There are two types of 529 plans: prepaid and savings. Prepaid plans allow one to purchase tuition credits, at today's rates, to be used in the future. Therefore, performance is based upon tuition inflation. Savings plans are different in that all growth is based upon market performance of the underlying investments, which typically consist of mutual funds. Most 529 savings plans offer a variety of age-based asset allocation options where the underlying investments become more conservative as the beneficiary gets closer to college-age.

There are many advantages to the 529 plan:

First, although contributions are not deductible from the donor's federal income tax liability, many states provide state income tax deductions for all or part of the contributions of the donor. Beyond the potential state income tax deduction possibilities, a prime benefit of the 529 plan is that the principal grows tax-deferred and distributions for the beneficiary's college costs are exempt from tax. In some states, contributions are deductible to the donor.

Second, the donor maintains control of the account. With few exceptions, the named beneficiary has no rights to the funds. Most plans even allow you to reclaim the funds for yourself any time you desire, no questions asked. (However, the earnings portion of the "non-qualified" withdrawal will be subject to income tax and an additional 10% penalty tax).

Third, a 529 plan can provide a very easy hands-off way to save for college. Once one decides which 529 plan to use, one completes a simple enrollment form and makes a contribution (or signs up for automatic deposits). The ongoing investment of the account is handled by the plan, not by the donor. Plan assets are professionally managed either by the state treasurer's office or by an outside investment company hired as the program manager. The donor will not receive a Form 1099 to report taxable or nontaxable earnings until the year you make withdrawals. If an investment switch is desired, donors may change to a different option in a 529 savings program every year (program permitting) or the account may be rolled over to a different state's program provided no such rollover for the beneficiary has occurred in the prior 12 months.

529 plans generally have very low minimum start-up requirements and low contributions. The fees, compared with other investment vehicles, are low, although this depends on the state administering the plan.

Finally, everyone is eligible to take advantage of a 529 plan, and the amounts that can be put in are substantial (over $300,000 per beneficiary in many state plans). Generally, there are no income limitations or age restrictions.

As uz tai, kad vaikas pats uzsidirbtu savo mokslam, o ne is tevu kisenes nes tada ir vertins moksla kitaip ir mokintis stengsis..
Zinau, kad amerikoj kiek kitokia sistema ir t.t., bet mano nuomone viena ir ta pati - mokslus baigt reiks, bet kaip - jau sumastyt tures pats pasirupint [meh]
Todel teveliai, bent jau mama va, taupyt anksciau laiko nieko neketina

As nesakau, kad nepadesiu, bet bent jau vaikas tikrai nebus tikras, kad 100% tevai(jei vdrug ka) sumokes
Mane mokino paciai kapanotis, tai ir as mokint noriu to paties...
Siaip tevai uz mano mokslus mokejo.. bet pries tai zinojau, kad turec pasistengt kad nereiktu niekam moket.. todel ir savajam ta pati meginsim idiegt bent kol kas taip galvoju.. Aisku, kai tas maziuks bus ir kai prades eit mokyklon.. viskas priklausys nuo vaiko... gal ir mamos nuomone pasikeis susvelnes... o gal ir atvirksciai pagyvensim - pamatysim!
Skirias mokymo sistem Amerikoj.. todel sunku net ka ir sakyt, kaip pasielgsim ir ka darysim, kai reiks vaikui mokslo saknis skint...
Viena aisku, kad nieks dykaduoniaut neleis