The spring season is an ideal time to prepare for the future, which is why Nebraska State Treasurer John Murante is encouraging families to upgrade their savings by creating a college savings plan they can commit to. Assisting with those efforts — a new mascot named Nester, and a video series called “Ask Penny,” to help families navigate saving for a loved one’s future.
“The rising costs of higher education make it imperative that families either start planning or develop a strategy to increase contributions to their NEST 529 College Savings account,” said Murante. “We are proud to bring two dynamic tools, Nester and Ask Penny, to families — designed to motivate and inspire families to save funds for the expected financial needs of higher education.”
Nester, NEST 529 Mascot
Nester’s name was chosen from among more than 2,000 entries following a statewide contest. Almost 60 students submitted Nester as the name for the mascot. After a random drawing was conducted, Addison S. from Wahoo, NE was selected as the winner and received a $529 contribution to their NEST 529 account. Nester can be seen throughout the state beginning this summer.
“I want to thank everyone who submitted ideas for my name,” squawked Nester. “Saving for your future education doesn’t have to be scary or difficult. The earlier kids and their parents start to save for a higher education, the more money they’ll have when it’s time to head off to college. I’m here to help you, and your family, focus on achieving your goals and dreams.”
‘Ask Penny’ Video Series
Penny, the host of NEST 529’s new series, “Ask Penny,” helps answer questions, offer suggestions, and goes over savings strategies so you can prepare for your loved one’s college costs. Penny is a great resource as families consider saving for a child’s future. Find the videos on NEST 529’s Facebook, NEST 529’s Instagram, or at NEST529.com/AskPenny.
Visit NEST529.com to read more about the benefits of a NEST 529 College Savings Plan.
The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as the Program Trustee. All investments, including the portfolio structure offered through the NEST 529 program, are vetted and approved by the Nebraska Investment Council.
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About NEST 529
NEST 529 is a tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan and provides four plans to help make saving for college simple and affordable: NEST Direct College Savings Plan, NEST Advisor College Savings Plan, Bloomwell 529 Education Savings Plan, and State Farm 529 Savings Plan. The Nebraska State Treasurer serves as Program Trustee. Union Bank and Trust serves as Program Manager, and all investments are approved by the Nebraska Investment Council. Families nationwide are saving for college using Nebraska’s 529 College Savings Plans, which have close to 300,000 accounts. Visit NEST529.com and treasurer.nebraska.gov for more information.
About Union Bank and Trust
Founded in 1917 with over 50 years of family ownership, Union Bank and Trust offers complete banking, lending, investment, and trust services. The bank has 38 full-service and loan production offices in Nebraska and Kansas. It is the third largest privately owned bank in Nebraska, with bank assets of $7.6 billion and trust assets of $43.6 billion as of December 31, 2022. Voters have chosen Union Bank and Trust as Best Bank, Best Customer Service, Best Work Environment, and Best Financial Planner in Lincoln for eleven years running.
Important Legal Information
An investor should consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses associated with municipal fund securities before investing. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectuses and the NEST Direct College Savings Plan Program Disclosure Statement (issuer’s official statement), which should be read carefully before investing. You can lose money by investing in an Investment Option. Each of the Investment Options involves investment risks, which are described in the Program Disclosure Statement.
An investor should consider, before investing, whether the investor’s or beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state’s 529 plan. Investors should consult their tax advisor, attorney, and/or other advisor regarding their specific legal, investment, or tax situation.
The NEST Direct College Savings Plan (the “Plan”) is sponsored by the State of Nebraska, administered by the Nebraska State Treasurer, and the Nebraska Investment Council provides investment oversight. Union Bank and Trust Company serves as Program Manager for the Plan. The Plan offers a series of Investment Options within the Nebraska Educational Savings Plan Trust (the “Trust”), which offers other Investment Options not affiliated with the Plan. The Plan is intended to operate as a qualified tuition program.
Except for any investments made by a Plan participant in the Bank Savings Static Investment Option up to the limit provided by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance, neither the principal contributed to an account, nor earnings thereon, are guaranteed or insured by the State of Nebraska, the Nebraska State Treasurer, the Nebraska Investment Council, the Trust, the Plan, any other state, any agency or instrumentality thereof, Union Bank and Trust Company, the FDIC, or any other entity. Investment returns are not guaranteed. Account owners in the Plan assume all investment risk, including the potential loss of principal.
NOT FDIC INSURED*| NO BANK GUARANTEE | MAY LOSE VALUE
(*Except the Bank Savings Static Investment Option Underlying Investment)
