GraduateThere are two types of 529 plans.  The first type is basically a  tax-free investing account, where you can choose from a variety of mutual funds and whatever is in the account when your kid matriculates is what they have to spend on college.  The second type is basically a way to pre-pay tuition.  Both types can be available in the same state and depending on the terms, willingness to take investment risk, and choice of college, either one could be right for you.  States are not the only entities with 529 plans.  Private businesses can also start them, such as the Vanguard 529 Plan.  The Private College 529 Plan is a private business with a 529 plan, but unlike the Vanguard plan, it is a pre-paid type of plan.

 

Downside of Private 529 Plans

One significant downside of these private plans is that you don't get a state tax deduction for contributions.  That isn't insignificant.  I save about $500 a year on a $10,000 contribution to my state 529 plan.  Don't give that up lightly if your state offers a solid deduction for contributions.  Some states (Missouri, Arizona, Kansas, Maine, and Pennsylvania) have enacted “tax parity” laws, so you can contribute to another 529 plan and still get a state tax deduction, but these are still pretty rare.

 

Downside of Pre-paid Tuition Plans

A downside of pre-paid tuition plans is that just like pensions with many business and governmental entities, there have to be the funds in place to pay the bill.  Alabama has already flaked out on its pre-paid tuition plan (now guarantees only the 2010 tuition rates) and many other states have closed theirs.  It turns out it is hard to get investment returns sufficient to cover the rapidly rising cost of tuition, whether you do it yourself or hire a pre-paid 529 plan to do it.

 

How Private 529 Plans Work

The Private College 529 is interesting in that it doesn't have the usual limitation of pre-paid tuition plans- that you have to attend a university in your state's university system.  You have a choice of 270 private colleges, including Stanford, Princeton, Rice, Duke, and many other well-known schools.  When you make contributions to the plan, you get “tuition certificates,” a bit of funny money.  After 36 months, you can redeem the certificates at any of the schools (you don't have to choose when you make the contribution.) $30K might buy you a whole year's education at one school, but only 3/4 of a year at another school.  It appears that the amount you contribute is compared to the cost of tuition for that given year, then increased each year at the rate at which tuition goes up.  I believe this is individualized for each school, so if Stanford tuition goes up at 8% a year and Princeton tuition goes up at 5% a year, you'll get a better deal if your kid chooses Stanford.

The money is actually invested in Oppenheimer funds.  If the money grows at more than the tuition rate (after-fees) the school makes out like a bandit.  If it doesn't the school is still obligated to accept the tuition certificates, even if they later withdraw from the program.  The fact that the money is invested in Oppenheimer funds (not exactly my favorite mutual fund company) should be concerning to you if you should decide you don't want to go through with the plan and send your kid to one of these private schools.  If you decide to send the kid to the local State U, you get a refund, but the refund is capped at a gain or loss of 2% per year.  The downside protection is nice (especially since Oppenheimer is doing the investing), but your money may not even be growing at the rate of inflation the whole time it was in the plan, even if tuition skyrockets.  Just like the state takes the risk in a state pre-paid tuition plan, the school eventually selected takes the investment risk in this plan.

 

Don't Forget Costs of  Rent

You or your kid will still need some money outside of this plan, since it only covers tuition and mandatory fees.  It doesn't cover books or living expenses, which can be paid for by a typical 529 plan.

 

Benefits of Private 529 Plans

All that said, this is a fantastic opportunity for those who'd like to send their child to an expensive private school.  If tuition continues to go up at 5-6% as it has the last 10-20 years, then this essentially represents an investment return of 5-6%.  The most serious risk is that your kid attends a public university and you're stuck with the guaranteed -2 to 2% return that you get when you ask for a refund (such as a rollover to a typical 529 plan.)

 

Some Possible Strategies

One smart approach might be to contribute to your state 529 plan up to the maximum deduction, then put additional money into this plan.  That way you're still getting your maximum state tax break, but still possibly be able to take advantage of relatively high, guaranteed returns.  The Wall Street Journal article mentions an advisor who uses this plan for the fixed income portion of his 529 money, figuring the likelihood of tuition going up at a rate lower than the going rate on bonds is pretty low.  He then presumably puts the equity portion into a state 529 plan.  That isn't much of an option for me, since I take a lot of risk with my 529 plans (100% equity for my 8, 6, and 3 year old).  But there is a third way to take advantage of this plan.  I could use my state plan for 10-15 years, taking advantage of higher equity returns and the state tax break.  Then, 3 years or so before matriculation, (assuming the kid looks like he can get into Stanford or similar and would actually want to go there), move the money into the Private College Plan for the last few years rather than moving to a less aggressive asset allocation in a state 529 plan.

All in all, the relatively new Private College 529 Plan should be considered for at least part of your college funding if a private college is a serious consideration for your child.

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