© 2018 State of Missouri. MOSTEMSL 052018
MOST—Missouri’s 529 Savings Plan
P.O. Box 219212
Kansas City, MO 64121-9212
800-868-3585
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For more information about MOST—Missouri’s 529
Savings Plan, call 800-868-3585 or visit most529.com
to obtain a Program Description, Privacy Policy, and
Participation Agreement. Investment objectives, risks,
charges, expenses, and other important information are
included in this document; read and consider it carefully
before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation,
Distributor and Underwriter.
If you are not a Missouri taxpayer, please consult a tax
advisor. Consider before investing whether your or the
designated beneficiary’s home state oers any state tax
or other benefits that are only available for investments in
such state’s qualified tuition program. Other state benefits
may include financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection
from creditors.
The Missouri Higher Education Savings Program (the “Program Trust”)
is a trust created by the State of Missouri. When you invest in MOST—
Missouri’s 529 Savings Plan (the “Plan”), you are purchasing portfolio units
issued by the Program Trust. Portfolio units are municipal securities. The
Plan has been implemented and is administered by the Missouri Higher
Education Savings Program Board (the “Board”). Ascensus College Savings
Recordkeeping Services, LLC (“ACSR”), serves as the Program Manager.
ACSR and its aliates have overall responsibility for the day-to-day
operations of the Plan, including recordkeeping and administrative services.
The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager for the Plan.
Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an aliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc.,
markets and distributes the Plan. The Plan’s portfolios, although they invest
in mutual funds, are not mutual funds.
Upromise is an optional service oered by Upromise, Inc., is separate
from MOST 529, and is not aliated with the State of Missouri. Terms
and conditions apply to the Upromise service. Participating companies,
contribution levels, and terms and conditions are subject to change at
any time without notice. Transfers are subject to a $25 minimum amount.
Go to upromise.com/missouri to learn more.
Investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money by
investing in the Plan.
Vanguard and the ship logo are trademarks of The Vanguard Group, Inc.
Upromise is a registered service mark of Upromise, Inc. Ugift is a registered
service mark of Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC. Dimensional and the
Dimensional logo are registered trademarks of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP.
GIVE THEIR EDUCATION
SAVINGS THE MOST
time to grow
Start early and
keep saving!
Questions?
Call 800-868-3585
Monday through Friday
from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.,
Central time.
most529.com
With MOST 529
you can:
Start with any amount.
Save for anyone.
Get federal and state
tax benefits.*
Choose from a diverse
investment lineup.
Use savings for qualified
education expenses.
* The availability of tax or other benefits may
be contingent on meeting other requirements.
Start saving today!
It only takes about
10 minutes to open an
account —just follow
these steps:
1. Gather this information:
• Birth dates for you and
your beneficiary.
• Social Security numbers
for you and your beneficiary.
• Your bank account and
routing numbers (optional).
2. Choose your investments.
Pick an age-based savings
option designed for higher
education or follow your own
investment strategy using
our individual portfolios.
3. Set up your account.
Go to most529.com and select
Open an account.
HOW DOES MISSOURI’S 529 PLAN WORK?
Open an account and make contributions of any amount
($1 or more if contributing electronically or through
payroll direct deposit) whenever it’s convenient.
You can invest in a diverse portfolio—choose an
age-based option designed for higher education, which
automatically adjusts to become more conservative
over time, or put together your own mix of individual
portfolios that covers all major asset classes and
investment styles, with a variety of risk profiles.
When it’s time to pay for qualified K–12 or higher-
education expenses, you can withdraw money from
your account tax-free.*
Anyone—a parent, grandparent, relative, or friend—
can open a 529 account for a student (the beneficiary).
You can even open an account for yourself.
WHAT COSTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE
MOST 529 PLAN?
There are no enrollment fees to open an account, and
you can do it with an investment of any amount. The
MOST 529 Plan doesn’t charge any advisor fees or sales
commissions. Each investment portfolio has an expense
ratio, which is the percentage of the portfolio’s assets
that investors pay to cover operating costs. The expense
ratios range from 0.23% to 0.57%. For example, if you
invest $1,000 in a portfolio with a 0.23% expense ratio,
you indirectly pay the fund manager $2.30 per year.
WILL MY ACCOUNT AFFECT THE
BENEFICIARY’S ELIGIBILITY FOR
FINANCIAL AID FOR HIGHER
EDUCATION?
Your MOST 529 account doesn’t aect your
beneficiary’s eligibility for merit-based financial aid,
including academic or athletic scholarships. If the
529 account is owned by a parent of the beneficiary,
the account is considered the parent’s asset and
will be factored into the FAFSA formula at the parent
expected family contribution (EFC) rate.
WHY INVEST IN THE MOST 529 PLAN?
Save on taxes.
• Pay no federal or Missouri state income taxes
on investment earnings when you use withdrawals
for qualified education expenses.*
• Qualify for an annual $8,000 ($16,000 if married,
filing jointly) Missouri state income tax deduction
on contributions you make to your 529 account.**
Invest in a diverse portfolio.
Choose from a wide range of investment options
that are professionally managed by Vanguard and
Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA).
Accelerate your savings.
Use Ugift
®
to invite family and friends to contribute.
You can even partner with Upromise
®
to earn
education savings on everyday purchases.
* Earnings on nonqualified 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.
State tax treatment of withdrawals used for expenses for
tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at an
elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school
is determined by the state(s) where the taxpayer files state
income tax. If you are not a Missouri taxpayer, please
consult with a tax advisor.
** Contributions to the Plan in a tax year are deductible from
Missouri state income tax up to certain limits but may be
subject to recapture in subsequent years if you make a
nonqualified withdrawal.
DO I HAVE TO USE MY SAVINGS AT A
MISSOURI COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY?
No. The money in your account may be used at
any eligible educational institution in the United
States or abroad that qualifies under federal
guidelines. This includes most public and private
colleges and universities, graduate and
postgraduate schools, community colleges, and
certain trade and vocational schools.
Qualified higher-education expenses include
tuition, certain room-and-board expenses,
computers and peripheral equipment that will
be used by the student, and mandatory books
and supplies.
As of 2018, money can also be used for tuition at
K–12 public, private, and religious schools.
WHAT IF MY BENEFICIARY DOESN’T
USE MY 529 SAVINGS?
At any time, you can change your beneficiary
to an eligible family member of the original
beneficiary. You can also defer withdrawals until
a later date. If the money isn’t used for qualified
education expenses, you may withdraw it subject
to certain taxes and penalties.
You always give them your most.
It makes sense to save for their
education with the plan that oers
the most. MOST–Missouri’s 529
Savings Plan makes it easy
to get started, and keep saving.
Save with the plan that
gives you the MOST
Open an account at
most529.com
It only takes about 10 minutes!
