June 23, 2026

Don’t Overthink It: A 529 Plan Guide with Martha Kortiak Mert

What are 529 plans and why should parents start one as early as possible? How can parents overcome decision paralysis? What are some of the biggest misconceptions about 529 plans? Martha Kortiak Mert answers these questions and explains more about 529 plans in this episode.

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About the episode

In this episode, Martha Kortiak Mert, Chief Operating Officer at Saving for College, breaks down everything families need to know about 529 plans, starting with why getting started early matters more than finding the “perfect” plan. Martha tackles common misconceptions head-on, including the myth that families must use their own state’s plan, the confusion around prepaid tuition plans, and the financial aid impact of 529 savings on the FAFSA. She also explains why families get stuck in analysis paralysis, both before opening an account and when choosing investments, and why age-based portfolios are often the simplest, most stress-free option for parents who don’t want to actively manage their child’s account.

Martha then walks through what to actually look for when choosing a 529 plan, from state tax deductions to performance history and convenience, while reinforcing that no single decision is permanent since funds can be rolled over or beneficiaries changed at any time. She highlights just how flexible 529 funds have become, covering K-12 expenses, vocational and apprenticeship programs, graduate school, student loan repayment, and even rollovers into a Roth IRA.

Mentioned in this episode

Host

Will Geiger

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut.Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

Guest

Martha Kortiak Mert

Martha Kortiak Mert is the Chief Operating Officer at Saving For College, which operates savingforcollege.com, the leading online resource for families seeking information on 529 plans and how to save and pay for college. She is a recognized subject matter expert on 529 plans, focused on demystifying college savings for parents and grandparents. She has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, CNBC, U.S. News & World Report, Financial Advisor, and numerous other publications, news programs and podcasts.