August 29, 2024
How our 529 education savings plan can help you put your college dreams within reach
Families with college-bound children have a powerful option to help build up their savings and offset college cost inflation. A 529 education savings plan may help you save more than other options and set your child up for success.
How 529 plan accounts work
Designed for education
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings account designed to help you invest and save for your child's educational needs. 529 plans can be used at colleges, universities, graduate schools, vocational and trade institutions, continuing ed classes, and apprenticeship programs in the United States and internationally.1
Flexible and easy
Funds in a 529 account can be used to pay for qualified expenses, such as tuition, fees, room and board, textbooks, and computers. For primary and secondary schools, up to $10,000 can pay for tuition expenses.2 You can open a 529 account with as little as $250. Most plans allow regular, automatic contributions from your bank account, and family members, friends, and others can make gifts into your 529 account.
You retain control
Life happens. If your child doesn't need all of the funds or receives a scholarship, you can switch the beneficiary to another family member. In addition, 529 account holders can pay back up to $10,000 in student loans and can roll over up to $35,000 to a Roth IRA.3 You can also use them to fund your own education.
Why use a 529 account?
5 reasons to consider setting up a 529 plan account
1 Your money is invested and it can potentially grow tax free.4
2 529 accounts have no income, age, or state residency requirements.
3 Unlike UGMA/UTMA accounts, you retain control over your 529 account.
4 You can take advantage of special gifting flexibility, including lump-sum contributions of up to $90,000 for singles and $180,000 for couples filing jointly per beneficiary without triggering federal gift taxes.5
5 A 529 plan can work in concert with financial aid. Explore your options with our financial aid estimator.
4 unique features of John Hancock Freedom 529 plan
1 You may be eligible for in-state tuition at the University of Alaska.6
2 You receive creditor protection through the State of Alaska.7
3 You can use our Education Planning Center to receive college guidance from birth to graduation and search for scholarships.
4 Your contributions may qualify for a tax deduction or tax credit. In addition, nine states—Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania—allow you to deduct some or all of your contributions to John Hancock Freedom 529 plan on your state income-tax return.8
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Federal tax free
As long as it's used for qualified expenses, your money isn't taxed when withdrawn.
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State tax deductions
Many states also offer a full or partial tax deduction or credit for your contributions.8
How much do you need to save?
Cost of delaying saving for college
Cost of borrowing vs. saving
See how the John Hancock Freedom 529 portfolios stack up using Fund Compare
Compare up to five funds from John Hancock Investment Management or other firms across a wide range of performance and risk metrics. All data is supplied by Morningstar.
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Important disclosures
1 For a complete list of Eligible Educational Institutions, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) at ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home or the Federal Student Loan Program List at studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/international. 2 Some states don't consider withdrawals from a 529 plan to pay for primary or secondary school costs a permissible expense. The tax consequences of such payments will vary depending on state law and may include penalties. Please consult with a tax or legal professional. 3 Roth IRA rollovers are limited to the annual Roth maximum contribution limit and aggregate lifetime limit of $35,000. Other restrictions apply. Please consult your tax advisor for more information. 4 State laws and treatment may vary. Earnings on nonqualified distributions will be subjected to income taxes as well as a 10% federal penalty tax. Please speak with your tax professional for more information. 5 For 2024. The donor must elect that the gift be treated as having occurred over a five-year period in order for it to qualify for the federal gift tax exclusion. If additional gifts are made to the same beneficiary during this five-year period, a federal gift tax may apply. If the donor dies within this five-year period, a pro rata share will be included in the donor's estate for federal estate tax purposes. State gift and estate tax laws may vary. 6 As a John Hancock Freedom 529 account holder or beneficiary, you may qualify for in-state tuition at the University of Alaska, regardless of the state you live in. To qualify, you need to hold your account for at least the two years immediately preceding enrollment. Please refer to the Plan Disclosure Document for more information. 7 Each account is designed to be protected from the claims by creditors of the account holder and beneficiary, with the exception of contributions made to accounts after being in default of child support obligations for 30 days. Please refer to the Plan Disclosure Document for more information. 8 Consult your financial, tax, or other professional to learn more about how state-based benefits (including any limitations) would apply to your specific circumstances.
Investing involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. There are no guarantees that a fund's investment strategy will be successful or that education expenses will be met. Even if you contribute the maximum amount, there is no assurance that the money in your account will be sufficient to cover all the education expenses your Beneficiary may incur, or that the rate of return on your investment will match or exceed the rate at which education expenses may rise. The impact of inflation on education expenses is uncertain and could exceed the return on your investments in your Account. Please see the Plan Disclosure Document for additional risks.
Diversification cannot assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.
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