If the beneficary does not go to school it is there money at age 30. They can then pass it to one of there kids tax free for there college costs. If the first beneficary dicides to take it out at age 30 it is a  10% penalty.  

At least this is the way I understand it.

[quote=Greenbacks]

If the beneficary does not go to school it is there money at age 30. They can then pass it to one of there kids tax free for there college costs. If the first beneficary dicides to take it out at age 30 it is a  10% penalty.  

At least this is the way I understand it.

[/quote]

There?  Where?

You have to just LOVE professors like that - do tell - name names, what university, etc.



Bet it’s not Wharton.



I’m not a “referred advisor” since that’s really all about Joe Hurley making some dough (in other words, there’s a buy-in and an annual fee) but he really does have a pretty comprehensive website devoted to 529 plans at savingforcollege.com



Name names, please!

[quote=madabroker]

Bet it's not Wharton.

[/quote]

Speaking of Wharton.  How many of you have attended the Securities Industry Institute at Wharton?

You may want to look into it.

Suffolk, you are getting incorrect information from both Suffolk and Greenbacks and correct info from Madabroker and a useless post from DAtoo (Putsy) and your guess is not correct.

The money belongs to the owner of the 529 plan.  He can use it for any purpose that he would like.  If that purpose is anything other than higher education expenses for the beneficiary, the account will be taxed as inwine and a 10% penalty will apply. 

In this case, even if the beneficiary goes to college, the account owner would not have to use the money for college.  The money will continue to grow tax deferred and when used for retirement will be both taxed and penalized.

If the beneficary does not go to school it is there money at age 30. They can then pass it to one of there kids tax free for there college costs. If the first beneficary dicides to take it out at age 30 it is a  10% penalty.  

The age of the beneficiary has no relevance.  The beneficiary can't do anything with the money because they don't own it.  They can't pass it onto their kids and they can't take it out.  The owner of the account has complete control.  They can switch beneficiaries to somebody who is related to the previous beneficiary.  They can also withdraw the money and pay taxes and penalties or they can have the money be sent to the beneificiary who would have to pay taxes and penalties.

Interestingly enough, when the owner switches beneficiaries from, for example, his son to his grandson, it is treated as a gift from the son and could create gifting issues for the son despite the fact that the son never owned the money nor had control of it.

Don't use logic in trying to understand 529 plans.

[quote]

Suffolk, you are getting incorrect information from both Suffolk and Greenbacks and correct info from Madabroker and a useless post from DAtoo (Putsy) and your guess is not correct.

[/quote]

Well, seeing as I have never commented on 529 plans becuase I am not qualified to talk about them I suspect you don't know what may or may not be correct yourself.

You suspect that I’m wrong simply because you’re not qualified?  Thanks for letting us know.

Anon is correct on the 529.  The OP is probably confused between that and the rules for the Coverdell Savings account, which of course he should learn about by calling an 800 number at Vanguard and investing only in index funds.   No point in having an advisor explain the differences and tax ramifications of both plans and help you decide which one would be best for your own personal circumstances.

so if the custodian keeps the money in the 529 account they can’t withdraw it penalty free when they hit age of retirement?? 

You have your terminology wrong.   It is the account owner and not a custodian.  It would only be a custodian if the child was the owner of the account.

The owner can't withdraw it at retirement penalty free or tax free.