Choosing a 529 investment portfolio...?

Question

We are setting up a 529 account for our 9-month old daughter. I have a few questions though.

How should I choose an investment portfolio (link to options available below)

https://content.putnam.com/content/assembler/Template/shared/html/products/college/529_options.htm

What are the likely risks/benefits of choosing a moderate/aggressive age based portfolio over a conservative age based portfolio.

I'm assuming an age-based will be best (for me) because it will automatically re-adjust itself every 3-months and not require much work on my part. Although I'm definately open to suggestions.

Thank you for any help.

Answer 1

I suppose the big disadvantage of the agressive portfolio, over the conservative, would be if we were to enter a long term bear market, the agressive portfolio would not be worth as much.  Otoh, if we have a normal market, your agressive portfolio would be worth more.

If you don't want to pick your own funds, then age based is the way to go.  By the way, I would not use Putnam.  My 401k used to be with Putnam.  Their funds are unimpressive.  I would use Fidelity, Vanguard, or TRPrice.  

Check out www.savingforcollege.com