– 529 Insiders Article of the Week
– News & Research
– Data
– ABLE Act Column
– Events

529 Dash, Required Reading for Your 529 Education: The goal of the 529 Dash is to address the specific needs and concerns of advisers, accountants and estate planners who sell and service families and institutions in the college financial planning process by providing industry relevant news, product training and best practices.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

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

Target Market Analysis 2018: Trend in Parents Saving and Using 529s

• What percentage of parents save for college, save for college with 529s and save for college without 529s in 2018?

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

• 20.3% of those that borrow for college use a credit card, while 5.0% use home equity loans and 93.7% use student loans. Editor's Take: Therefore, the total debt for education is higher than the $1.4 trillion in student loans, and the issue is much larger than traditioanally reported in the media. Advisors have an opportunity to help their clients to plan ahead of this life event. Have the conversation today.
• Savvy Financial, “Stop using savings accounts for college!” Editor's Take: As covered in the 529 Insiders article here, research by Strategic Insight confirms that $298 billion was saved in cash or other banking products as of 2016 compared to $275 billion in 529 plans. Therefore, advisors have an opportunity to help their clients to save and save efficiently for education from a long-term performance, tax, financial aid and estate planning perspective.
• Last Week's Most Read Article: Kiplinger, “Gifting college to your grandchild.” Editor's Take: Story provides the family perspective on college financial planning.

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:

• Think Advisor, “Investing in 529, ABLE Plans? Better Check Tax Law Changes.” Editor's Take: Coverage by national publications will increase awareness, understanding and demand for planning with ABLE accounts.
• House GOP, “House GOP Chair at Heritage: People are dreaming again.” Editor's Take: The article provides a video recording and transcript of Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) providing insight into trends in ABLE accounts and 529s. Also, thank you Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) for quoting Strategic Insight's ABLE market data of over 17,000 accounts investing over $72 million as of 4Q 2017, and much appreciated.
• Twitter, “Tweets. Media.” Editor's Take: This section provides links to live photos taken and posted over the past week by ABLE program managers, and this week includes posts by ABLE New Mexico, MO ABLE, NC ABLE and Oregon ABLE Savings. Additionally, Congresswomen Cathy McMorris Rodgers posted a photo on ABLE here. Thank you for building awareness through outreach which will continue to help more families to successfully use ABLE accounts.
• 529 Insiders, “529 & ABLE 4Q 2017 529 Data Highlights”

Events: Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2018 will be held on September 26, 2018, at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes.

When: September 24-26, 2018
Where: JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
What: A highly interactive and educational industry gathering with the entire college financial planning ecosystem.

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