As a fiduciary financial advisor in Clemmons, Holland Capital helps couples with children in college pay for school, keep retirement on track and plan for the years after the last tuition bill. We work with clients in Clemmons by video and phone, and meet in person by appointment at the Regus center in Bermuda Run.
The college years test every other goal.
Clemmons is a village of about 22,800 people on the western edge of Forsyth County, near the Yadkin River.
For parents with a child in college, the bills are large and arrive on a schedule. Retirement saving, the mortgage and your other goals still need attention at the same time.
A plan puts all of it in one place, so each decision is made with the others in view.
Paying for College Now
Tuition can come from several places: a 529 plan, current pay, savings and, in some cases, loans.
The order matters. 529 money can come out tax-free for qualified education costs, but those withdrawals need to be coordinated with any education tax credit you plan to claim. Taking money from retirement accounts is usually the last choice, because it can add to your tax bill and takes money your retirement still needs.
An education tax credit may also apply, depending on your income. The same expenses cannot support both the credit and a tax-free 529 withdrawal, so we plan the two together.
Keeping Retirement on Track
It can be tempting to stop retirement contributions until the last child graduates.
A smaller retirement contribution may be enough for a few years. If your employer offers a match, the plan should also account for how much you need to contribute to receive it. We show what the college years do to your retirement date and what it would take to stay on course.
Our guide on retirement savings versus college savings covers the trade-off.
RETIREMENT ENGINEERING™
The Order Matters
Five retirement decisions and why timing matters.
After the Last Tuition Bill
When the tuition payments stop, monthly cash flow opens up. Deciding in advance where it goes can help you make more progress toward retirement.
Money left in a 529 plan can stay for a younger child or a future grandchild. Under rules that began in 2024, part of it may also move to the student’s Roth IRA, within limits.
Your savings are invested under a written investment policy statement that changes as tuition ends and retirement gets closer.
At Holland Capital, investment management for a family in the college years keeps tuition money and retirement money on separate tracks.
How We Work with Clients in Clemmons
Holland Capital Management is an independent registered investment adviser and a fiduciary. M. Chad Holland, CFA, CFP® works directly with clients and is responsible for the planning and advice.
Bring each child’s expected costs for the remaining years, your 529 statements, recent pay stubs, a statement for each retirement account and your latest tax return.
We map the tuition years and the years after, and show how each choice changes your retirement date.
The first conversation is free. If there is work worth doing after that, we will define the scope and cost before you decide whether to move forward.
Holland Capital is based in Charlotte. If you are looking for a fiduciary financial advisor in Clemmons, we meet by appointment at the Regus center at 106 York Way in Bermuda Run, about 6 minutes from Clemmons, and handle shorter check-ins by video or phone. Holland Capital does not maintain a branch office in Clemmons.
We work with clients throughout North Carolina. You can see the other North Carolina communities we serve here.
Our what we do page explains how a planning engagement works.
RETIREMENT ENGINEERING™
The Order Matters
Five retirement decisions and why timing matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Work with a Fiduciary Financial Advisor During the College Years?
Holland Capital acts as a fiduciary when providing financial planning and investment advice. For parents paying tuition, that means weighing each child’s costs against your own retirement.
When we manage your investments, our fee is based on them. We explain the fee before you decide.
Should We Stop Saving for Retirement While Paying Tuition?
Stopping completely can cost more than it seems, especially if it means giving up an employer match.
The right amount depends on how many years of tuition remain and when you plan to retire. We run the numbers both ways.
Where Would We Meet from Clemmons?
At the Regus center at 106 York Way in Bermuda Run, about 6 minutes away, just across the Yadkin River. Meetings are by appointment.
Updates between meetings can happen by video or phone.
Photo: NS777 / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0, cropped.
