Whole Life Insurance or 529 Plans - The Choice for Funding a College Education

Whole life insurance is the workhorse of the insurance industry. It is designed to be in force throughout the life of the policyholder with the premium never changing.

It has often been compared to buying a home with a 30 year fixed rate mortgage where your monthly note containing your principal and interest never change throughout the life of the mortgage all the while your home equity is building up. 

Similarly, all the while your whole life policy is in force, your cash value is building up tax-free.

529 plans are best described as a way for parents to save money for tuition in a tax-deferred account. The state income tax break together with not having to pay federal income tax on your earnings have made these financial instruments attractive to some parents and grandparents.

Know the 529 Tax Deductions
However, given this current economic climate, some states may begin to restrict qualifications for the tax breaks by limiting the amount that you can claim as a tax deduction. 

You need to closely monitor the tax laws relative to this issue in your state. In addition, with returns on managed funds and FDIC insured plans being historically low, you simply may not get the value that you were promised.

The Difference Between a Whole Life Plan and a 529 Plan
Now contrast a whole life insurance plan with a 529 plan. As earlier mentioned, the growth in the cash value feature of the whole life insurance plan is guaranteed and builds up tax-free. 

And, because it is in the private sector, it is not subject to the whims of the politicians who not only decide who manages your funds but also how much you can declare as a tax deduction.

But, even more importantly, it must be emphasized that permanent whole life insurance is an asset that is guaranteed to grow each year as long as you continue to pay your premiums. It is not a commodity purchase with fluctuating returns.

529 Plans Can Lose Value
While many assets lost as much as 50% during the recessionary period, permanent whole life insurance has continued to grow. Therefore, in choosing a whole life plan, choose the largest face amount that you can afford. For unlike a 529 plan, a whole life insurance plan is self completing if you should die before your children are old enough to begin college. 

And, if you become seriously ill or disabled, with waiver of premium as a part of your policy, your premium will be paid for you.

So in choosing a permanent whole life insurance plan, you have a guaranteed, tax-free cash buildup, a face amount that would be paid to your beneficiaries if you should experience a premature death, and, if you become seriously ill or disabled the company would pay your premiums for you.


Which choice gives you the greatest piece of mind? Leave your comments below. Also, if you are in Illinois, call (773) 614-3201 for help in choosing the best Whole Life plan for you needs.

Stop Renting. Here's 7 Ways Get an Affordable Home

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the general accepted definition of affordable housing is for a household to pay no more than 30% of its annual income on housing.  A family that pays more than 30% of its income on housing are considered cost burdened and may have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation, and medical care. This post, however, focuses on home ownership as opposed to renting and will offer an overview on owning affordable housing while not having to pay no more than 30 per cent of your annual income for it.  In acquiring affordable housing and building equity, it depends on you and not on the mortgage lender. Here are 7 ways in which you can acquire affordable housing with a minimum down payment if you qualify for mortgage or how to do it if you don't qualify for a mortgage.  The ways to acquire affordable housing are as follows:   county down payment assistance,   city down payment assistance,   lease with an option to buy,   contract for deed,   owner will carry,   not-for-profit grant money,   and, a wraparound mortgage. Each of the seven ways represent a viable strategy for acquiring affordable housing whether you are going for a mortgage or not and should be looked into and discussed with a trusted adviser in detail. Remember. as a homeowner, you own equity and an appreciating asset; you have have peace and privacy; and, you have an estate that can be inherited by your survivors.  For a free consultation on homeownership, call (773) 614-3201