The Obama Administration is proposing a series of changes to 529 Plans, reports the LA Times, in order to encourage more middle class Americans to save money for college.
529 Plans allow you to contribute after-tax dollars, which then grow tax-free until withdrawal, as long as they are used for qualified education purposes.
(To learn more about 529 Plans, see Financial Aid Finder’s extensive section on College Savings and Prepaid Plans.)
According to the Treasury Department, only 5% of middle-income Americans take advantage of these plans, despite their lucrative tax benefits. Among high-income filers, however, one in three have a 529 account. The College Savings Plan Network reports that there are some 11 million 529 accounts to date, with more than $100 billion in assets.
The Oba...