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The ABCs on 529s
At Hadley, we're passionate about education. Read on to hear our thoughts on 529 plans, from the super-basics, to the super-fine print. We won't stop until every American is a 529 power user.
By your friendly neighborhood 529 obsessives (yes, that's a real thing!)


529 Federal Tax Benefits: Uncle Sam's Big Gift to Your Tuition Fund
A few weeks ago, we published a deep dive into state-level 529 tax deductions and credits — the patchwork quilt of incentives that ranges from generous (hello, New Mexico, with your unlimited deduction ) to nonexistent (looking at you, California ). Today we're zooming out to the federal level , where the real heavy lifting happens. If state deductions are the cherry on top, federal tax-free growth is the entire sundae — and with recent changes from the SECURE 2.0 Act and t
5 days ago7 min read


529s vs. The Rest: Choosing An Education Savings Vehicle For Your Student
There are seemingly a bajillion ways to save for education — and nearly as many opinions about which one is best. Taxable accounts, Roth IRAs, custodial accounts, Coverdells, 529s — researching the options can feel overwhelming , especially when you're already juggling everything else that comes with planning for a child's future, or your own. We're here to help you cut through the noise . In this post, we'll break down each of the major education savings options, weigh their
Feb 238 min read


Why Is College So Expensive? The Real Story Behind Rising Education Costs
It creeps. It crawls. It grows larger every day, consuming everything in its path, and it cannot be stopped. Is it the sinister blob from the 1958 and 1988 films (and much anticipated 2026 reboot ) of the same name? No! It's the cost of higher education in America . If you've looked at college tuition bills lately, you've probably done a double-take. Maybe even a triple-take. The numbers are jaw-dropping, and if you're wondering whether you're missing something or if colle
Feb 108 min read


Understanding 529 State Tax Deductions: Free Money for Your Family
If you're thinking about saving for college, here's what many people miss: depending on where you live, your state might give you money back just for contributing to a 529 plan. Yes, you read that right. Free money . Let us show you how it works. What's a State Income Tax Deduction, Anyway? Think of it this way: when you contribute to a 529 plan, some states say "thank you" by reducing the amount of income they tax you on . It's basically like getting a discount coupon for be
Jan 316 min read


Nine States Offering 529 Tax Incentives to Employers
College savings shouldn't be a burden that families shoulder alone. And a growing number of states are recognizing this, offering tax incentives to employers that help their workers save for education. As of this writing, nine states (and counting!) provide tax credits or deductions to businesses that match employee contributions to 529 plans. Hadley tracks this state legislation closely. As new states are added to the list, we’ll keep you updated on our blog . We’ll also pub
Jan 135 min read


What is a 529 Plan? A Simple Guide
We break down what a 529 plan is, how it works, and why its tax advantages matter (a lot!)
Jan 16 min read
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