529 Dash, Required Reading for Your 529 Education: 
The goal of the 529 Dash e-newsletter 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

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

• Federal Reserve Bank of New York, “Household Debt and Credit Report.” Editor’s Take: Student loan debt rose to $1.653 trillion as of Q3 2025, just a touch below auto debt at $1.655 trillion but higher than credit card debt at $1.233 trillion. Flows into serious delinquency as defined as 90 days or more delinquent rose to 14.26%. Clearly, the importance of creating and executing an education financial plan with 529s continues to rise. Have the conversation today. 
• New York Times, “More Disabled People Can Open Special Savings Accounts. Do You Qualify?” Editor’s Take: ABLE Age Adjustment Act goes into effect in 2026, allowing the age of onset for eligibility to open an ABLE account from 26 to 46 years old. Learn more by reading the article and more about ABLE accounts, and share. In the meantime, thank you Ann Carrns for sourcing ISS Market Intelligence in the article.
• MEFA Podcast, “LinkedIn.” Editor’s Take: Thank you MEFA and Jonathan Hughes for raising awareness, understanding and prioritization of 529 plans and education financial planning, and thank you for including ISS Market Intelligence and market data from CSF Data Committee. Watch, learn and share, and cheers to creating a great day!
• Forbes, “Best 529 plans of 2026.” Editor’s Take: This article includes a list of six plans, editor’s take on those six plans, and pros and cons of each of those six plans. Additionally, the article includes several categorizes including best for low fees, investment customization, financial advisor plans, state tax benefits, easy withdrawals and for Fidelity Investors. The article closes with methodology, FAQs and fundamentals on 529s. As 529s grow from an assets, accounts and awareness perspective, so will coverage of the investment vehicle. 
• 529 Insiders, “3Q 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.

529 Conference 2026 – Save the Date:

• Dates: September 23–25, 2026
• Location: JW Marriott Nashville
• Information: Please contact Paul Curley if you have any questions about the event such as registration, sponsorships, agenda, format, and more.

Please forward the e-newsletter to others to subscribe using the link here, or click “reply” anytime to connect or share feedback, thoughts, and ideas on the newsletter or industry trends. Cheers to creating a great day.