Page 37 - Flathead Beacon // 8.31.16

FINANCIAL CORNER JESSE RIGLER
MAKE THE MOST OF GIFTS TO GRANDCHILDREN
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the Compete Smart Manufacturing Conference Doesn’t Stay in Montana - It just starts here.
DID YOU KNOW THAT NATIONAL Grandparents Day is a little over a week away? While this “Day” is not as widely known as Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, it is nonetheless important, as it recognizes the key role that grand- parents play. If you are a grandparent yourself, you might expect some cards or phone calls or emails from your own grandchildren – but you will probably experience even greater enjoyment in the gifts you can give them. If you’re thinking of making a nancial gift, consider your options carefully.
To begin with, don’t forget about your own needs. As much as you love your grandchildren, you can’t a ord to pro- vide signi cant nancial gifts to them at the expense of your own retirement sav- ings or the resources you might need for health care or long-term care. So, review your budget to determine what you can a ord to give. This amount may change year by year, depending on your circum- stances, so you may want to review your potential gifts annually.
However, assuming you can a ord to give regularly to your grandchildren, how should you go about it? Here are a few possibilities:
• Establish a 529 plan. A college degree is a very good investment in your grand- children’s future – but higher educa- tion comes with high costs. If you want to help your grandkids go to college, you could establish a 529 plan. Earnings in a 529 plan can grow federal tax-free and will not be taxed when the money is taken out to pay for college. Plus, you may receive state tax incentives if you invest in your home state’s 529 plan. (However,
if withdrawals are not used for higher education expenses, the earnings por- tion is fully taxable and will incur a 10% penalty.)
Keep in mind, though, that a 529 plan could a ect your grandchild’s nancial aid. While a 529 plan owned by a grand- parents generally won’t be reported as an asset under the Free Application for Fed- eral Student Aid (FAFSA), withdrawals used for school will be treated as student income on the next year’s FAFSA, and so could lower your grandchild’s nancial aid package. So you could wait for your grandchild’s nal year of college, when he or she won’t be applying for future nan- cial aid, before you allow withdrawals from the 529 plan. (You may want to dis- cuss a 529 plan’s potential nancial aid impact with a nancial aid professional.)
• Contribute to a custodial account. You can give money to your grandchil- dren through a custodial account, known as UGMA or UTMA. These are irrevoca- ble gifts that minors gain control of at the age of majority. Be aware, then, that once they get the money, they can do with it as they choose, and their choices may be far di erent from what you had intended.
• Pay college bills directly. You can simply write a check to the college to help pay for your grandchild’s expenses.
By making any of these gifts, you can help your grandchildren move forward through life — and their journey can pro- vide you with the gifts of pride and joy.
Tax issues for 529 plans can be complex. Please consult your tax advisor about your situation. Edward Jones, its nancial advi- sors and employees cannot provide tax or legal advice.
CO-HOSTS
Jesse Rigler is a nancial advisor at Edward Jones in Kalispell.
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