Investing in your children’s future is one of the most important things you can do as a parent. With proper planning and smart investments, you can set your kids up for financial success down the road. Here are some of the best ways to invest in your children’s future.
Start Saving Early For Education
One of the biggest expenses parents face is their children’s education. College costs have skyrocketed over the past decades, with average yearly tuition now exceeding $35,000 at private universities and $11,000 at public in-state schools. This doesn’t even factor in room and board, books, and other fees.
The earlier you start saving for your children’s education, the more manageable these costs will be. Consider opening a 529 college savings plan, which offers tax benefits and flexibility. You can open a 529 account as soon as your child is born and make regular monthly contributions over the years.
For example, if you invested $300 per month starting from birth, you would accumulate over $80,000 by age 18 (assuming a 6% annual return). This would make a significant dent in college costs. Even if you start later, any amount you can regularly set aside in a 529 will help offset tuition fees down the road.
Take Advantage of Tax-Advantaged Accounts
As your child gets older, you can utilize tax-advantaged accounts to save and invest for their future. This includes custodial investment accounts like UGMAs and UTMAs.
The assets in these accounts are irrevocably transferred to and managed for the benefit of the minor child until they reach adulthood (age 18 or 21 depending on your state). Parents or guardians act as custodians in control of investment decisions until then.
Earnings from investments in these accounts are taxed at the child’s rate, which is typically much lower than the parent’s rate. This allows for tax-deferred growth over the years. Annual gifts of up to $16,000 (for 2023) per parent can be deposited into these custodial accounts gift tax-free.
Invest in Your Child’s Roth IRA
Once your child starts earning income from a job, they become eligible to open a Roth IRA. This can be an extremely strategic investment, as funds grow tax-free over time.
Your child can contribute earned income up to the annual limit in their Roth IRA ($6,500 for 2023). As the parent, you can match your child’s contributions with gifts to maximize the account.
Starting a Roth IRA early allows decades of tax-free growth. Even moderate monthly contributions over many years can grow to substantial savings by retirement age. This offers your child a headstart on their own retirement planning.
Purchase Cash Value Life Insurance
Permanent life insurance policies with cash value growth can be an excellent investment for your children’s future. Options like whole life insurance allow you to build up the policy’s cash value, which grows on a tax-deferred basis.
Purchasing a policy while your child is young and healthy will lock in lower premiums. Over many years, the cash value can be borrowed from the policy or withdrawn to help pay for major expenses like college or a first home. The death benefit will also provide protection throughout your child’s life.
This functions as a forced, deferred savings plan with very favorable tax treatment. However, make sure to work with a trusted agent to select a reputable insurance provider and policy.
Set Up a Trust Fund
For high net worth families, setting up a trust fund for your kids provides enhanced control and management of assets. Trusts come with upfront costs and administration fees, but the benefits often make them worthwhile.
A properly structured trust allows you to determine exactly when your children receive distributions, such as at certain ages or for specific expenses. This prevents assets from being squandered. Trust assets are also protected from creditors, lawsuits, divorces, and estate taxes down the road.
Trust funds are often funded with investments like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and real estate. A trust can survive for generations with proper management. This affords families an immense level of flexibility when passing wealth between generations.
Invest In Your Own Retirement First
An important caveat to all of this is that you should prioritize investing for your own retirement before your children’s future. As the saying goes, you cannot borrow from an empty cup.
Make sure you are maximizing your 401(k), IRA, and other retirement accounts before earmarking funds for your children. There are no loans or financial aid packages for retirement. You want to be able to afford your golden years.
If money is tight, focus first on bolstering your own nest egg and emergency savings. Then work within your budget to start modest college savings plans, life insurance policies, and other investments for your kids. Consistent, long-term saving and investing is key, so start wherever you can.
Teach Financial Literacy From a Young Age
More important than dollar amounts in investment accounts is imparting wisdom. Teach your kids financial literacy starting at a young age so they can be responsible with money.
Explain basic concepts like budgeting, saving vs spending, credit, investing, and the time value of money in age-appropriate ways. Lead by example with your own spending and saving habits.
As your children grow older, involve them directly in financial decisions. Let them save towards goals by earning an allowance or income from jobs. Open custodial accounts and IRAs together and teach them how to research investment options.
This hands-on education will benefit them immensely in adulthood, when they suddenly have to manage finances independently.
Make Major Purchases For Your Children Strategically
As parents, you will buy your children many things over the years, from strollers and cribs as babies to cars and computers as teens. Make these purchases strategically.
Prioritize essentials first, then determine reasonable budgets for other items based on your finances and values. Avoid buying the most expensive item just for status. Teach your children early to take care of their belongings so higher-cost purchases last.
For big items like cars, have your teenager contribute to the cost from their own savings to instill financial responsibility. Match their contributions to ease the burden while still requiring participation.
Discuss purchase criteria together for important items like cars to teach decision-making principles. This gives kids agency in the process.
Table: Summary of Ways to Invest in Your Children’s Future
| Investment Vehicle | Overview | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 529 College Savings Plan | Tax-advantaged account for education expenses | – Federal and state tax benefits<br>- High contribution limits<br>- Flexible use of funds | – Limited investment options<br>- Penalties if not used for qualified expenses |
| Custodial Accounts (UGMA/UTMA) | Assets transferred to and managed for minor until adulthood | – Low costs to open and maintain<br>- Parent controls investments until adulthood | – Assets become child’s at age of maturity<br>- Earnings taxed at child’s rate |
| Roth IRA | Retirement account funded with post-tax dollars; tax-free growth | – Tax-free growth over decades<br>- Low annual contribution limits | – Must have earned income to contribute<br>- Limited ability to withdraw funds |
| Cash Value Life Insurance | Permanent life insurance policy that builds cash value | – Guaranteed death benefit<br>- Tax-deferred cash value growth<br>- Premiums lock in at young age | – Complex policies<br>- High fees if not carefully vetted<br>- Less accessible than other investments |
| Trust Fund | Funds and assets held in trust for beneficiaries | – Controls distributions to children<br>- Asset protection and tax benefits | – High costs to establish and maintain<br>- Less involvement for children |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I save for my child’s college education?
How much you need to save depends on factors like the type of school your child will attend and potential financial aid or scholarships. On average, plan on saving $10,000 – $30,000 per year over a 15-18 year period for a 4-year private college, or $5,000 – $15,000 per year for an in-state public school. Maximize tax-advantaged 529 plans and custodial accounts.
What types of investments should I make for my kids?
Focus on stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and other diversified investments with long-term growth potential. As your child ages, shift to less risky fixed income securities leading up to college years. Maintain an age-appropriate asset allocation.
Is life insurance a good investment for children?
Permanent life insurance can be an excellent hands-off investment if you purchase a reputable policy when your child is young and healthy. The cash value grows on a tax-deferred basis over their lifetime. However, it should not be the only investment you utilize.
How can I teach my children financial literacy?
Lead by example in your daily financial habits. Discuss money openly from a young age. Give your kids an allowance to practice budgeting and saving. Involve older kids directly in things like opening custodial investment accounts and Roth IRAs. Let them make some spending decisions and mistakes while they are still under your guidance.
Should I pay for all of my child’s college expenses?
You should plan to fund college as an investment in your child’s future, but requiring them to contribute some of their own money can provide valuable lessons on financial responsibility. Have kids apply for scholarships, contribute from summer job income, and take subsidized student loans for a portion of costs.
