“TNStars 529 Day” Means Fun Deals, Special Prizes and College Savings Incentives for Tennessee Families

Statewide event to promote the TNStars College Savings 529 Program

Five bucks and some change will give Tennesseans access to some of the state’s best-known family-friendly attractions later this month. At select locations across the state, people can visit a minor league baseball game, a museum or zoo on May 29 for only $5.29 each. People can also register online to win prizes and perks that day.

It is all part of an effort to raise awareness about the Tennessee Treasury Department’s TNStars College Savings 529 Program, which offers families a low-cost way to save money for college expenses while receiving certain tax advantages.

The event has been dubbed “TNStars 529 Day” after Section 529 of the federal tax code, which allows states to set up college savings programs.

“We want to let everyone in Tennessee know about our state’s outstanding college savings program,” said State Treasurer David H. Lillard, Jr. “TNStars partnered with great organizations around the state to establish promotions as way to raise awareness and give people incentives to start saving for children’s future.”

Highlights of “TNStars 529 Day” will include:

• · The Jackson Generals, Nashville Sounds and Memphis Redbirds baseball teams are all offering admission tickets for only $5.29. Regular ticket prices are $10 to $16. (The baseball teams in Chattanooga and Knoxville do not play home games on May 29.)
• · The Adventure Science Center in Nashville is offering $5.29 admission for the day for children 2 through 12 yars of age and 5.29 percent discounts in the gift shop. Regular admission is $10.
• · The Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga is offering $5.29 admission for the day and 5.29 percent discounts in the gift shop. Regular admission is $11.95.

Tennessee residents can also visit www.TNStars.com/529Day to register to win a variety of TNStars 529 Day-themed prizes, including $529 toward a college savings account, family VIP packages to baseball games, museum memberships, gift certificates and more.

In addition being fun, the event highlights special limited-time financial incentives being offered to any Tennessee residents interested in opening college savings accounts. Tennesseans who open accounts with at least $50 will each receive a one-time $50 match from the state. Tennesseans who roll over their entire account balances from other college savings plans will each receive $100.

The TNStars College Savings 529 Program is available to Tennessee residents and nonresidents alike. The investment returns on money saved through the program are tax free as long as they are used for approved education-related expenses. The money saved may be applied to higher education, including public or private colleges and universities inside or outside the state of Tennessee as well as any other educational entities eligible to receive federal student loan funds, such as Tennessee technology centers.

Participants have control over how they manage their investments. The plan offers an age-based option in which investments are more aggressive when children are young and then become more conservative as the children approach college age. The plan also offers individual investment options, including domestic and international equities, balanced fund options, fixed income options and an FDIC-insured option.

Anyone interested in opening an account with the Tennessee Stars College Savings 529 Program can learn more by visiting www.TNStars.com or by calling (855) 386-7827 toll-free.

Businesses are also encouraged to make it easier for their employees to save by offering payroll deductions to the program. Any business interested in offering payroll deductions can learn more by visiting www.TNStars.com or by calling (855) 386-7827 toll-free.