Treasurer Fitzgerald Awards $1000 College Savings Iowa Account to Baby Born at Skiff Medical Center

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From left to right: Marcia Herwehe, Grandmother; Mike Anderson, CEO; Brad Willson, Father; Jennifer Neleman, Mother; Bentley Willson, Winner; Emily Lynch, Nurse; Michael Fitzgerald, State Treasurer

DES MOINES, IA (09/15/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald's office has awarded another $1,000 College Savings Iowa account – this time to a lucky baby born in Newton. The award, courtesy of the College Savings Iowa Baby 529 Giveaway, is given once a month to put one baby on the right path toward saving for college. Baby Bentley, born at Skiff Medical Center, was this month's winner. The baby's parents, Jennifer Neleman and Bradley Willson, received information about the giveaway program before leaving the hospital after their child's birth.

"Little Bentley may not be able to study yet, but he's already got a jump start on his college savings, and it will continue to grow right along-side him," stated Fitzgerald, plan administrator. "I encourage families with young children like Bentley to put time on their side and start saving for college early. Anything they can put away today will offset what may need to be borrowed in the future."

Treasurer Fitzgerald thanks Skiff Medical Center for helping him spread the message about the importance of saving for college. By participating in the College Savings Iowa Baby 529 Giveaway, the hospital provides new parents with information about saving early and a chance to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa account for their baby. "We are pleased to have you as part of our team working to increase public awareness about the benefits of saving for college from day one," stated Fitzgerald.

About the College Savings Iowa BABY 529 Giveaway

The Baby 529 Giveaway awards one $1,000 College Savings Iowa account each month to a randomly selected baby. All babies born in participating Iowa hospitals are eligible to win if they register for the monthly drawing. Seventy-two hospitals currently participate in the program and provide college savings materials to families before they leave the hospital. To learn more about the program, please visit www.iowababy529.com.

About College Savings Iowa

College Savings Iowa is a state-sponsored 529 plan designed to give families a tax-advantaged way to save money for college. Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $2,865 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income in 2011,* and there are no income or residency restrictions. Withdrawals used to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition; books, supplies, and room and board are free of state and federal taxes. Funds can be used at any accredited college, university, community college or technical training school in the United States or abroad.** For more information on College Savings Iowa, visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

** The earnings portion of non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the 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.

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