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Can a grandchild have more than one 529 account?

Writer Matthew Wilson

Can my child benefit from more than one 529 account? The short answer is yes — the same child can be the beneficiary of multiple 529 plan accounts.

Do I need separate 529 plan for each child?

Parents may use a single 529 plan account to save for more than one child, however, as long as they change the beneficiary when it’s time to pay for the next child’s college expenses. In most cases it makes sense to have a separate 529 plan for each child, but some parents may prefer to use a single plan.

Can you transfer 529 from child to grandchild?

As soon as a baby has a Social Security number, the child can become the beneficiary of a 529 account. However, when transferring a 529 plan from a grandparent to a grandchild, the account could be subject to a “generation-skipping” tax (see more below).

How many beneficiaries can you have on a 529 plan?

one beneficiary
“A 529 plan can only have one beneficiary,” Jessee says. “You cannot name multiple beneficiaries, like with an individual retirement account.”

Can I use 529 funds for a different child?

Parents can transfer 529 plan savings from one child to another without tax consequences by doing a plan-to-plan rollover or a beneficiary change. This flexibility is ideal for growing families and those who are uncertain about the future.

Can a 529 account be opened for a grandchild?

Opening a 529 account for your grandchild will have a limited impact, if any, on whether he or she can receive federal financial aid or other government grants or scholarships. Could the 529 plan I choose limit my grandchild’s college choices?

Can a child benefit from more than one 529 plan?

Can my child benefit from more than one 529 account? The short answer is yes — the same child can be the beneficiary of multiple 529 plan accounts. If several people — parents and two sets of grandparents, for instance — want to help fund a child’s education, they can either contribute to a single 529 account or set up separate plan accounts.

Are there any college savings plans for grandparents?

There are a number of strategies for grandparents to help, including the 3 tax-advantaged savings options below. Consider how they might impact the whole family: grandparents, the grandchildren, and you. The 529 college savings plan offers an appealing combination of tax advantages, control, flexibility, and minimal impact on student aid.

Can a 529 plan be considered a gift?

However, contributions to 529 plans are considered gifts to the account beneficiary, meaning they could be subject to the federal gift tax if they exceed the annual gift tax exclusion amount, which is $15,000 for an individual donor and $30,000 for a couple.