On the show this week, we're taking a deep dive into college planning specifically tailored for physicians with children or grandchildren. Whether you're hoping to fully fund your child's undergraduate and graduate education or simply looking to balance saving for college with providing meaningful life experiences, this episode guides you through the real conversations every family should have, explores the most effective savings vehicles like 529 plans, and weighs the pros and cons of alternatives such as UTMAs, UGMAs, and new account types.

Looking for help with Disability Insurance, Physician Banking, Student Loan Refinancing, Physician Mortgages, Contract Reviews, and more? Check out our "Best of the Best" sponsors page to find a list of the professionals Chad & Tyler team up with for their clients.

You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...

• [05:28] Setting financial goals for education
• [12:55] Planning for children's education fund
• [14:10] Discussing the impact of savings on families
• [16:51] Handling children's financial responsibility
• [20:06] Possible tax impacts of investment fund
• [23:46] Discussing potential college plan changes

What Does Support Mean for Your Family?

Before crunching numbers or choosing account types, it's important to reflect on the kind of support you hope to provide. This requires real conversations with your spouse or partner about your goals and values for your children's education. Some families want to fully fund undergraduate and even graduate school, while others are comfortable letting their children take out some loans, prioritizing experiences, like family travel, during the formative years.

Most commonly, families aim to cover the full cost of undergraduate education, but as we highlight, there's a broad spectrum, and it's essential to avoid setting expectations too early for how accounts will be used or how children's paths will unfold.

Questions to Consider:

• Would you rather fund experiences now or prioritize saving for future expenses?

• How important is it for your children to have skin in the game when it comes to their education?

• How will you emotionally handle these funds if your children's plans differ from your expectations?

The 529 Plan: The Go-To Vehicle for College Savings

When it comes to funding college, the 529 plan is the favored tool for most physicians. Its advantages include:

• Tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualifying educational expenses

• Potential for state income tax deductions depending on your residence

• Flexibility in using funds, including for K-12 education (up to $20,000/year per beneficiary), and the possibility of transferring beneficiaries within the family

Overcontribution is possible and should be monitored, as contributors should stay within the annual gift tax exclusion limits ($19,000 per person, $38,000 per couple in 2026; more with the five-year front-loading rule).

Brokerage Accounts, UTMAs/Ugmas, and New Accounts

While 529 plans are powerful, some families will want or need additional options:

Joint Brokerage Accounts

A parent-held brokerage account offers maximum flexibility and control. Funds can be invested for growth and allocated for education or other family priorities, with no requirement to turn over assets when a child reaches the age of majority. This avoids the risk of a large sum becoming available to a young adult before they're ready to handle it responsibly.

UTMA/UGMA Accounts

Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) and Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) accounts can be useful for modest gifts, but we don't recommend them for substantial college savings. Once the beneficiary comes of age, they gain full control of the account—potentially undermining the intended use.

"Trump Accounts" (530A) and Emerging Options

Newer account types, such as the so-called "Trump accounts" (officially 530A accounts), have potential—particularly for long-term retirement savings for children—logistical limitations and a lack of state or federal tax deductions make them best viewed as a complement (not an alternative) to the 529 plan for now.

Preparing for the Unexpected

Keep long-term goals in mind, revisit your plan as your family grows and changes, and avoid setting rigid expectations for how your children will use educational funds. Your best-laid plans should empower your children without constraining their choices or causing resentment if their paths differ.

For physicians, college planning is about more than maximizing a 529 plan. Begin by clarifying your values, then harness the right mix of accounts to support your goals. College savings accounts are tools; used thoughtfully, they can support both your children's futures and your family's financial well-being.

The best of the best list is a paid sponsorship, but these are professionals/companies that Tyler and Chad collaborate with within their own practices or have been vetted to earn a spot on this list. By supporting our sponsors, it allows Chad & Tyler to dedicate more time to you and the Physician Cents community. If you ever have a question (or not a great experience, which we don't expect!) about a sponsor, please let us know. We call it the "best of the best" for a reason, and we will maintain that standard for our listeners & viewers.

Connect With Physician Cents

• WealthKeel LLC
• Olson Consulting LLC
• Tyler Olson on Twitter
• Chad Chubb, CFP®, CSLP® on Twitter

Subscribe to Physician Cents

Apple Podcasts

Audio Production and Show Notes by - PODCAST FAST TRACK