Maryland 529

Maryland 529 — formerly College Savings Plans of Maryland[1] — is an independent, non-profit State agency that  provides flexible and affordable college and disabilities savings plans, in accordance with sections 529 and 529A of the Internal Revenue Code.  The two college savings plans are offered to help families save for future education expenses and reduce dependence on student loans later.

  • The Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer Prepaid College Trust,[2] first opened for enrollment in 1998 and offers affordable and flexible tuition plans and payment options at accredited two-year community colleges and four-year colleges and universities nationwide.
  • The Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan,[3] launched in 2001 and offers a broad range of different investment options, managed by T. Rowe Price.

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) programs are a way to help individuals with disabilities and their families save money and pay for qualified disability-related expenses without jeopardizing state or federal means-tested benefits such as SSI or Medicaid.

  • The Maryland ABLE Program launched in November 2017. With Maryland ABLE, you can contribute up to $15,000 per year (or more if the beneficiary is working) to one of three investment options, or a cash option, and account growth is tax-free when used for qualified disability expenses.

All plans are overseen by Maryland 529 and it’s Board.[4] The Board includes 11 members, half of whom are State officials and the other half of whom are public members appointed by Maryland's Governor. Maryland 529’s Executive Director is responsible for day-to-day management and oversight of the program managers. The Executive Director reports to the Board.

Ratings

Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan rated "Silver" program by Morningstar[5]

References
  1. Effective July 1, 2016, College Savings Plans of Maryland was renamed, Maryland 529."Maryland General Assembly" (PDF).
  2. "Maryland Prepaid College Trust Overview".
  3. "Maryland College Investment Plan Overview".
  4. "College Savings Plans of Maryland Management and Board". Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  5. *Morningstar analysts reviewed 61 plans for its 2020 ratings (10/27/20), of which 11 plans received a “Silver” rating. To determine a plan’s rating, Morningstar’s analysts organized their research around four key pillars: Process, People, Parent, and Price. Visit this site for additional information about Morningstar's methodology. Plans were then assigned forward-looking ratings of “Gold,” “Silver,” “Bronze,” “Neutral,” and “Negative.” Each year, certain of the industry’s smallest plans are not rated. Analyst Ratings are subjective in nature and should not be used as the sole basis for investment decisions. Analyst Ratings are based on Morningstar analysts’ current expectations about future events and, therefore, involve unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Morningstar’s expectations not to occur or to differ significantly from what was expected. Morningstar does not represent its Analyst Ratings to be guarantees.
  • Maryland 529's website provides interested parents and families with comprehensive information about each of its 529 plans.[1]
  1. Please read the entire Enrollment Kit carefully before deciding to enroll. The Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer Prepaid College Trust and Maryland Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer College Investment Plan Disclosure Statements provide investment objectives, risks, expenses and costs, Fees, and other information you should consider carefully before investing. If you or your beneficiary live outside of Maryland, you should compare Maryland 529 to any college savings program offered by your home state or your beneficiary’s home state, which may offer state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state’s 529 plan.
  2. Please carefully read the Maryland ABLE Program Disclosure and Participation Agreement, which describes the investment objectives, risks, expenses, and other important information that you should consider before you invest in the Maryland ABLE program. The Maryland ABLE Program Disclosure Booklet is available online or by calling 855.563.2253. Also, if the beneficiary lives outside of Maryland, you should consider before investing whether the beneficiary's state offers state tax or other benefits for investing in its ABLE plan. Maryland ABLE accounts are not guaranteed by the State of Maryland, any state agency or subdivision thereof, or their authorized agents or affiliates. You could lose money by investing in a Maryland ABLE account. Consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing.
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