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529 Dash, Required Reading for Your 529 Education: The goal of the 529 Dash is to address the specific needs and concerns of advisers and institutions who sell and service families and employers in the education financial planning process by creating and sharing industry relevant news, product training and best practices, while also building awareness and understanding of the importance of 529s, ABLE accounts and education financial planning.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

Paul Curley, CFA
Editor-in-Chief of 529 Dash
Director of Savings Research
paul.curley@strategic-i.com
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

Here is what you need to know from stories, research and data released this week:

• Planadviser, “Middle-income Americans fret college and retirement costs.” Editor's Take: Demand and prioritization of college financial planning is on the rise.
• Finterested, “The $328B missed opportunity and who is best positioned to capitalize.” Editor's Take: Thank you Matt Coletti for identifying and highlighting that the college financial planning industry has an opportunity to launch a round-up program for 529 plans. Hopefully including the article here will help get the message out to the marketplace that there is an opportunity to launch a program, as a round-up program for 529s may just be the tipping point needed to help families to save and save efficiently for their educational goals. Read the article to learn more about this idea. In the meantime, thank you Matt for sharing this article with me, and Go Newton South Lions!
• Physician on Fire, “529 plans: What you need to know about college savings plans.” Editor's Take: Thank you for discussing college financial planning and 529 plans. Your coverage will help to build awareness on this important topic, and read the article to learn more about college financial planning and financial independence.
• CollegeAdvantage, “Rethink your refund to fund your 529.” Editor's Take: Timely strategy to grow you and your client's college fund. Read the article to learn more, and thank you for your writing and sharing.

Here is the latest 529 and ABLE market data by Strategic Insight that can be used by the media and other organizations.

ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for certain individuals with disabilities and their families.

News, Research, Data & Resources:

• Washington Post, “Rockville parents build a rental complex for their son to share with other adults with disabilities – and also be part of the community.” Editor's Take: Timely long-form article on several issues relating to ABLE accounts and accountowners. Read to learn more about some of the issues and community groups involved.
• ABLE United, “ABLE United New Account Features.” Editor's Take: Florida is hosting an educational webinar on new account features on April 1st at 2pm EST and April 2nd at 11am EST. Register with the link to learn more.
• Twitter, “Tweets. Media.” Editor's Take: This section provides links to live photos and videos posted over the past week by ABLE program managers and community leadership organizations, and this week includes a post by STABLE Account and ABLE New Mexico. Thank you STABLE, Doug and ABLE New Mexico for building awareness through outreach which will continue to help more families to successfully use ABLE accounts.

Save the Date: Strategic Insight 529 Conference 2019 will be held from September 23-25, 2019, at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida. Sessions:

• 529 Conference: A highly interactive and educational industry gathering with the entire education financial planning ecosystem.
• 529 Essentials: A pre-conference session to train professionals on 529 plans and education financial planning in a constantly evolving market.
• ABLE Summit: A post-conference session to deliver training, insight and networking opportunities to support the successful implementation and growth of ABLE accounts.

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