– 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

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

• Financial Planning, “Kitces: The right way to prioritize tax-preferenced savings strategies.” Editor's Take: Thank you for including 529s and college financial planning as part of holistic financial planning.
• Washington Post, “Sending your kids to college increases the chances you’ll lose your house.” Editor's Take: The importance of college financial planning continues to rise. Have the conversation with your clients today.
• Reuters, “Attention retirement savers: college 529 plans aren't just for kids.” Editor's Take: Good reminder that 529s can be used for lifelong learners, in addition to children and mid-career accelerators or changers.
• Boston College Center for Retirement Research, “Game show pays off student loans.” Editor's Take: As the tenor of the student loan debt crisis increases, so does the expansion of awareness of the issue to and through extreme mediums such as television game shows. This should increase demand for 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:

• IRS, “Guidance on the contribution limits applicable to ABLE accounts.” Editor's Take: Timely article that provides guidance on ABLE accounts from a leading source of information. Read, or bookmark for reference at a later point in time.
• The Columbian, “State’s ABLE savings plan a boost for people with disabilities.” Editor's Take: The article includes insight from an attorney that does estate planning on how ABLE accounts compare and contrast to an endowment trust fund.
• Companions on Your Journey, “Choose your own financial story.” Editor's Take: Alexandra Baig, CFP, provides a story on how ABLE can help families to save and save efficiently.
• 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. Thank you for building awareness through outreach which will continue to help more families to successfully use ABLE accounts.
• 529 Insiders, “529 & ABLE 1Q 2018 529 Data Highlights”

Events: Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2018 will be held on September 26, 2018, at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Registration is now open, and early bird registration rates is available through August 17th here.

Agenda Update:

• Colin Meeks, Certified Financial Planner Professional, Maryland Financial Advocates, Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC, has been confirmed as moderator of the “ABLE Implementation: Product, Marketing & Distribution Perspective” panel.

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.
How: Registration now open, and early bird registration rates now available through August 17th here.

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