About TIAA-CREF
Products
- Retirement Plans |
- IRAs |
- Education Savings |
- Mutual Funds |
- After-Tax Annuities |
- Life Insurance
Services
Fund Research
Education & Support

Education Savings

The TIAA-CREF group of companies provides a number of professionally managed ways to help you save for college.

Independent 529 Plan		Independent 529 Plan is the first pre-paid 529 plan sponsored by private ("independent") colleges across the U.S. Prepay all or part of future private college tuition at less than today's prices with all the tax advantages of a 529. And you can use your savings at more than 250 of the nation's leading private colleges, with more joining all the time. Visit the Independent 529 Plan website to learn more.

529 College Savings Plans		State-sponsored 529 College Savings Plans are provided by individual states and managed by TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI). Save for public or private college and enjoy advantages such as tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals when used for qualified expenses. Savings can be used at all accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. and at many colleges abroad. Federal income tax-free treatment of qualified withdrawals is now permanent. Effective August 17, 2006, federal income tax-free treatment of qualified withdrawals and other federal tax benefits are now permanent for 529 plans through the passage of the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

Custodial Accounts		Fund a child's college education with TIAA-CREF's Mutual Fund Custodial Account through a uniform gift or transfer. A custodial account can usually be opened for anyone under age 18.

Coverdell Accounts		Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (Coverdell ESAs - formerly Education IRAs) are another way to save for college and enjoy tax-deferred growth and withdrawals that are generally federal tax free.

Each state plan has unique characteristics. Before investing in a 529 plan, consider whether the state in which you reside or have taxable income has a 529 plan that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are only available in that state's plan.

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in any of the TIAA-CREF managed 529 plans. Please call 1 888 381-8283 for a Disclosure Booklet containing this information. Read it carefully.

The tax information herein is not intended to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. It was written to support the promotion of TIAA-CREF Managed 529 plans. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.