State treasurer touts savings plan's individual and big picture benefits

UNDATED - It's never too early, or too late, to start saving for a child's post-secondary education.

That's the message of Nebraska State Treasurer Tom Briese, who is criss-crossing the state touting the NEST 529 college savings plan.

The savings plan allows Nebraskans to make tax-deductible contributions into accounts where earnings grow tax free.

Briese says while contributors see tax benefits, the greater benefit can be seen in the student who can pursue post-secondary education with part of the cost already defrayed.

"I think we all agree on the importance of higher education," Briese said in a visit to the News Channel Nebraska studios in Norfolk. "Higher education really can be a game-changer in the lives of our young folks. Where we're talking a four-year school, a two-year school, a tech school, and vocational school or even an apprenticeship, that can really have an impact on their lives."

The accounts are eligible to all Nebraska children, regardless of their choice of post-secondary education.

Briese says getting more kids into post-secondary education will have a long-term impact on what's become a workforce crisis in Nebraska.

"We have roughly 60,000 unfilled jobs," the former state senator from Albion said. "I read recently that we're going to be short about 5,000 nurses by 2025. We've lost a couple thousand truckers over the last few years. I could go on. In the big picture, this is also important to helping us solve our workforce needs."

Briese is planning in-person open houses to discuss the NEST 529 plans in person:

Fri, Jun 14, 9:30 a.m. - Seward Memorial Library

Tue, Jun 18, 9:30 a.m. - Gretna Crossing YMCA

Tue, Jun 18, 3:30 p.m. - Wahoo Union Bank & Trust

Thu, Jul 11, 3:30 p.m. - Beatrice Public Library