529 Dash, Required Reading for Your 529 Education: 
The goal of the 529 Dash is to help institutions, financial professionals, employers, and families in the education financial planning process by creating and sharing industry relevant news, product training, market data and best practices, while also building awareness and understanding of the importance of 529 plans and ABLE accounts.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

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

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

• CNBC, “Trump’s new tax law expands 529 savings plan uses as families gear up for back to school.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Sharon Epperson, CNBC, Vanguard, Patricia Roberts, and Gift of College for raising awareness, understanding and prioritization of 529s and education financial planning. Read the article to learn more about how expanding qualified expenses broadens the target market of 529s which improves the economies of scale to accelerate the implementation of ease of use enhancements. 
• WA529 Invest, “How our 529 plan works.” Editor’s Take: Thank you WA529 for creating and sharing this overview, and I especially like the graphic showing the value of starting a 529 with $5,000 and then making a $100 per month contribution over 8, 12 and 18 years. 
• Ohio 529 CollegeAdvantage, “Scholarships and 529 plans team up for debt-free education.” Editor’s Take: Creating an education financial plan using 529s along with scholarships and other funding channels do go a long way, and read the article to learn more.
• PLANSPONSOR, “529, ABLE Account Assets up 11.8% Year Over Year in Q2.” Editor’s Take: Thank you PLANSPONSOR for highlighting the 2Q 2025 market data update along with industry trends and commentary. Read, learn and grow.
• 529 Insiders, “2Q 2025 529 & ABLE market sizing highlights.” Editor’s Take: Click the link to learn more about 529 and ABLE market sizing as of June 30, 2025.

• Dates: September 29 – October 1, 2025
• Location: Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida, USA
• Registration: Register here
• Hotel Room: Book in event room block here by September 5th. If a particular night is not available when booking online with this link, please contact Paul Curley and the ISS MI event operations team for help in booking the room directly with the hotel. 
• Agenda: Current version here
  • Sunday, September 28: Welcome Reception
  • Monday, September 29: Day 1 – 529 Essentials Seminar
  • Tuesday, September 30: Day 2 – 529 Conference Panels, Presentations & Roundtables
  • Wednesday, October 1: Day 3 – 529 Conference Final Half Day of Panels, Presentations & Roundtables
• Event Updates:
  • Steve Jobe, Founder, SRJ 529 Consulting LLC, has been confirmed as moderator of the “Outlook for 529s in 2026 & Beyond” 529 Conference panel.
  • Session descriptions are in the process of getting added to the online agenda.

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