– News & Research
– 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 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
Director of Savings Research
529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence
paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

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

• WGVU Audio Recording, “Michigan Education Trust.” Editor's Take: Thank you Robin Lott, Executive Director of Michigan Education Trust (MET) for your time and insight on the radio recording, and for your industry leadership. Click, listen and learn.
• IDeal YouTube Video, “IDeal for HR Managers.” Editor's Take: Thank you Christie Stoll for your insight and intelligence on this timely topic, as HB 550 now allows Idaho employers to receive a 20% tax credit for contributions to their employee's IDeal account (up to $500 per employee annually). In doing so, Idaho joins Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, Nevada, Wisconsin and Utah in offering an employer tax incentive. I have set the video to the first in my “Financial Literacy & 529s” playlist, and click the link to watch and learn more.
• ISS Market Intelligence Webinar Replay by Paul Curley, “529 Primer & Industry Landscape Update 2020″ from 3/31/2020.” Editor's Take: Thank you for your time and support in attending the live webinar, and please click the link to view a recording of the 529 Primer webinar as well.
• ISS Market Intelligence, “529 & ABLE Legislative Update 2020” Webinar on 4/30/2020 by Paul Curley. Editor's Take: On April 30, 2020, Paul Curley will present an update and analysis on the SECURE Act, including the expansion of 529 qualified distributions at the Federal level to student loans and apprenticeships. The session will also provide a qualitative and quantitative overview of the expansion of qualified distributions to K-12 based on our proprietary data and research, and the impacts of that legislation on your current and target clients. Lastly, the webinar will highlight industry announcements, ABLE legislative updates, ISS MI 529 data and research updates, and a Q&A session with our 529 product specialist. Click the link to learn more and to register for April's webinar.
• 529 Insiders, “Special Section: Round-Up on Market Volatility & Coronavirus.” Editor's Take: This article was updated this week to include new blog posts by The Education Plan, my529, Future Scholar 529, ABLEnow and College Savings Plan Network (CSPN). This 529 Insiders article will be updated as additional messages are published by 529 providers and distributors, and included here in the 529 Dash e-newsletter going forward. Read the article to learn more.
• 529 Insiders, “Status Board: SECURE Act 529 State Updates.” Editor's Take: The status board was updated this week to reflect a recategorization for Maryland, New Mexico, South Carolina, Utah, and New Mexico. Click the link to review the updated status board.
• 529 Insiders, “Status Board: K-12 State Updates.” Editor's Take: The status board was updated this week to reflect a change in categorization for Illinois. Click the link to review the current status board.
• 529 Insiders, “4Q 2019 529 and ABLE Market Sizing Highlights.” Editor's Take: Here is the latest 529 and ABLE market data 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:

• ABLEnow, “What Should Investors Do During Market Uncertainty?” and “Coronavirus: A Message from ABLEnow.” Editor's Take: ABLE product providers have business continuity plans in place. Thank you ABLEnow for your important messages, and we expect additional ABLE product providers to share important messages in the near future as well.
• Buzz Feed News, “The coronavirus response shows how crucial accessibility is.” Editor's Take: Powerful story for the ABLE community stakeholders. COVID-19 has shown the capability to allow better accommodations for all people, and provides hope for continued access to technology and accommodations for all people going forward.
• ABLEnow, “Information Session.” Editor's Take: Thank you ABLEnow for raising awareness and understanding of ABLE accounts. I'll call in, and look forward to learning more. Click the link to join and support the team. Also, click the article here titled “Three Things to Know About Stimulus Payments” to learn about this timely topic as well.
• ISS Market Intelligence, “529 & ABLE Legislative Update 2020” Webinar on 4/30/2020 by Paul Curley. Editor's Take: On April 30, 2020, Paul Curley will present an update and analysis on the 529 & ABLE legislative landscape. Also, I will highlight 529 and ABLE industry announcements, legislative updates, data and research updates, and a Q&A session with our 529 and ABLE product specialist. Click the link to register for April's webinar, and email me if you have an announcement that you would like highlighted in the session. Thank you for the support.

Save the Date: 529 Conference 2020 will be held from September 24-26, 2020, at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.

Updates:

• 529 Essentials Agenda Update: Amy Sochard, Vice President-Advertising Regulation, FINRA, and Derek Ashworth, Associate Director-Advertising Regulation, FINRA, have been confirmed as presenters of the “Advertising Regulation Overview” session.

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