PHILADELPHIA, July 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With the back to school shopping season approaching, parents nationwide are preparing for the immediate education needs of their young children. But for savvy parents, it's also a smart time to consider their child's long-term education needs - saving for college. With college costs rising 8% per year, it's never too early to start saving. Luckily, Futuretrust(R) is ready to help make saving for this overwhelming expense a little easier. Futuretrust enables parents to begin saving for their children's education prior to their being born and throughout their lives. This college savings program helps parents get a headstart on college savings with rebates that are automatically deposited into the tax-free 529 college savings plan of their choice. So, while Futuretrust members shop for their children's school supplies and clothing, they are simultaneously boosting their college savings painlessly and effortlessly. And they'll get even bigger rebates when they shop online at Futuretrust preferred merchants such as Wal-Mart(R), Barnes & Noble(R), OfficeMax(R), The Children's Place(R), Lands' End(R), Macy's(R) and Best Buy(R). The program is simple. Futuretrust and its merchant partners contribute a portion of every purchase into the member's tax-free 529-college savings plan. Unlike other programs, Futuretrust can be linked to any 529 plan and Futuretrust can help members open a 529 plan through partners such as TIAA- CREF(R) and AXA Advisors, LLC. Unlike other programs, Futuretrust has no cap on the amount of rebates that can be earned, so there is no limit to the amount members can save. Members earn 1% back every time they make a purchase with their Futuretrust MasterCard. They'll get bigger rebates when they shop at any of the over 1,000 retail partners in the Futuretrust Preferred Merchant Network which consists of major retail chains, catalogs, restaurants and online merchants. There is no cost to join and no annual fee. "With Futuretrust, parents can help their child go to college every time a purchase is made," said Futuretrust Founder and President Rebecca Matthias. "Parents and families can make a difference before the child is born and throughout their lives. There is no substitute for education." For Futuretrust college savings information or to apply, visit http://www.futuretrust.com/ or call 1-888-TRUST68. Applications are even available at any of the following leading maternity retailers: Motherhood(R) Maternity, Mimi Maternity(R), A Pea in the Pod(R) and Destination Maternity(R). Futuretrust(R) is a Mothers Work, Inc. brand and is a MasterCard(R)-linked college savings program that enables families and friends to get a 'jump' on saving for college. Futuretrust has no membership fee. Rebates are automatically contributed to a tax-advantaged 529-college savings plan of the member's choice. Members earn a minimum of 1% every time they make a purchase with the Futuretrust MasterCard, accepted at millions of locations. Members also earn additional college savings when they use the Futuretrust MasterCard at thousands of partners in the Futuretrust Preferred Merchant Network consisting of major retail chains, catalogs, restaurants and on-line merchants. Members can also earn college savings rebates when they buy, sell, finance, or refinance a home, as well as moving services and home warranty transactions. Applications are available at over 750 Motherhood(R) Maternity, Mimi Maternity(R), A Pea in the Pod(R) and Destination Maternity(R) locations, online at http://www.futuretrust.com/ or by calling 1.888.trust68. About 529 Plans A 529 College Savings Plan is a state-sponsored, tax-advantaged savings plan that can help families and individuals save for higher education expenses. These plans offer a number of benefits, including tax-deferred growth and federal income tax-free withdrawals when used for qualified education expenses. This federal income tax-free treatment of qualified withdrawals and other federal tax benefits are now permanent for 529 plans through the passage of the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Savings can be used at most accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. and at many colleges abroad. Qualified expenses include tuition, fees, eligible room and board, books, supplies and required equipment for attendance at a higher education institution. In addition to the federal tax benefit, many states offer a state income tax deduction for contributions to their plans as well as state income tax-free withdrawals for qualified expenses. Mothers Work press releases available through Company News On-Call at http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/581877.html DATASOURCE: Futuretrust CONTACT: Judie Ashworth of Futuretrust, +1-215-873-2283, ; or Linda Falcone, , or Erin Doyle, , both of Blue Sky Communications, +1-212-995-1777 Web site: http://www.futuretrust.com/ http://www.motherswork.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/581877.html

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