LA Start Plan

Personally, I don't like accounts that you can't touch. I'd just invest in an account you can use for other things and take the tax hit as the cost to have flexibility.

Imagine she gets a scholarship somewhere and doesn't need the money or has TOPS, etc. I'd rather have the money available for a variety of uses rather than having it locked in an education specific fund (unless you feel like it is easier to not spend the money by having it inaccessible- in that case, go for it).

Huge pro is state matching up to 14% of your contribution based on last years Adjusted Gross Income from your tax return.

Example. Your AGI LAST year was $40,000. You now know for each dollar you contribute to 529 plan THIS year the state will automatically match 11%. That's guaranteed return even before tax free investment growth. If you know one tax year may be better or worse than others you can make contributions planning for it. The match is between 2-14% based on last years AGI.

With the match, tax free growth, state tax deduction it's a no brainier. My daughter starts LSU this fall and we have fully funded. If you are worried about getting TOPS etc and not needing so much of your 529 then don't fund as much along the way. You can transfer the money to another beneficiary though like other children, grandchildren or others.

CON. Nothing of note that wouldn't be offset by advantages in my experience.