General FAQs
Why choose a 529 plan to save for education?
What are the primary benefits of a 529 plan?
Who retains control of the money?
Does a 529 plan affect financial aid?
Is financial aid impacted if the 529 plan is held by a grandparent or anyone else?
What if the beneficiary does not attend college?
Can multiple people open separate accounts for the same beneficiary?
What if the beneficiary gains a scholarship?
Can I have 529 plans in multiple states?
What is the current interest rate being offered by the TIAA-CREF Life Funding Agreement?
MI 529 Advisor Plan (MAP) operational specific FAQs
What investment options are offered?
What is the initial deposit requirement for MAP?
How to enroll in electronic delivery documents?
Where can I obtain 529 specific forms?
What tools/calculators are available to help make 529 plan decisions?
What are the various ways to contribute to MAP?
How can I participate in a crowdfunding/gifting program?
What types of fees and expenses are involved with investing in MAP?
Why is the Plan Description important?
How are refunds of tuition and other qualified expenses handled?
Tax FAQs
What are the tax benefits to Michigan residents?
Is there a penalty for a non-qualified withdrawal?
General FAQs
What is a 529 plan?
A 529 plan is an education savings plan operated by a state or educational institution designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs. It is named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code which created these types of savings plans in 1996. The MI 529 Advisor Plan (MAP) is offered by the State of Michigan. TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI) is the Program Manager and Nuveen Securities, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC, is the Distributor.
Why choose a 529 plan to save for education?
- Tax advantaged growth
- Potential for state tax deductions
- Estate planning benefits
- Reduced gift tax
- Tax-free withdrawals
Learn about the top 10 reasons to save with the MI 529 Advisor Plan.
What are the primary benefits of a 529 plan?
- Flexibility
- Transfer account balance from one beneficiary to another
- Fund selection, portfolio construction, asset allocation and performance monitoring for the plan
- Broad range of portfolio options
Who can be a beneficiary?
The beneficiary must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien with a valid social security number or other taxpayer ID number. The beneficiary doesn't have to be related to you and doesn't have to live in the same state as you or in the programs sponsor state. As an account owner, you can also name yourself as beneficiary and use the money for your own education.
Who retains control of the money?
The account owner retains control of the account. Unlike certain other types of college savings vehicles, MAP allows you to maintain ownership and control over your account. Only the account owner may make a withdrawal or complete other transactions, account elections and profile changes.
Who can be an account owner?
One of the many benefits of MAP is its versatility. Any U.S. citizen or resident (plus residents of Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands) with a valid social security number or tax identification number — can open accounts for the benefit of anyone. You can even open an account for yourself and change the beneficiary at any time to another qualified family member.
How can withdrawals be used?
Qualified withdrawals are intended to pay for qualified higher education expenses at an eligible educational institution that occurred after the account was initially established. Withdrawal requests should be submitted to MAP no later than December 31 of the calendar year that the expenses were paid/incurred.
Does a 529 plan affect financial aid?
Assets in accounts owned by a dependent student or one of their parents are considered parental assets on the FAFSA. When a school calculates the student's Student Aid Index (SAI), previously called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), a maximum of 5.64% of parental assets are counted. This is quite favorable compared to other student assets, which are counted at 20%.* Higher SAI typically means less financial aid.
Being the account owner or beneficiary of an account may adversely affect the ability to receive financial aid or other benefits under government programs or from a school (consult with your clients about financial-aid eligibility).
Is financial aid impacted if the 529 plan is held by a grandparent?
For the 2024/2025 award year, assets held in a 529 account owned by a grandparent do not need to be reported and therefore, should not effect the student's FAFSA-eligibility to receive financial aid.
What if the beneficiary does not attend college?
If the beneficiary does not attend college, the account owner can change the beneficiary to another member of the family (see below) or even take the money back.
Please note: Because there is no age or time restriction for Michigan-sponsored 529 Plans, the account owner can leave the money in the account in perpetuity.
- Eligible members of the family of the beneficiary
- Spouse
- Son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, adopted child or a descendant
- Son-in-law, daughter-in-law
- Siblings or step-siblings
- Brother-in-law, sister-in-law
- Father-in-law, mother-in-law
- Father or mother or ancestor or either, stepmother, stepfather
- Aunt, uncle or their spouse
- Niece, nephew or their spouse
- First cousin or their spouse
Can multiple people open separate accounts for the same beneficiary?
Yes. For example, a father, mother, grandparent, and uncle can each open a separate account for the same beneficiary and can also open separate accounts for other beneficiaries. However, all accounts for the benefit of the same beneficiary, in the same state-sponsored plan, are aggregated and cannot exceed the state’s maximum contribution limit. Please refer to the Plan Description for the maximum contribution limit.
What if the beneficiary gains a scholarship?
If the beneficiary receives a scholarship, money – up to the amount of the scholarship – can be withdrawn without the customary 10% federal penalty. However, ordinary income tax (at the distributee’s tax rate) is applied to the earnings portion of the distribution.
Can I have 529 plans in multiple states?
Yes. 529 plans have no state residency requirements. You can contribute to your in-state plan to capture a state tax deduction (if applicable). You may also hold multiple 529 accounts. For example, open an in-state plan and contribute up to the amount of your home state tax deduction, and then open a MAP account to invest additional money you would like to contribute toward education savings.
What is the current interest rate being offered by the TIAA-CREF Life Funding Agreement?
Accumulations (including contributions and earnings) under the TIAA-CREF Life Funding Agreement for the allocated Enrollment year investment portfolios and Conservative Allocation Portfolio has an effective annual interest rate of 3.00%, and are guaranteed to earn this rate through December 31, 2024, subject to the claims-paying ability of TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company.
MI 529 Advisor Plan (MAP) operational specific FAQs
What investment options are offered?
Enrollment Year Investment Portfolios — The enrollment year investment portfolios are divided into ten target portfolios that invest in multiple mutual funds, each of which has a different investment strategy. You may invest in the portfolio that corresponds to the beneficiary’s expected year of enrollment, or the one that best meets your varying investment objectives, risk profiles, and investment time horizons.
The further out the enrollment year (for younger designated beneficiaries, for example), the investment will seek a favorable long-term return by investing primarily equities. While equities (i.e., stocks) typically have a higher level of risk, they may also have greater potential for returns than more conservative income-seeking securities (i.e., bonds). As the beneficiary's enrollment year approaches, the portfolio will automatically adjust to become more conservative. By enrollment time, a majority of assets will be in investments designed to be more conservative and lower-risk.
Target Allocation Portfolios — Four Target Allocation Portfolios are designed for investors who want to tailor their strategy based on their personal risk tolerance and goals. The portfolios span a continuum, ranging from lower-risk/lower reward potential — to higher-risk/higher reward potential. Each Target Allocation Portfolio invests in multiple underlying funds, and the Conservative Allocation Portfolio invests in the Funding Agreement. Target Allocation Portfolios do not change with the age of the beneficiary.
Individual Fund Portfolios — If you and your financial professional want to build your own portfolio — or complement another strategy by emphasizing a particular asset class — consider the Individual Fund Portfolios. Each portfolio invests 100% of its assets in a single underlying fund.
What is the initial deposit requirement for MAP?
The initial required minimum contribution is $25. This minimum contribution can be waived if a systematic recurring contribution (automatic funds transfer) is established when the account is opened. Subsequent minimum contribution is also $25.
How to enroll in electronic delivery of documents?
Account owners may consent to electronic delivery of Quarterly Account Statements, Confirmations, Tax Form 1099-Q, and the Plan Description depending on the recordkeeping platform your account has been set-up on. Regardless of the account owner’s chosen electronic delivery preference, these documents are viewable within your online account access. To establish electronic delivery, visit miadvisor-529.com/miatpl/auth/ll.cs and follow instructions to sign into your secure online account. Once signed into your online account, click “View Details” for a beneficiary and select “Profile & Documents,” then “Delivery Preferences” from the left hand navigation.
Where can I obtain 529 specific forms?
All MAP forms are available on our Literature & Forms section towards the bottom of mi529advisor.com.
What tools/calculators are available to help make 529 plan decisions?
The 529 tools listed below are available:
- 529 Savings Calculator
- 529 State Tax & Fee Comparison Calculator
- 529 College Savings Hypothetical Tool
What are the various ways to contribute to MAP?
There are several ways to contribute, as follows:
- Check made payable to MI 529 Advisor Plan
- Recurring Contribution (Automatic Funds Transfer) from your registered bank account
- Payroll Direct Deposit
- Rollover from another 529 Plan
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
- Crowdfunding/gifting
How can I participate in a crowdfunding/gifting program?
Ugift® - once MAP online account access has been established, you may participate in the free crowdfunding/gifting service that invites their family and friends to celebrate important milestones with gift contributions to their MAP account. You will get one simple code (per 529 account) to share with everyone you would like to invite to contribute. This code never expires, and gift givers can easily manage multiple gift contributions. Gifting requests can also be posted on social media. To learn more, log into your secure MAP online account at miadvisor-529.com/miatpl/auth/ll.cs and click on Ugift®.
What types of fees and expenses are involved with investing in MAP?
Fee and expense information can be found in the Plan Description, found here.
Why is the Plan Description important?
The Plan Description provides an overview of the key features, and detailed information about MAP. Before investing, you should read it carefully to make an informed investment choice.
How are refunds of tuition and other qualified expenses handled?
If the beneficiary of your MAP account has received a refund from an educational institution for tuition, room & board, or any other qualified expense, that money can be reinvested into your MAP account, without tax or penalty on the earnings, as long as they do so within 60 days of the date of the refund.
Additionally, that recontribution would be treated as a NAV purchase. From a principal and earnings standpoint, the entire amount of the recontribution would be treated as new money (i.e., goes back into the account all as principal).
You, along with your financial professional, can use the “Additional Contribution Form” to recontribute tuition reimbursement checks. Fillable forms can be downloaded from mi529advisor.com by navigating to the Literature & Forms section toward the bottom of the page.
Tax FAQs
What are the tax benefits to Michigan residents?
Michigan is the home state of the MI 529 Advisor Plan (MAP).
Contributions are deductible for Michigan income tax purposes up to $5,000 per year for a single income tax return filer and $10,000 per year for joint filers. Incoming rollovers from another 529 account, however, are not eligible for the tax deduction.
Qualified Withdrawals, certain outgoing rollovers, and certain federally Taxable Withdrawals are not subject to Michigan income tax for either the account owner or the beneficiary. Michigan tax benefits related to MAP are available only to Michigan taxpayers. You should consult a tax advisor regarding the application of these deduction limits to your particular circumstances.
Is there a penalty for a non-qualified withdrawal?
The earnings portion of non-qualified withdrawals is subject to federal and state taxes, at the beneficiary’s tax rate if applicable, plus an additional 10% federal tax. The withdrawal can only be made payable to the account owner or the beneficiary.
