529 plan selection
Florida 529, out-of-state plans with better fund options, age-based portfolios, and the state-tax interaction (Florida residents have flexibility because there's no state income tax to lose by going out-of-state).
529 plan and college planning that fits your broader plan, covering Florida Prepaid, custodial accounts, and the funding pace that works for parents and grandparents without compromising retirement.
Florida 529, out-of-state plans with better fund options, age-based portfolios, and the state-tax interaction (Florida residents have flexibility because there's no state income tax to lose by going out-of-state).
The Florida Prepaid College Plan is unique and worth a real look. We help families decide whether prepaid, 529, or a mix is the right fit.
Grandparent 529s, direct tuition payments (outside the gift-tax limit), and the FAFSA timing rule changes that now make grandparent 529 distributions much friendlier.
We'll tell you when fully funding college means underfunding retirement. Your kids can borrow for school. You can't borrow for retirement.
We meet on a real cadence, usually quarterly. The plan flexes as your life and the tax code change. Most relationships span decades.
Offices in Boca Raton and Plantation, plus licensed in all 50 states. Existing clients keep us when they move.
The right college plan starts with two honest numbers: how much you actually expect to contribute, and how much your retirement plan can give up. Most families overestimate how much they should put toward college and underestimate how much they need for retirement. Aid, scholarships, work, and reasonable borrowing fill some of the gap.
The 529 vs. Florida Prepaid decision is a real one for Florida residents. Prepaid locks in in-state tuition at today's rates. 529 gives you market-rate growth potential and more flexibility for out-of-state schools. For families committed to in-state public schools, Prepaid can be the cleaner answer. For families undecided or aiming for private/out-of-state, a 529 (or a mix) usually fits better.
Grandparent note. Recent FAFSA changes mean grandparent-owned 529 distributions no longer count against student aid eligibility. If you're a grandparent thinking about funding a 529 for a grandchild, this is now one of the better tax-efficient legacy moves available. Coordinated with your estate plan, it can serve double duty.
College funding is rarely a standalone decision. It connects to:
The hub. Your education savings strategy lives inside your broader cash flow and retirement plan.
See full financial planning →Grandparent 529s and direct tuition payments are powerful estate-reduction tools.
See estate planning →5-year accelerated gifting, state tax interactions, and the Roth conversion rule for unused 529 balances.
See tax planning →College planning shows up at different life stages:
"We had 529s for both kids but no real strategy. Beth helped us pace the contributions, switched us to a better-performing plan, and made sure we weren't over-funding at the expense of retirement."
"My in-laws wanted to help with the grandkids' education but were worried about FAFSA. Beth walked them through the current rules and got grandparent 529s set up that work for everyone."
"We had Florida Prepaid for both kids and a 529 that we weren't sure what to do with. Beth helped us figure out the right balance and a plan for any leftover 529 funds."
Posts our wealth advisors have put together on this topic.
The Florida 529 Savings Plan is solid but not necessarily the best. Florida has no state income tax, so Florida residents don't lose a state tax deduction by using an out-of-state plan. That makes the choice purely about investment options, fees, and plan features. We help families compare Florida's plan against the top out-of-state options.
Florida Prepaid (managed by the Florida Prepaid College Board) lets you pay for future in-state tuition at today's rates. It's essentially insurance against tuition inflation for Florida public schools. The Florida 529 Savings Plan is an investment account: you contribute, the money grows in market-based portfolios, and you withdraw for qualified education expenses. The two can be used together.
Yes. Up to $10,000 per year per beneficiary can be used for K-12 tuition at private and religious schools. State tax treatment varies. For Florida families with no state income tax to lose, the federal benefit (tax-free growth on the withdrawal portion) still applies.
Several options: change the beneficiary to another family member, save it for the original beneficiary's graduate school, take a non-qualified withdrawal (pay tax and 10% penalty on earnings), or under SECURE 2.0, roll up to $35,000 over the beneficiary's lifetime into a Roth IRA in their name (subject to annual Roth contribution limits, a 15-year account seasoning rule, and other conditions).
Often a good idea, especially after the recent FAFSA changes. Grandparent-owned 529 distributions no longer count against the student's aid eligibility, which removes the main historical reason to avoid them. Grandparent 529s also serve as estate-reduction tools, especially when paired with 5-year accelerated gifting (which lets you front-load up to 5 years of annual exclusion gifts in one year).
The first meeting is a conversation, not a sales pitch. We'll talk about where you are, what you're working through, and whether Intercoastal is the right fit. In person in Boca Raton or Plantation, or by video from anywhere.