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September 01, 2001 at 08:00 PM
How does a quarter million dollars or more sound for a college education? Scary? Well, if your clients’ children or grandchildren are under age two, it could cost them that much to attend a private university. Many parents are only vaguely aware of the escalating costs of a college education. According to a College Board report, Trends in College Pricing 2000, college tuition inflation in the past decade averaged approximately six percent per year, while general price inflation averaged only three percent. For the 2000-2001 academic year, the average tuition, room and board charged by public (in-state) and private four-year colleges and universities was $8,470 and $22,541, respectively. Assuming a 6% college price inflation rate into the future, the average cost of a four-year education at a four-year private institution for a student enrolling eighteen years from now could well be over $280,000, and the average price of a four-year education at a four-year public higher education institution could be nearly $106,000.
| Getting Credit |
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| There are two tax credits intended to subsidize post-secondary education costs: the Hope Scholarship credit and the Lifetime Learning credit. The Hope credit equals 100% of the first $1,000 paid for college tuition and fees (not including room and board), plus 50% of the next $1,000. So the maximum credit is $1,500. However, the credit is phased out if your AGI exceeds $40,000, or $80,000 if you are married and file jointly. Phase-out is complete–which means no credit–at AGIs of $50,000 and $100,000, respectively. Also, one can only use the Hope credit for the first two years of college. There is no limit on the number of years you can claim the Lifetime credit, but it can’t be used for a student already taking advantage of the Hope credit for the same year. The Lifetime credit equals 20% of out-of-pocket tuition and related expenses up to $5,000. So the maximum credit is $1,000. After 2002, the maximum amount of expenses you can take into account will increase to $10,000, which translates into a maximum credit of $2,000. The AGI phase-out rules for the Lifetime credit are the same as for the Hope credit. However, unlike the Hope credit, the Lifetime credit is calculated on a per-family, rather than a per-student, basis. This means that the maximum available credit does not vary with the number of students in the family. More information can be found in IRS Publication 970: Tax Credits for Higher Education. |
For many parents, the cost of a college education is one of the most daunting financial burdens they will bear, outside of saving for retirement. It is important for them to begin saving as soon as possible. Fortunately, there are many savings vehicles available now that provide incentives to save for college, and the financial planning community is becoming well versed in the alternatives available to clients. That’s not to say that the alternatives are simple to understand.
For example, the 1996 introduction of Section 529 college savings programs was intended to help families’ savings keep pace with the price inflation of a college education. These programs offer tax incentives to those who participate, including the ability to have funds in 529 plans grow tax-deferred. The Economic Growth and Tax Reconciliation Act of 2001 makes 529 plan distributions exempt from federal tax, starting January 1, 2002. The government has also granted favorable tax treatment to other savings programs to encourage families to save for college. In particular, the new tax law expanded the annual contributions limits on the Education IRA starting in 2002. What works best for your clients will depend on their specific saving needs as well as consideration of their tax situation and investment preferences.
Providing sound advice entails investigating and assessing all available funding choices. This article provides several numeric simulations comparing Section 529 plans with other savings vehicles, and will show the impact of the new tax law on the results.
Other college savings options include state prepaid tuition programs, Education IRA, Classic and Roth IRAs, mutual fund and custodial accounts, and 401(k)/403(b) plans. Each of these savings alternatives has different features and requires careful examination. (See Comparison chart on page 60.)
While the primary objective of saving for college is having the means to pay for tuition and room and board, investment control, taxes, and other factors must also be considered. The bottom line is finding the most efficient method to cover the college costs that the client expects to incur. Note that there are also tuition tax credits that some can take advantage of when paying for college. These tax credits are relative to the total amount of tuition expenses paid by a taxpayer. Possible coordination with other savings plans must be managed so that there is no dual tax benefit for the same expenses. (See “Getting Credit” below.)
As an advisor, you can help clients in two vital general areas. First is assessing the anticipated cost of college, identifying what portion of the costs should become the targeted goal, and then determining the assets needed to fund the goal. Assumptions about the rate of inflation (for college costs) and the rate of return on savings must also be made. Second, it’s necessary to decide which vehicle(s) to use–i.e., which savings plans, or combination of plans, best suits the individual client’s needs.
| What’s What |
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| A glossary of terms relating to college funding. Section 529 College Savings Plans – Named after the section in the tax code that created them, these state-sponsored plans provide a tax-advantaged way to save for higher education and have generous savings limits. Section 529 plans offer federal and state tax deferral on earnings and now as a result of the 2001 Tax Relief Act, tax-free distributions for “qualified” higher education expenses will be allowed, starting in 2002. There are two types of 529 plans: tuition savings plans and prepaid tuition plans. Tuition savings plans generally invest in a portfolio of stocks, bonds, and money market securities. Prepaid tuition plans usually allow the plan purchaser to buy future tuition credits at today’s price, sometimes at a discount. 529 plans may also be useful as estate planning tools. Anyone can contribute up to $10,000 per year without triggering gift tax, assuming they do not give any other gifts to the beneficiary in the same year. A special provision allows the account owner to contribute up to $50,000 in one year and treat the amount as being given pro rata over five years. Series EE Savings Bonds and Series I Savings Bonds – Series EE and I savings bonds are issued by the U.S. Treasury and backed by the U.S. government. These bonds earn interest at market-based rates for 30 years. Interest is added to the redemption value each month and paid to the investor when the bond is redeemed. Series EE savings bonds are available through financial institutions at 50 percent of face value. Series I savings bonds are sold at face value and grow in value with inflation-indexed earnings, their semiannual inflation adjustments helping to protect investors’ purchasing power. For qualified taxpayers, the “Education Bond Program” introduced in 1990 allows earnings on these bonds to be fully or partially excluded from federal income tax when the proceeds are used to pay for tuition and fees at an eligible post-secondary institution. These bonds offer generous savings limits. Investors can purchase up to $30,000 worth of I bonds and up to $15,000 worth of EE bonds per year. They also are liquid and can be turned into cash any time after six months. Education IRA – A trust or custodial account set up to pay for the higher education expenses of a designated beneficiary under age 18. The recent tax act increased the annual limit on contributions from $500 to $2,000 per year, per child starting in 2002. The Education IRA allows the savings to grow and be withdrawn federally income tax-free, if used for the payment of elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educational expenses. Individuals can now contribute to both a Section 529 plan and an Education IRA in the same tax year on behalf of the same beneficiary. Classic and Roth IRAs – A trust or custodial account set up by an individual for his or her retirement. When it comes to tax advantages, Classic IRAs are an excellent alternative for the first $2,000 a year in education savings–but only if one can deduct the contribution from current taxable income (Note, this contribution limit will gradually increase to $5,000 a year by 2008.). Otherwise they’re not especially useful. On the other hand, existing IRA accumulations (plus any money you can move to a classic IRA from other tax-deferred plans) may be a good source of education funds. Assets in Classic and Roth IRAs are not considered in the calculation for financial aid. However, using Classic and Roth IRAs to pay for college means less money will be available for retirement. 401(k) Plans – 401(k) plans offer tax reduction on contributions, investment flexibility, and much higher contribution limits than Classic and Roth IRAs. One advantage is the ability to borrow against 401(k)s, which have a fairly easy approval process. Further, the terms of the loan are usually very flexible. The loan may be used for any purpose, such as college expenses, and the loan repayment period can be up to five years. However, there are some disadvantages. One disadvantage is that for some vehicles, the amount borrowed will not accrue any earnings during the loan period. Another drawback is that if the borrower leaves the current employer, he/she may have to pay off the loan immediately. However, the major disadvantage of this option is that a person is touching funds that are normally earmarked for retirement, which may mean less accumulations used for income in the retirement years. Borrowing money against one’s retirement account is basically borrowing one’s own retirement money. For unpaid loans, a 10 percent early withdrawal penalty on earnings in addition to income tax applies. Financial professionals should only advise clients to consider this option as a last resort. Uniform Gift to Minors Accounts (UGMA) – UGMAs are custodial accounts whereby any adult can transfer funds to a child. In most cases, any adult can also be the custodian of the account, though some states require the child’s parent or guardian to be custodian. A custodial account allows the parent or guardian to select the investment(s) and thus may allow a more aggressive asset selection than those used by the 529 plans. A custodial account does entitle each donor to an annual gift tax exclusion of $10,000 per year. This amount does potentially allow individuals to save adequately for college costs. However, if a child reaches majority age and decides that a car is better than college, the child is entitled to drive off into the sunset. Loss of control of the assets, in some cases, may discourage parents or guardians from using this method. Where control is perceived as a serious issue, keeping the account in the parent’s or guardian’s name may be a better solution. Mutual Funds – Although there are no special tax benefits for saving for education with mutual funds, they may appeal to some investors in their own right: 1) There is no income restriction and no savings limit. 2) Investors have complete control of the account and over investment decision. 3) Funds may be withdrawn at any time for any purpose. Mutual funds provide the benefits of diversification, liquidity, and professional money management. Source: TIAA-CREF Institute: www.tiaa-crefinstitute.org |
Financial Aid, Anyone?
Before we examine the advantages and disadvantages of a number of college savings alternatives, we’ll take a moment to discuss the matter of financial aid and how it relates to college savings in general. Financial aid is intended to make up the difference between what a family can afford to pay and actual college costs. According to the College Board, nearly 60% of the students currently enrolled in colleges and universities are receiving some financial aid, and more than 60% of all financial aid is in the form of loans. Loans, of course, must be repaid. Similar to financing the purchase of a house, most families pay for college through a combination of savings, current income, and borrowing. This means that the more one saves, the less that individual will need to borrow, and the less that is needed from current income.
Does saving now hurt one’s financial aid chances in the future? Despite what some financial experts say, saving pays, even when it comes to receiving financial aid. The Department of Education defines a student’s financial need as the difference between Cost of Attendance (COA) and Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is the amount a student and his or her family are expected to pay “out of pocket” for college expenses. The EFC formulas assess about 6% of a parent’s assets each year. That is, the formulas assume that 6% of parent’s assets are available each year to help pay for college. However, if the assets are in the child’s name, the EFC formulas assume 35% of the assets are available for college expenses. Also, in calculating a student’s EFC, 50% of the student’s income is considered available to help pay for college expenses. Therefore, when examining the savings options, it may be best to consider assets that are not held in the child’s name. In general, families with greater savings will probably be in a better financial situation overall and may find they have more options in making college choices. Any savings is likely to impact a student’s eligibility for need-based financial aid. Note that private schools may have their own rules for their institutional financial aid. Also, each state may have its own rules for its state aid and some states may give favorable financial aid treatment to funds in 529 plans.
Considering the Alternatives
Simulations conducted by Jennifer Ma and Douglas Fore at TIAA-CREF Institute, a research and education entity that is part of the TIAA-CREF group, compared potential after-tax accumulations over a six-, 12-, and 18-year time horizon for Section 529 plans, mutual funds, Series I savings bonds, and Education IRAs. When comparing the 529 plan with mutual funds, the research assumes that the asset allocation strategy for both would be that of New York’s College Savings Program Managed Allocation Option for 2001. This age-based allocation strategy is meant to be representative of age-based allocation strategies used in tuition savings plans across the nation. (New York’s Managed Allocation Option allocation mix begins with a portfolio consisting of 75% equities and 25% bonds for a newborn. Rebalancing every two years, the portfolio will consist of 55% equities and 45% bonds when the child is six, and will drop to 40% equities and 60% bonds by the time he or she is 12.) Please note that the assumptions used for the simulations are described in the tables provided. (See Table 1 above.)
According to the simulations, accumulations in the Section 529 plan are consistently greater than those in comparably managed mutual funds employing the same asset allocation strategy. In addition, the advantage of saving through the 529 plan increases over time. Assuming identical annual contributions deposited at the start of each year, at a six-year time horizon the advantage of saving with the 529 plan varies between 4.9% and 10.2%, depending on the family’s tax bracket. Twelve years away from college, the advantage ranges from 9.5% to 20.9%. When families have a full 18 years to save for college, the advantage extends from a low of 14.7% to a highof 34.2%. (See Table 2, page 62.)
