How to calculate the value of retirement assets

[mazewanderer]

<p>Reed college for example does not consider retirement accounts</p>

<p>[Reed</a> College | Financial Aid | Determining financial need](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/financialaid/handbook_need.html]Reed”>http://www.reed.edu/financialaid/handbook_need.html)</p>

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The analysis of your parents’ assets includes the amount of any cash, savings, and checking accounts; the equity they have in their home; the equity they have in any investments, real estate, business or farm; and assets held in the name of your siblings, including pre-paid tuition plans. Retirement savings, including IRA accounts and pension plans, are not included as assets in the need analysis formula. As with income, allowances are made to exclude a portion of your parents’ assets from the need analysis calculation.

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<p>So each college may treat retirement assets differently and if you call around you might get an idea of how to fill it up.</p>