Treasurer Fitzgerald: Kidsfest is a Great Time to Learn About College Savings Iowa

DES MOINES, IA (02/18/2010)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald encourages those attending Kidsfest to visit the College Savings Iowa booth to register to win four tickets to a performance of Sesame Street Live: "Elmo's Green Thumb" in Des Moines. Kidsfest, a family-oriented festival that features fun activities and entertainment for children and their families, will be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in the Varied Industries Building on March 5-7. Representatives from College Savings Iowa, the state-sponsored 529 plan, will also be available at this event for questions.

For the 2010 year, College Savings Iowa will be sponsoring Sesame Street Live as it travels across the state. "We are excited to sponsor a production like Sesame Street Live. It's a wonderful opportunity for families to spend time together and enjoy the experience of a live show," stated Treasurer Fitzgerald. Treasurer Fitzgerald would like to remind parents while they are planning fun activities for their children to also keep in mind the importance of planning for their college savings. "College Savings Iowa is a great way to save for future educational expenses," stated Treasurer Fitzgerald.

College Savings Iowa is designed to give families a tax-advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. Investors can choose from thirteen Vanguard investment options, including four age-based investment tracks. Anyone – parents, grandparents, friends and relatives – can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $2,811 in contributions per beneficiary account from their adjusted gross income, and there are no income or residency restrictions.*

Sesame Street Live, sponsored by College Savings Iowa, will begin its Iowa tour in Cedar Rapids with performances on May 11-12 and wrap up in Des Moines on May 14-16. For more information about Sesame Street Live performances, go to www.sesamestreetlive.com. To learn more about College Savings Iowa or to open an account, please 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.