Episode 98: Planting Seeds for Education – College Savings Strategies Part 1: 529 Plans and Prepaid Tuition for Physicians

Episode 98 of Doctor’s Wealth and Wellness, hosted by Norm Wright, kicks off a two-part series on college savings strategies for high-income physicians, titled "Planting Seeds for Education" and centered on tax-advantaged options to combat soaring costs—where private nonprofit four-year colleges average around $45,000 in published tuition and fees for 2025-26 (with total cost of attendance often exceeding $65,000 including room, board, and other expenses per College Board data), leaving many physicians ineligible for need-based aid due to income thresholds. The episode explores three key approaches: (1) maximizing 529 plans for tax-deferred growth and federally tax-free qualified withdrawals (covering tuition, books, room/board), enabling high earners to superfund up to $95,000 per individual or $190,000 per married couple in 2026 via five-year gift tax averaging (based on the $19,000 annual exclusion, unchanged from 2025), with recommendations for low-fee plans like those in Utah or New York; (2) considering prepaid tuition plans (available in a limited number of states such as Florida, Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and others) to lock in current rates against inflation, offering FAFSA asset protection (counted at a low parent rate) but with drawbacks like reduced flexibility for out-of-state or non-college paths; and (3) strategically navigating FAFSA for high earners by protecting excluded assets (e.g., retirement accounts, primary home), timing income, and using net price calculators, while noting that simplified FAFSA rules since 2024-25 eliminate the old penalty for grandparent-owned 529 distributions impacting aid. Illustrated with physician examples (Dr. Maria, Dr. Kevin, Dr. Laura) and actionable steps like researching plans on Savingforcollege.com, practicing FAFSA inputs, or modeling projections, the episode highlights how these tools preserve retirement savings, avoid loans, and transform education funding into a lasting legacy amid 2026's financial landscape. It concludes with a challenge to pursue one strategy, share insights via email, or book a free consultation for family-specific projections, urging proactive seed-planting for future generations. Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectuses, summary prospectuses and 529 Product Program Description, which can be obtained from a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. Depending on your state of residence, there may be an in-state plan that offers tax and other benefits which may include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors. Before investing in any state's 529 plan, investors should consult a tax professional. If withdrawals from 529 plans are used for purposes other than qualified education, the earnings will be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty in addition to federal and, if applicable, state income tax. Examples in this episode are hypothetical and not representative of a specific individual.