years of Weighted average Contributions and $60 to enroll, contributions state tax (Prepaid (Sept.-Nov.) younger undergraduate tuition in-state tuition and 90% of interest deductible, benefits must be used Affordable (Newborns and fees at state public fees earnings refunded, within 10 years of projected enrollment College Tuition) anytime) institutions cancellation fee is date, guaranteed by the state the lesser of $25 or 50% of contributions New Mexico (The 2000 (Sept.- Contract Up to five years of The lesser of (1) the Contributions No enrollment fee. All contributions Education Plan of Dec.) must be tuition and fees at state average in-state refunded, plus a deductible from state income tax, for New Mexico) (Newborns purchased at public institutions undergraduate tuition reasonable rate of non-qualified withdrawals earnings anytime) least five and fees for the return (if account subject to 20% penalty, benefits must years before contract type, or (2) has been open for be used within 10 years of projected projected contributions plus a at least five years) college entrance date enrollment reasonable rate of return Nevada (Prepaid 1998 Under 18 Up to four years of Weighted average Contributions and $100 to enroll, benefits must be used College Tuition (Oct.-Nov.) and below tuition at state tuition and fees at 90% of interest within 10 years of projected college Plan Trust Fund) (Newborns 9th grade institutions in-state public earnings refunded, entrance date or the age of 30, account anytime) institutions up to $100 owner must be a state resident or cancellation fee alumnus of state college Ohio (Ohio 1989 Not Not available Not available Not available Program permanently closed Prepaid Tuition (Anytime) available Program) CRS-19 Date of How Is Contract Operation Age Value Determined and Restriction If Used for Private State and Enrollment on What Is Covered in or Out-of-State Program Name Period Beneficiary the Contract? Public Institutions? Refund Policy Comments Pennsylvania 1993 None Tuition credits for the Full value of the Only contributions $50 to enroll, $25 annual maintenance (Tuition Account (Anytime) chosen type of contract refunded within 12 fee, one-year waiting period, must be Program) institutions months. After, the used within 10 years of projected refund is the lesser college entrance date of the market or full value of the contract, but no less than contributions. South Carolina 1998 (Oct.- 10th grade or Up to four years of The lesser of the $100 cancellation $75 to enroll, benefits must be used (SC Tuition Jan.) younger tuition and fees at state value of the contract fee. Contributions before age 30, contributions state tax Prepayment (Newborns public institutions or the actual tuition and 80% of deductible Program) anytime) cost (plus $30 fee if earnings refunded school is out-of- for contracts of state) more than one year. Tennessee 1997 None Units can be purchased Weighted average Contributions + Up to $42 to enroll, two-year waiting (Tennessee BEST (Anytime) with each worth 1% of in-state tuition and 50% earnings period Tuition Plan) weighted average fees refunded minus tuition and fees at state $25 fee, no refund public institutions before beneficiary is college age Texas (Texas 1996 (Oct.- Not Not available Not available Not available Program closed to new enrollment, Guaranteed May) available existing plan contracts remain backed Tuition Plan) by the state CRS-20 Date of How Is Contract Operation Age Value Determined and Restriction If Used for Private State and Enrollment on What Is Covered in or Out-of-State Program Name Period Beneficiary the Contract? Public Institutions? Refund Policy Comments Virginia (Prepaid 1996 (Any 9th grade or Up to five years of Contributions and Within three years, $85 to enroll, up to $2,000 per year Education time) younger tuition at state public actual earnings up to only contributions state tax deductible, must be used Program) institutions the highest (average) refunded, less $100 within 10 years after high school, in-state public tuition penalty. After that, guaranteed by the state and fees for in-state refund includes private and contributions plus a out-of-state reasonable rate of institutions return Washington 1998 (Sept.- None Up to five years of Full value of the $10 penalty, refund $50 to enroll, two-year waiting period, (Guaranteed Mar.) tuition units at the contract can be requested must be used within 10 years of Education Univ. of Washington after two years of projected enrollment date or the first Tuition) and Washington State contract being in use of the units whichever is later, effect, refund guaranteed by the state amount either the current value or the weighted average tuition, subject to administrative fees West Virginia 1998 Not Not available Not available Not available Program closed as of Dec. 31, 2002 (WV Prepaid available College Plan) Source: Reprinted from [http://www.tiaa-crefinstitute.org/Data/statistics/pdfs/jma_prepaid.pdf], which relied on information contained in [http://www.collegesavings.org] and [http://www.savingforcollege.com] as well as in various states' websites. Note: Between Jan. 1, 2002 and Dec. 31, 2010, earnings in Section 529 prepaid tuition plans are exempt from federal income tax when used for QHEEs. Unless noted, earnings are exempt from state income tax as well and state residency is required from Section 529 prepaid tuition plans. "Waiting period" is defined as the amount of time an account needs to be open before qualified withdrawals can be made without penalty. CRS-21 Table A2. Comparison of State-Sponsored College Savings Plans (as of December 10, 2003) Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Alabama The Higher 2002 Option 1 (enrollment-based): $269,000 $25 annual fee + None $25 annual fee Education three enrollment-based portfolios between 0.90% and reduced to $10 for 529 Fund that shift away from equities and 1.24% underlying state residents and towards bonds and cash over time. fund fee waived for accounts Option 2 (static portfolios): with a balance of at 100% equities; 100% bonds, or least $25,000. Non- 50% cash + 50% bonds. Option 3 residents must open (individual fund portfolios): eight an account through an individual fund portfolios advisor Alaska University 1991 Option 1 (enrollment-based): $250,000 0.33% for Option 3. State has no $30 annual fee waived of Alaska multiple enrollment-based For other options, $30 income tax for accounts with College portfolios that shift away from annual fee + 0.30% investment in Option Savings Plan equities and towards bonds and program fee + 3, automatic cash over time. Option 2 (static between 0.52% and payments, or a portfolios): 100% equities; 100% 0.84% underlying combined balance of fixed-income; and 60% equities + fund fee at least $25,000 for 40% bonds, or 100% bond and the same beneficiary money market. Option 3 (advanced college tuition portfolio): prepaid plan for University of Alaska CRS-22 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Arizona Arizona 1999 Option 1: CollegeSure CDs with $187,000 No fee for Option 1. Earnings state $10 to enroll for each Family at least 2% return and FDIC For mutual funds, income tax mutual fund. College insured up to $100,000. Option 2: between 0.49% and exempt Maturity for Savings Investors choose from 10 mutual 2.1% underlying fund CollegeSure CDs Program funds including all-equity, all-bond, fee ranges from 1 to 25 all-money-market, and balanced years. CDs must be funds withdrawn within 30 years Arkansas GIFT 1999 Option 1 (age-based): 90% $245,000 $25 annual fee + Earnings state $25 annual fee waived College equities for youngest, 10% equities 0.60% management income tax for state residents and Investing for 19 and older. Option 2 (static fee + between 0.70% exempt accounts with a Plan portfolios): growth, growth and and 1.38% underlying balance of at least income, balanced, and fixed- fund fee $25,000. Non- income portfolios with 100%, 75%, residents must open 50%, and 0% in equities, an account through an respectively advisor California Golden State 1999 Option 1 (age-based): 80% $267,580 No fee for Option 5. Earnings state An additional state Scholar- equities for youngest, 20% equities For other options, income tax tax of 2.5% will be Share for 17 and older. Option 2 0.80% exempt imposed on earning of Trust (aggressive age-based): 100% non-qualified equities for youngest, 30% equities withdrawals. This for 19 and older. Option 3: 100% additional tax applies equities. Option 4: 100% Social to state residents Choice equities. Option 5: regardless which guaranteed with at least 3% return state's 529 plan the withdrawals are from CRS-23 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Colorado Scholars 1999 Option 1 (age-based): 80% $235,000 $30 annual fee + All $30 annual fee waived Choice equities for youngest, 10% equities between 0.99% and contributions for state residents for 19 and older. Option 2 1.09% state tax (years-to-enrollment-based): deductible. 60% equities if more than 10 years Earnings state from enrollment, 10% equities if income tax less than one year from enrollment. exempt Option 3 (balanced): 50% equities + 50% bonds. Option 4: 100% equities. Option 5: 100% fixed income. Option 6: 80% equities + 20% fixed income. Option 7: 80% fixed income + 20% equities Connecticut Connecticut 1997 Option 1 (aged-based): 80% $235,000 No fee for Option 3. Earnings state Higher equities for youngest, 20% equities For other options, income tax Education for 17 and older. Option 2 (high 0.79% exempt Trust equity): 80% equities + 20% bonds. Option 3 (principal plus interest): guaranteed with at least 3% return Delaware Delaware 1998 Option 1 (age-based): 88% $250,000 $30 annual fee + Earnings state $30 annual fee waived College equities for youngest, 20% equities 1.04% income tax for accounts with Investment for those already in college. exempt automatic payments Plan Option 2: 100% equities. Option or a balance of at least 3: 70% equities + 30% bonds. $25,000 Option 4: 45% bonds + 55% money market CRS-24 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc District of DC College 2002 Option 1 (age-based): 85% $260,000 $30 annual fee + Up to $3,000 $30 annual fee Columbia Savings Plan equities for youngest, 13% equities 0.15% management per taxpayer reduced to $15 for for 17 and older. Option 2: fee + between 0.35% per year residents. $25 Investors choose from six mutual and 1.70% underlying District tax enrollment fee for funds including all equity, all bond, fund fee (no deductible non-residents and balanced funds. Option 3 underlying fund fee (with carry- (stability of principal): for Option 3) forward up to guaranteed with at least 3% return 5 subsequent years). Earnings District tax exempt Florida Florida 2002 Option 1 (age-based): portfolios $283,000 0.75% State has no $50 application fee College that shift away from equities and income tax (reduced to $30 for Investment towards fixed income and cash over current Florida Plan time. Option 2: 100% equities. prepaid plan Option 3: 100% fixed income. participants) Option 4: 100% money market. Option 5: 50% equities + 50% fixed income CRS-25 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Georgia Georgia 2002 Option 1 (age-based): 80% $235,000 No fee for Option 5. Up to $2,000 State tax deductions Higher equities for youngest, 15% equities For other options, per beneficiary phase out between Education for 17 and older. Option 2 0.85% per year state $100,000 and Savings Plan (aggressive age-based): 100% tax deductible. $105,000 for joint tax equities for youngest, 15% equities Earnings state filers ($50,000 and for 23 and older. Option 3: 100% tax exempt, if $55,000 for single tax equities. Option 4 (balanced): account has filers). For non- 50% equities + 50% bonds. been open for qualified withdrawals, Option 5 (guaranteed): more than a contributions for guaranteed with at least 3% return year which previous state tax deductions were taken will be subject to state income tax Hawaii Tuition- 2002 Option 1 (age-based): 85% $297,000 No fee for Option 3. Earnings state $25 annual fee waived EDGE equities for youngest, 10% equities For other options, $25 tax exempt for residents or for 18 and older. Option 2 + 0.95% accounts with balance (static): aggressive, balanced, and of at least $10,000. conservative portfolios with 80%, Non-residents must 60%, and 40% in equities, open an account respectively. Option 3 (savings through an advisor account option): FDIC insured savings account CRS-26 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Idaho Idaho 2001 Option 1 (age-based): 75% $235,000 No fee for Option 3. Up to $4,000 The entire amount of College equities for youngest, 10% equities For other options, per taxpayer a non-qualified Savings Plan for 17 and older. Option 2: 100% 0.70% per year state withdrawal, including equities. Option 3: guaranteed tax deductible. both the earnings with at least 3% return Earnings state portion and the tax exempt principal portion, will be included in the owner's taxable income for state tax purposes Illinoisd Bright Start 2000 Option 1 (age-based): 90% $235,000 0.99% All College equities for youngest, 10% equities contributions Savings Plan for 18 and older. Option 2 (age- state tax based with bank deposits): similar deductible. to Option 1, with bank deposits. Earnings Option 3: 100% bonds. Option 4: exempt from 100% equities. Option 5: 50% state tax bonds + 50% bank deposits. Option 6: principal protection income portfolio CRS-27 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Indiana College- 1997 Option 1 (age-based): 90% $236,750 $30 annual fee + Earnings state $30 annual fee Choice 529 equities for youngest, 100% money administrative fees + income tax reduced to $10 for Plan market for 20 and older. Option 2 between 0.35% and exempt residents, reduced to (static portfolios): four portfolios 1.49% underlying $25 for accounts with 100% equities, two with 100% fund fees converted from bonds, one with 100% money former program, and market, one with 90% equities, one waived for accounts with 70% equities, one with 50% with automatic equities, and one with 30% payments or $25,000 equities. Option 3 (individual balance. $10 annual fund portfolios): 8 individual fund state authority fee for portfolios non-residents. Very complicated fee structures Iowa College 1998 Option 1(age-based): multiple $239,000 0.65% Up to $2,230 Beneficiary must be Savings portfolios available that shift away per taxpayer under 18 when Iowa from equities and towards fixed per year state account opened. income and cash over time. tax deductible. Account balance must Option 2 (statistic portfolios): 8 Earnings state be paid out within 30 portfolios including 100%, 80%, tax exempt days after a 60%, 40%, 20% equities; 100% beneficiary turns 30 bonds; 100% money market; and 80% bonds + 20% money market, respectively CRS-28 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Kansas Learning 2000 Option 1 (age-based): three age- $235,000 $27 annual fee + Up to $2,000 12-month waiting Quest based investment tracks 0.39% management per taxpayer period.e $27 annual Education (aggressive, moderate, and fee + between 0.47% per beneficiary waived for residents Savings conservative) available. Option 2 and 0.94% underlying per year state and for accounts with Program (two static portfolios): 100% fund fee tax deductible. a balance of at least equities or 100% money market Earnings state $25,000 tax exempt Kentucky Education 1990 Option 1 (age-based): 80% $235,000 No fee for Option 3. Earnings state A 1% Kentucky Savings Plan equities for youngest, 15% equities For other options, tax exempt penalty applies to Trust for 17 and older. Option 2: 100% 0.80% non-qualified equities. Option 3: guaranteed withdrawals with at least 3% return Louisiana Louisiana 1997 State treasurer's office invests $197,600 None Up to $2,400 Residency required. START mostly in fixed income securities per beneficiary 12-month waiting per year state period.e Up to 14% tax deductible matching grant with carry- available for accounts forward. with at least $100 Earnings state contributions during tax exempt the year CRS-29 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Mainef NextGen 1999 Option 1 (age-based): 90% $250,000 $50 annual fee + Earnings state $50 annual fee College equities for youngest, 10% equities 0.55% management tax exempt reduced to $25 for Investing for 20 and older. Option 2: 100% fee + between 0.77% payroll deposits and Plan equities. Option 3: 75% equities and 1.12% underlying waived for residents, + 25% fixed income. Option 4: fund fee accounts with annual 100% fixed income contributions of at least $2,500, or a balance of at least $20,000. Up to $200 initial matching grant and up to $100 annual matching grant available for families whose adjusted gross income is less than $50,000 Maryland Maryland 2001 Option 1 (age-based): multiple $250,000 $30 annual fee + Up to $2,500 $90 to enroll (may be College age-based portfolios available that 0.38% management per account reduced under certain Investment shift away from equities and fee + between 0.35% per year state conditions). $30 Plan towards fixed income and cash over and 0.96% underlying tax deductible annual fee waived for time. Option 2: 100% equities. fund fee (with carry- accounts with Option 3: 100% bonds. Option 4: forward up to automatic 60% equities + 40% bonds 10 succeeding contributions or a years). balance of at least Earnings state $25,000 tax exempt CRS-30 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Massachusetts U. Fund 1999 Option 1 (age-based): 86% $250,000 $30 annual fee + Earnings state $30 annual fee waived equities for youngest, 20% equities 1.03% tax exempt for accounts with for those already in college. automatic Option 2: 100% equities. Option contributions or a 3: 70% equities + 30% bonds. balance of at least Option 4: 45% bonds + 55% $25,000 money market Michigan Michigan 2000 Option 1 (age-based): 72% $235,000 No fee for Option 3. Up to $5,000 One-third matching Education equities for youngest, 13-15% For other options, per taxpayer grant (up to $200) Savings equities for 17 and older. Option 0.65% per year state available for new Program 2: 100% equities. Option 3: tax deductible. accounts with a state guaranteed with at least 3% return Earnings state resident beneficiary tax exempt who is 6 or younger, and whose family income is less than $80,000 CRS-31 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Minnesota Minnesota 2001 Option 1 (age-based): 72% $235,000 No fee for Option 3. Earnings state For accounts with at College equities for youngest, 13-15% For other options, tax exempt least $200 Savings Plan equities for 17 and older. Option 0.65% contributions made 2: 100% equities. Option 3: during the year, 15% guaranteed with at least 3% return state matching grant is available for state residents with family income less than $50,000 (5% matching rate for family income between $50,000 and $80,000). Annual maximum grant is $300 per beneficiary Mississippid Mississippi 2001 Option 1 (age-based): 72% $235,000 No fee for Option 3. Up to $10,000 Affordable equities for youngest, 18% equities For other options, per taxpayer College for 17 and older. Option 2: 100% 0.60% management per year state Savings equities. Option 3: guaranteed fee + between 0- 16% tax with at least 3% return and 0-23% underlying deductible. fund fee Earnings state tax exempt Missouri MO$T 1999 Option 1 (age-based): 72% $235,000 No fee for Option 3. Up to $8,000 (Missouri equities for youngest, 13-15% For other options, per taxpayer Saving for equities for 17 and older. Option 0.65% per year state Tuition 2: 100% equities. Option 3: tax deductible. Program) guaranteed with at least 3% return Earnings state tax exempt CRS-32 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Montana Montana 1998 Option 1: CollegeSure CDs issued $262,000 No fee for Option 1. Up to $3,000 State tax deductions Family by College Savings Banks with at For Option 2, $25 per taxpayer will be recaptured at Education least 2% return (maturity of CDs annual fee (waived per year state the highest state Savings needs to coincide with the expected for accounts with tax deductible. income tax rate if Program years of college attendance), FDIC automatic payments Earnings withdrawals are not insured up to $100,000 per account. or a balance of at least exempt from used for higher Option 2: investors choose from $25,000) + underlying state tax education or if 15 individual mutual funds and 5 fund fees withdrawals are made static portfolios within three years of account opening Nebraska Nebraska 2001 Option 1 (age-based): multiple $250,000 $20 annual fee + Up to $1,000 College age-based portfolios that shift away 0.60% management per year state Savings Plan from equities and toward fixed fee + up to 1.17% tax deductible income and cash over time. underlying fund fee ($500 if Option 2: six target portfolios married filing with 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, 20%, separately). and 0% equities, respectively. Earnings state Option 3: 22 individual fund tax exempt portfolios CRS-33 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Nevada The Strong 2001 Option 1 (age-based): three age- $250,000 $10 annual fee + State has no $10 to enroll 529 Plan based portfolios that shift away 1.25% (0.85% for income tax from equities and towards fixed Option 6) income and cash over time. Option 2 (aggressive): 90% equities. Option 3 (moderate): 65% equities. Option 4 (balanced): 50% equities. Option 5 (conservative): 30% equities. Option 6 (all bond): 100% bonds New Hampshire Unique 1998 Option 1 (age-based): 86% $250,000 $30 annual fee + State has no $30 annual fee waived College equities for youngest, 20% equities 1.04% income tax. for accounts with Investing for those already in college. Earnings automatic Plan Option 2: 100% equities. Option exempt from contributions or a 3: 70% equities + 30% bonds. state interest balance of at least Option 4: 45% bonds + 55% and dividends $25,000 money market tax New Jersey New 1998 Option 1 (age-based): 100% $305,000 0.40% management Earnings Residency required. Jersey's equities for the youngest, 0% fee + between 0.45% exempt from Between $500 and Better equities for 21 and older. Option and 1.17% underlying state tax $1,500 scholarship for Educational 2: three 100% equity portfolios. fund fee college in NJ Savings Option 3: 50% equities. Option available for accounts Trust 4: 80% fixed income + 20% cash. that have been open Option 5: 100% fixed income for more than four years and with at least $1,200 contributions CRS-34 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc New Mexico The 2000 Option 1 (age-based): 85% $294,000 $30 annual fee + All one-year waiting Education equities for youngest, 20% equities 0.30% management contributions period.e $30 annual Plan's for 19 and older. Option 2: 100% fee + between 0.53% state tax fee waived for College equities. Option 3: 100% bonds. and 1.22% underlying deductible. residents, accounts Savings Option 4: 100% money market. fund fee Earnings with automatic Program Option 5: five other static exempt from contributions or a portfolios with 85%, 70%, 55%, state tax balance of at least 40%, and 20% in equities, $10,000 respectively New York New York's 1998 Option 1 (age-based): 65% $235,500 0.55% to 0.60% all- Up to $5,000 three-year waiting College equities for youngest, 100% income inclusive management per taxpayer period.e Starting Savings for 19 and older. Option 2 fee, decreasing as per year state 2003, rollovers from Program (aggressive age-based): 100% program assets tax deductible. NY's 529 plan to equities for youngest, 35% equities increase Earnings another state's plan for 16-18, 100% income for 19 and exempt from will be considered older. Option 3 (conservative): state tax non-qualified 50% equities for youngest, 100% withdrawals for NY money market for 19 or older. income tax, meaning Option 4: 12 static portfolios, 8 of the earnings and the which invest in a single mutual contributions for fund, and 4 of which invest in a which previous state blend of funds tax deductions were taken will be subject to state income tax CRS-35 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc North Carolinad North 1998 Option 1 (age-based): portfolios $276,046 $25 annual fee + Earnings state $25 waived for Carolina's that shift away from equities and 0.25% management income tax accounts with National towards fixed income and cash over fee (0.10% for Option exempt automatic College time. Option 2: 100% equities. 1) + between 0.05% contributions or a Savings Option 3 (balanced): 40% and 1.28% underlying balance of more than Program equities + 60% fixed income. fund fee $1,000. Option 5 Option 4 (income fund): 100% requires a lump-sum fixed income. Option 5 (protected minimum stock fund): guaranteed with a 3% contribution of $1,000 return per year or 70% of the gain for a five-year period. in the S&P 500 Price Index over Non-residents must five years, whichever is greater. open an account Option 6: any of the 22 portfolios through an advisor used in the age-based option North Dakota College 2001 Option 1 (age-based): multiple $269,000 $30 annual fee + Earnings state $30 annual fee and SAVE age-based portfolios that shift away 0.50% management income tax 0.50% management from equities and towards fixed fee + between 0.68% exempt fee waived for state income and cash over time. and 1.22% underlying residents Option 2 (static portfolios): two fund fee aggressive growth portfolios with 90% equities and two balanced portfolios with 50% equities and 50% bonds CRS-36 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Ohio College 1989 Option 1 (age-based): 85% $245,000 No fee for Option 6. Up to $2,000 Residency required Advantage equities for youngest, 15% equities For others, 0.55% to per tax return for Option 6. Other Savings Plan for 21 and older. Option 2 1.34% per year state options are available (balanced): 60% equities + 30% tax deductible, to non-residents bonds + 10% cash. Option 3 with unlimited through an advisor. (growth): 85% equities + 15% carry-forward Beneficiary must be bonds. Option 4 (aggressive in future years. 18 or older when growth): 100% equities. Option Earnings state prepaid tuition units 5: 13 single-fund portfolios. tax exempt are redeemed Option 6: Guaranteed Savings Fund that is essentially a prepaid plan Oklahoma Oklahoma 2000 Option 1 (age-based): 72% $235,000 No fee for Option 3. Up to $2,500 College equities for youngest, 18% equities For other options, per account Savings Plan for 17 and older. Option 2: 100% 0.55% management state tax equities. Option 3: guaranteed fee + between 0.11% deductible. with at least 3% return and 0.13% underlying Earnings state fund fee tax exempt Oregon Oregon 2001 Option 1 (age-based): 90% $250,000 $30 annual fee + Up to $2,000 $30 annual fee waived College equities when 10 years or more 1.25% (0.975% for per year state for state residents, Savings Plan away from college, 10% equities the 100%-equity tax deductible accounts with when in college. Option 2 (static): portfolio) ($1,000 if automatic payments, six portfolios with 100%, 90%, married filing or a balance of at least 60%, 50%, 30% and 10% in separately). $25,000 equities, respectively Earnings state tax exempt CRS-37 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Pennsylvaniad TAP 529 2002 Option 1 (age-based): 85% $290,000 $25 annual fee + Earnings state $25 annual fee waived Investment equities for youngest, 10% equities 0.35% management tax exempt for accounts with Plan for 19 and older. Option 2 (age- fee + between 0.45% automatic based): 100% equities for and 1.69% underlying contributions or a youngest, 10% equities for 19 and fund fee balance of at least older. Option 3 (risk-based): five $20,000. Non- static portfolios with 100%, 80%, residents must open 60%, 40%, 0% in equities, an account through an respectively. Option 4 (socially advisor responsible): one bond portfolio and one equity portfolio Rhode Island College- 1998 Option 1 (age-based): 100% $301,550 $25 annual fee + Up to $500 per $25 annual fee waived Bound Fund equities for youngest, 25% equities between 0.70% and taxpayer per for state residents, for 19 and older. Option 2 1.67% underlying year state tax accounts with (age-based): similar to Option 1, fund fee deductible automatic with more equities. Option 3: with carry- contributions or a 100% equities (invested in forward to balance of at least aggressive funds). Option 4: future years. $25,000. Non- 100% equities (invested in growth Earnings state residents must open funds). Option 5: 60% equities + tax exempt an account through an 40% fixed income. Option 6: advisor 100% fixed income. Option 7: 9 single-fund portfolios CRS-38 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc South Carolina Future 2002 Option 1 (age-based): 100% $265,000 $25 annual fee + All $25 annual fee waived Scholar 529 equities for youngest, 15% equities 0.20% management contributions for state residents and College for 18 and older. Option 2: six fee + between 0.20% state tax employees. Non- Savings Plan portfolios with different equity and 1.23% underlying deductible. residents must open exposures. Option 3: three single- fund fee Earnings state an account through an fund portfolios tax exempt advisor South Dakota College 2002 Option 1 (age-based): 85% $305,000 0.65% for Option 1, State has no Non-residents must Access 529 equities for youngest, 5% equities 0.53% for Option 2 income tax open an account for 18 and older. Option 2 (real through an advisor return plus portfolio): 100% fixed-income Tennesseef Tennessee 2000 Option 1 (age-based): 75% $235,000 0.95% State has no BEST equities for youngest, 10% equities income tax. Investment for 17 and older. Option 2: 100% Earnings Savings equities exempt from Program state interest and dividends tax CRS-39 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Texas Tomorrow's 2002 Option 1 (age or enrollment- $257,460 $30 annual fee + State has no $30 annual fee waives College based): 90% equities for youngest, 1.0% for the age- income tax for state residents and Investment 15% equities for 15 and older. For based and blended accounts with Plan adult beneficiaries, 90% equities portfolios, 0.45% for automatic for 15 or more years away from the stable value and contributions or a enrolling in college, 15% equities if single fund portfolios balance of at least within two years of enrolling. $25,000. Non- Option 2: 60% equities + 40% residents must open fixed income. Option 3: 100% an account through an equities. Option 4: single-fund advisor options that offer 13 portfolios focusing on a single investment strategy or asset class Utah Utah 1997 Option 1: 100% State Treasurer's $280,000 No fee for Option 1. Up to $1,435 Only contributions Educational Investment Fund, which invests in For other options, up per beneficiary (up to the current Savings Plan money market securities. Option to $25 annual fee + per taxpayer balance) are refunded Trust 2: 100% index equities. Option 3: 0.25% management per year state if account is 100% bonds. Option 4: 100% fee if balance is tax deductible cancelled within two diversified equities. Option 5-9 greater than $5,000 (account must years of opening. (age-based): multiple age-based (0.75% otherwise) + be opened Benefit payout must portfolios available that shift away between 0.0275% and before the begin before the from equities and towards fixed 0.65% underlying beneficiary beneficiary turns 27, income and cash over time fund fee turns 19 for or 10 years after this benefit) opening the account, Earnings state whichever is later tax exempt. CRS-40 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Vermont Vermont 1999 Option 1 (age-based): 80% $240,100 No fee for Contributions Tax credit will be Higher equities for youngest, 15% equities Option 3. 0.80% for made after recaptured for non- Education for 17 and older. Option 2: 100% others. 2003 are qualified withdrawals Savings Plan equities. Option 3 (interest eligible for a income option): 100% fixed- tax credit that income securities is 5% of contributions of up to $2,000 per beneficiary. Earnings state tax exempt Virginia Virginia 1999 Option 1 (age-based portfolios): $250,000 Between 0.85% and Up to $2,000 $85 to enroll. Education multiple age-based portfolios 1.0% per account Benefits must be paid Savings available that shift away from per year state out within 10 years Trust equities and towards fixed income tax deductible after the and cash over time. Option 2: with unlimited projected high school 80% equities + 20% fixed income. carry-forward graduation date (or, Option 3: 60% equities + 40% in future years. for adults, 10 years fixed income. Option 4: 20% Unlimited after the account is equities + 80% fixed income. state tax opened) Option 5: 100% money market deduction for owners 70 and older. Earnings state tax exempt CRS-41 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc West Virginia Smart 529 2002 Option 1 (age-based): 100% $265,620 $25 annual fee + All $25 annual fee waived Plan equities for youngest, 20% equities 1.16% contributions for state residents and for 19 and older. Option 2: 100% state tax accounts with equities. Option 3: 80% equities deductible. automatic + 20% bonds. Option 4: 60% Earnings state contributions or a equities + 30% bonds + 10% stable tax exempt balance of at least value portfolio. Option 5 (stable $25,000. Non- value portfolio): aims to preserve residents must open principal and interest income an account through an advisor Wisconsin EDVEST 1997 Option 1 (age-based): 90% $246,000 $10 annual fee + Up to $3,000 $10 enrollment fee Wisconsin equities for youngest, 100% bonds 1.15% asset-based fee per beneficiary per portfolio (waived College for those who are less than two (0.90% for Option 7) per year state for accounts opened Savings years away from college. Option 2: tax deductible. through an employed- Program 100% index equities. Option 3: Earnings state sponsor plan). $10 90% equities + 10% bonds. tax exempt annual fee waived for Option 4: 70% equities + 30% accounts with bonds. Option 5: 50% equities + automatic 50% bonds. Option 6: 100% contributions or with bonds. Option 7 (stable value a balance of at least portfolio): primarily invested in $25,000 government bonds CRS-42 Current Lifetime Estimated Average First Date Account Annual Expenses Name of the of Investment Options Balance and Other Fees for State Tax State Program Operation for Direct-Sold Plansa Limit Direct-sold Plansb Advantages Commentsc Wyoming Wyoming 2000 Option 1 (age-based): 90% $245,000 $25 annual fee + State has no $25 annual fee waived College equities for youngest, 10% equities 0.95% management income tax for state residents or Achieve- for 22 and older. Option 2: 100% fee + between 0.85% accounts with a ment Plan equities. Option 3: 75% equities and 1.45% underlying balance of at least + 25% fixed income. Option 4: fund fee $25,000 50% equities + 50% fixed income. Option 5: 100% fixed income Source: Reprinted from [http://www.tiaa-crefinstitute.org/Data/statistics/pdfs/jma_savingsplans.pdf], which relied on information contained in [http://www.collegesavings.org] and [http://www.savingforcollege.com] as well as in various states' websites. a. The investment options listed in this table refer to those available to accounts opened directly through the program. More options may be available for accounts opened through an advisor or broker. b. Estimated expense charges apply to accounts opened directly through the program. Additional and/or higher fees may apply to accounts opened through brokers. c. The earnings of non-qualified withdrawals are subject to income tax at the distributee's rate in addition to a 10% federal penalty tax. d. Earnings on qualified withdrawals are subject to state tax if withdrawals are from an out-of-state plan. e. "Waiting period" is defined as the amount of time an account needs to be open before qualified withdrawals can be made without penalty. f. Earnings on qualified withdrawals are subject to state interest and dividend tax if withdrawals are from an out-of-state plan. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL31214