Using a 529 Plan for Your Grandchild Without Losing Control

Episode 46 of The College Savings Podcast explores a powerful but often overlooked 529 strategy: grandparents opening and managing accounts for grandchildren. Hosts Lucas and Luna break down the financial aid implications, the new Secure Act 2.0 rules for treating grandparent-owned 529s as beneficiary income, and the control advantages for grandparents who want to maintain ownership. They walk through a concrete example of a $50,000 contribution by a grandmother in Florida, how it interacts with the gift tax annual exclusion, and the potential 5-year election. The episode also covers the risk of reduced financial aid eligibility and offers a practical framework for deciding whether the grandparent or the parent should own the account. Perfect for grandparents wanting to help with college without unintended tax or aid penalties. #529Plan #Grandparent529 #CollegeSavings #SecureAct2.0 #FinancialAid #GrandchildEducation #GiftTax #GenerationalWealth #EducationFunding #StudentAid #Fafsa #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #Finance #PersonalFinance #Investing #CollegeCosts #FamilyPlanning Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo