Michigan Education Savings Program's fees drop 17 percent as total assets under management top $4B

The total value of funds invested in the Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) has surpassed $4 billion, triggering the second drop in the state-sponsored 529 plan’s program management fees in a little more than a year.

The milestone is good news for owners of the 200,000 accounts who are saving for college through MESP, said State Treasurer Kevin Clinton.

“Each decline in fees allows more of investors’ funds to go toward college savings goals and less toward management fees,” Clinton said. “We’re proud of the success and popularity of MESP, and we’re happy to be able to pass these cost savings on to our account owners.”

With total assets under management now above $4 billion, MESP’s program management fees have dropped nearly 17 percent. As a result, total annual asset-based fees now range from .17 to .27 percent, depending on the investment options selected in individual MESP accounts. That translates to annual costs of between $1.70 and $2.70 for every $1,000 invested.

The current decrease follows a 25 percent drop in program management fees in October 2013, when MESP assets reached $3.5 billion. Both reductions were negotiated in the state of Michigan’s contract with TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Inc., MESP’s program manager since November 2000.

“The partnership between the state of Michigan and TIAA-CREF has been beneficial for Michigan families saving for their children’s higher education,” said Robin Lott, executive director of MESP. “Going forward, MESP will continue to offer parents, grandparents and others a low-cost, flexible 529 college savings plan.”

MESP’s total annual-based fees have regularly been recognized as among the lowest of all direct-sold 529 college savings programs in the country in rankings by such independent research firms as Morningstar and Savingforcollege.com.

Savingforcollege.com notes that fees and expenses can have a significant impact on a college-savings fund. It offers this example: If the annual return of the underlying investments in Plan A is 7 percent, and the plan manager charges a fee of .20 percent, an investment of $5,000 will grow to $16,340 in 18 years. However, if Plan B uses the same underlying investments but the management fee is .40 percent, that $5,000 will grow to $15,798, or $542 less than Plan A.

Detailed information on the MESP’s fees and expenses and investment performance is available at MIsaves.com. TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Inc. notes that past performance is no guarantee of future results.

MESP is one of three Michigan Section 529 plans, all of which offer Michigan taxpayers a state income tax deduction on contributions and potential tax-free growth on earnings if account proceeds are used to pay for qualified expenses. MESP can be used at any eligible college, university or trade school in the nation and some abroad for a variety of qualified expenses, including tuition, fees, certain room and board costs, books, supplies and equipment required for enrollment. Limitations apply. See the MESP Disclosure Booklet for details

MESP officials note that, to possibly qualify for a deduction on their 2014 tax return, account holders must make contributions to their MESP account by Dec. 31.

To learn more about MESP, visit MIsaves.com or contact us at 877-861-6377.

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Michigan Education Savings Program. Please visit www.misaves.com for a Disclosure Booklet containing this and other information. Read it carefully. Investments in the plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss.

Before investing in a 529 plan, you should consider whether the state you or your designated beneficiary reside in or have taxable income in has a 529 plan that offers favorable state income tax or other benefits that are only available if you invest in that state’s 529 plan.

The tax information contained herein is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties. Taxpayers should seek advice based on their own particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor. Non-qualified withdrawals are subject to federal and state taxes and the additional 10% federal penalty tax.

TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., MESP Program Manager

Michigan Department of Treasury, Administrator