Saving for both retirement and putting kids through college sounds impossible, but with intense planning and commitment, you can make it happen.
A finely-tuned savings plan that begins early in adult life with disciplined savers who do not deviate from the plan can save enough money to send kids to college and save for retirement at the same time. According to a CNBC article, “Saving for college and for retirement isn’t impossible,” it won’t hurt to have generous grandparents but it can be done without them too.
The cost of education is going to be highest for parents with younger children. For a couple today with a newborn, it’ll cost $455,585 to send him or her to a four-year private institution. But the cost of a public institution will be $202,768.
Let’s take a look at a hypothetical married couple. They’re 28 years old with a newborn, and they want to have a second child in a couple of years. The couple has been working since age 22 and earns a total income of $60,000. Their salaries are growing, and they’ve also been adding to their 401(k)s since they've started working and earning an average annual rate of return of 6.5%.
In addition, the couple’s been saving for college since the birth of their first child and they’re earning an annual return of 6%. They can accumulate $6.5 million by age 65 if they start saving 15% of their salaries in their 401(k)s at age 22. That deferral rate includes the couple’s 12% contribution and a 3% company match. When the first child is born, the couple (at age 28) can reduce their retirement plan savings rate to 12.2% and start to invest the difference or about 2.8% of salary into a 529 college savings plan.
After the second child arrives when they’re 30, they will continue saving to their 401(k), but at 9.4%. The difference (5.6% of salary) continues to go toward the college savings plan.
When the first child begins her freshman year of college and the couple turns 46, they can up their retirement plan savings to 12.2% and continue to fund the college plan. After the youngest kid starts college, the parents can go back to their original 15% deferral rate into their retirement plans. They’ll need to keep that level of savings until they retire at age 65. Plus, it’s an even better picture if grandparents help.
A person can make a lump sum contribution of up to $70,000 or $140,000 for married couples filing jointly to a 529 if the gift is spread over five years. Let’s say that grandpa and grandma make a $140,000 gift to the college savings account after the birth of the first child, the couple can continue deferring 15% of their salaries into their retirement plans. So when they hit retirement at age 65, they'll have $7.8 million in their 401(k) accounts.
It’s also important for the grandparents to know that gifting to the grandkids’ 529 lets them take advantage of the estate planning benefit.
Even with this kind of intense savings plan, it is more likely that the couple described above will have enough money for a public school. A private college will still be a stretch, especially for two kids. It may be necessary for a student to take out a loan. Some studies suggest kids having a financial stake in their education may encourage them to take it more seriously.
For more information on Estate Planning, Asset Protection, IRA, 401(k), Retirement Planning, 529 Education Savings Plan; please click to my website
Comments