School is back in session! It is never too early to start planning for your child's future.

 According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 62.7% Of the 2026 High School Graduates Are Enrolled in a College or University

Which means the chances that your child, or children, will go on to college is greater than half!

 Being able to pay for your child's college expenses is top of mind for many Caterpillar employees. Now that we know that your child will most likely go on to higher education, the question remains, how should families prepare to pay for it? One of the biggest expenses in a family's life may be the funding of their children's education. We see it on the news, we read it in the papers, and we hear it from our friends and colleagues from Caterpillar. College is expensive. But how expensive is it now and how much more expensive will it be in the future?

With a UTMA account, you can contribute both cash and securities. However, 529 accounts only allow cash contributions. The type of assets you contribute is flexible. It's important for Caterpillar employees to note that any contributions of cash or securities into a UTMA account are considered an irrevocable gift to the minor listed on the account, and in turn, the minor now owns those assets.

 Now you may be asking yourself, what is the benefit of making an irrevocable gift to your child? The benefits lie in the distributions allowed from the UTMA account and the taxation of the account. Unlike a 529 account, UTMA accounts have a much broader definition of what is considered a qualified distribution. Generally, if the expense is for the child’s benefit, you may take a distribution from the UTMA account.

 An example of where this applies is paying for private school tuition. Unlike a 529 account, you may take distributions from a UTMA account to pay for pre-college private school costs. The second notable benefit is the taxation of the UTMA account. Since your child is the owner of the account, the IRS allows the first $1,100 of unearned income to be tax-free and the next $1,100 of unearned income to be taxed at the child’s tax rate. Presumably, most children are in a lower tax bracket than their parents and, therefore, the first $2,200 of unearned income in a UTMA account has little or no tax associated with it. While the tax benefits of a UTMA account aren’t as lucrative as 529 savings plan account, you still receive a tax benefit that you would have otherwise not received by saving into a personal investment account in your name.

 For most Caterpillar employees, the primary goal is to invest for education. If this is your main goal, 529 Plans offer the greatest tax advantages, control and flexibility. Prior to investing in a 529 Plan, investors should consider whether the investor’s or designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state’s qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax-free. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing. For many Caterpillar employees, planning for college can seem like a complicated and stressful task to endure.

 By planning properly and using the appropriate investment vehicles, you can add tangible value to your money over time. The Retirement Group is here to help guide you through all steps of planning and funding your children's education needs.

The Retirement Group is a nation-wide group of financial advisors who work together as a team.

 We focus entirely on retirement planning and the design of retirement portfolios for transitioning Caterpillar employees. Each representative of the group has been hand selected by The Retirement Group in select cities of the United States. Each advisor was selected based on their pension expertise, experience in financial planning, and portfolio construction knowledge.

Before finalizing any estate plan, it is worth examining how Caterpillar's employer-sponsored benefits fit into the broader picture. It is important to note that Caterpillar maintains a defined benefit pension plan that has been frozen to new benefit accruals -- meaning the plan no longer accumulates future benefits for most employees, but those who were already vested may still be entitled to receive the pension benefit they accrued prior to the freeze, subject to the vesting requirements described in their plan documents - this means the plan no longer accumulates future benefits for most employees, but those who were already vested may still be entitled to receive the pension benefit they accrued prior to the freeze, subject to the vesting requirements described in their plan documents. Caterpillar also offers retiree healthcare benefits to eligible employees, which can provide meaningful coverage for those who retire before reaching Medicare eligibility at age 65. Because the specifics of your pension benefit, retiree healthcare eligibility, and any matching contributions depend on your individual employment history and plan documents, We encourage you to review your Summary Plan Description (SPD) or speak with Caterpillar's HR or benefits team for the most current details.