529 Dash, Required Reading for Your 529 Education: 
The 529 Dash e‑newsletter helps institutions, financial professionals, employers, and families navigate education financial planning by sharing timely industry news, product insights, market data, and best practices while promoting awareness of 529 plans and ABLE accounts.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

Paul Curley, CFA
Executive Director
ISS Market Intelligence
paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com

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

• Ramsey Everyday Millionaires (YouTube), “Why is a 529 better than a brokerage account.” Editor’s Take: Thank you, Dave Ramsey and the Ramsey Solutions team, for clearly explaining why a 529 plan is a stronger investment vehicle than a brokerage account when saving for education, college, career training, K-12, credentials, apprenticeships and beyond. This video offers valuable perspectives and best practices—from why 529s matter, to how they can now be used for a growing range of qualified education expenses, and the long-term power of tax‑advantaged investing. Special thanks to Ramsey Solutions as well for the opportunity to interview Anthony O’Neal in 2019 in the 529 Insiders article here. Watch, learn, and share.
• IRS, “529 Plans: Questions and answer.” Editor’s Take: This page was reviewed and updated on January 30, 2026. If you’re a 529 insider, taking a few minutes to review the questions and answers may help you address many of the common questions that come your way. As a reminder, IRS Publication 970 is an excellent resource and includes guidance on a wide range of frequently asked questions related to education tax benefits. Review, bookmark, and share.
• SEC, “An Introduction to 529 Plans – Investor Bulletin.” Editor’s Take: This page was reviewed and updated on January 28, 2026. In addition, the SEC released an article here on January 28, 2026 outlining ten questions to consider before opening a 529 account. Reviewing this guidance can be helpful in understanding key considerations and navigating the available options. Take time to become familiar with the sections, bookmark the resources, and revisit them as needed for future reference.
• 529 Insiders, “4Q 2025 529 & ABLE market sizing highlights.” Editor’s Take: 529 plans continue to show strong growth across assets, accounts, and gross sales. As qualified expenses expand to reach a broader target market, this growth is reinforced by greater scale—fueling ease‑of‑use enhancements that further accelerate adoption and drive the next cycle of momentum. Click the link to learn more about 529 and ABLE market sizing as of December 31, 2025.

• Date: May 29, 2026
• Time: 12pm-1pm EST
• Register: Here
• Title: 529 Day 2026: Top Trends in 529 Plans
• Description:

Hosted by Paul Curley, CFA, Executive Director at ISS Market Intelligence, and Trisha Good, Executive Director of Ohio’s 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage, ISS MI’s 529 webinar celebrates 30 years of 529s and builds awareness and understanding of 529s through:

• • 529 reminders, tips and best practices
  • New themes and updates on education financial planning for families
  • Key developments impacting the 529 landscape in 2026 
  • 529 market sizing, trends and insights in 2026
  • New industry intelligence from ISS MI’s annual surveys of parents, advisors, and employers
  • 529 & ABLE industry announcements and product enhancements

Whether you’re supporting families (including your own), working with employee benefit solutions, advising clients, or shaping the industry, this webinar provides practical product training, actionable best practices, and data‑driven insight into where the 529 market has been—and where it’s heading next.

529 Conference 2026

• Dates: September 23–25, 2026
• Location: JW Marriott Nashville
• Hotel Room: Book in room block here
• Event Website: Link
• Registration: Now open here
• Agenda: Link
• Event Updates: 
  • Thank you BlackRock for your support of the event as Wednesday’s Lunch Sponsor
  • Preliminary agenda has been released online on the 529 Conference website under Agenda tab here, and updates to the agenda will be posted live as confirmed

Please consider forwarding this e‑newsletter to a colleague and encouraging them to subscribe using the link here. You can also click “reply” anytime to connect or share feedback, thoughts, or ideas on the newsletter or broader industry trends. Cheers to creating a great day.