PTPTN Warrior Nadia Knowledge Chief

Start now, seriously, time is your biggest advantage with a newborn, you have 18 years of compounding. My approach for my two kids, a layered one. First, SSPN (now SSPN Prime/Plus) is worth opening because it gives income tax relief (up to a limit per year), competitive dividends, and takaful coverage in some variants, plus it is a disciplined dedicated pot you wont casually raid. Second, for growth beyond that, I do a low cost global index fund / ETF with a monthly standing instruction, because over 18 years equities historically beat conservative products, and education inflation is high so you need growth. Third, I skip the expensive "education insurance plans" from agents, many have high fees and mediocre returns dressed up with insurance you may not need, I keep insurance and investing separate (buy term insurance for protection, invest the rest). The magic is CONSISTENCY, a modest amount monthly from birth beats a panic lump sum at age 15. Automate it so you never skip. Also, dont over-sacrifice your own retirement for their education, they can get loans/scholarships for uni, nobody lends you money for retirement.