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

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

This week’s 529 Insiders Article of the Week rounds up this month’s 529 Insiders articles. Next week will feature an interview with David Rossell, Author of “A Millennial’s Guide to Financial Planning” which was released on June 13, 2017.

Round-Up:
1) 2Q 2017 Strategic Insight 529 and ABLE Data Highlights
2) Reader’s Perspective: Question and Answer with Nannette Kamien, MBA, Principal with Inspiration Financial Planning LLC
3) Reader’s Perspective: Question and Answer with Douglas A. Boneparth, CFP, AIF, MBA, President at Bone Fide Wealth and Author of “The Millennial Money Fix”
4) 529 Conference 2017: Print Ad

Here is what you need to know from stories released this week.

– PLANADVISER, “Financial wellness is about boosting confidence.” Editor’s Take: Advisors have an opportunity to help their corporate clients to include college financial planning employer benefits to meet the needs of their current and potential employees.
– The Biglaw Investor, “How to know if you’re saving enough.” Editor’s Take: Focus your clients on increasing their savings rate for higher education, in addition to performance.
– Advisor News, “Why age 5 is a tipping point for college savings.” Editor’s Take: 28% of 529 beneficiaries are between the ages of 5 and 10 years old, and read the 529 Insiders article here to learn what the percentages are for other age ranges.
– PLANSPONSOR, “Employers eyeing total well being programs.” Editor’s Take: Expanding your employer benefit offering to include college financial planning will help you to differentiate your practice area.
– Wise Bread, “12 surprising ways to get more college financial aid.” Editor’s Take: Some helpful tips on maximizing financial aid. Also, the article covers the impact of grandparent assets on FAFSA, which may help in the planning process.

Here is what you need to know from data and research released this week.

– 75% of Millennials that are holding student loan debt report that their level of debt is unmanageable. Editor’s Take: Advisors have an opportunity to help their clients, client’s children and client’s grandchildren to repay their student loan debt through enhanced cash flow management. As such, college financial planning includes the saving, paying and repaying phase of college expenses.
– 40% of student loan borrowers owe more than $20,000 at graduation, compared to 20% in 2002. Editor’s Take: Advisors have an opportunity to fill the growing need and demand by clients.

Here is the latest 529 and ABLE market data by Strategic Insight that can be used by the media and other organizations, and contact Strategic Insight for more information and commentary on its proprietary data, research, events and digital publications.

When: September 11-13, 2017
Where: JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
Website: http://www.529conference.com/

Overview: A highly interactive and educational industry gathering with the entire college financial planning ecosystem.
— Pre-conference optional session: ‘Essentials Seminar’ provides training on 529 plans in a constantly evolving market.
— Post-conference optional session: ‘ABLE Afternoon Summit’ provides insight and networking opportunities to support the successful implementation and growth of ABLE accounts.

This week’s top news, research, resources and data on ABLE accounts, which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for certain individuals with disabilities and their families.

News, Research, Data & Resources:
– PRWeb, “Colorado launches savings program for people with disabilities.” Editor’s Take: Read the press release to learn more about the new product. Also, Strategic Insight has updated its “List of open ABLE programs” to reflect the launch. In the meantime, congrats to CollegeInvest and the state of Colorado.
– Webinar, “Choosing the right ABLE program for you” by the National Disability Institute (NDI). Editor’s Take: Martha Savery, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at MEFA, and John Nadworny, parent of ABLE account owner, provide an overview of standard practices across programs, differences between programs and how best to prepare to open an account.
– Webinar, “ABLE United and government benefits.” Editor’s Take: This webinar features a presentation by Ken Brown of the Social Security Administration to explain how ABLE accounts can be used while maintaining eligibility for Social Security benefits.
– 529 Insiders, “529 & ABLE 2Q 2017 529 Data Highlights.” Editor’s Take: ABLE is successfully helping a growing number of families to save for qualified expenses.

Events: ABLE Deep-Dive Afternoon Summit 2017 on September 13, 2017 at the JW Marriott, Orlando Grande Lakes. This summit provides insight and networking opportunities to support the successful implementation and usage of ABLE accounts, and please register to learn, network and grow.

To inquire about having Paul speak at your event, please email: paul.curley@strategic-i.com

“College financial planning isn’t just about a short-term college planning problem. It’s a comprehensive financial planning puzzle that takes into account all other aspects of their financial lives including retirement and tax planning.”

– Nannette Kamien, MBA, Principal with Inspiration Financial Planning LLC

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