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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
Editor-in-Chief of 529 Dash
Director of Savings Research
paul.curley@strategic-i.com
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

4Q 2018 529 and ABLE Market Sizing Highlights

• What was the 529 and ABLE market sizing as of 4Q 2018?

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

• CNBC, “This hidden factor could raise the cost of saving for college.” Editor's Take: The articles does a deep dive on 529 shareclass suitability and oversight as the topic is currently under review by FINRA, and thank you CNBC and Darla Mercado for quoting me in this article.
• ThinkAdvisor, “Student loan debt burdens boomers as well as millennials.” Editor's Take: The headline stat for the article is that 29% of the working population has some form of student loan debt. Therefore, awareness of the issue of college affordability continues to grow, and to a broader set of demographics as well. Have the college financial planning discussion today.
• Plansponsor, “Guardian makes a case for the importance of student loan benefits.” Editor's Take: College financial planning employer benefits are on the rise, and the article provides insight and statistics around the trend. Also related to this topic, Harvard Business School released an article titled, “Forget cash. Here are better ways to motivate employees” while Benefits Pro ran an article on an employer providing student loan debt repayments as an employer benefit in exchange for vacation days. Read the articles to learn more about the expanding topic of college financial planning employer benefits.
• CIO, “US educational endowments return 8.2% in 2018”

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:

• The Financial Advocate iTunes podcast hosted by Colin Meeks and Ryan Starks, “Planning Across the Spectrum with Andrew Komarow, Founder of Planning Across the Spectrum.” Editor's Take: Thank you Colin Meeks for interviewing Andrew Komarow on ABLE accounts and special needs planning. Listen to the iTunes podcast to learn more, and thank you Colin and Andrew for creating and sharing.
• CalABLE, “Events Calendar.” Editor's Take: CalABLE will host a number of informational sessions with disability service provider partners. Click the link to learn more about events that may be in your area, or to request a presenter at your event.
• 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.

Events: Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2019 will be held on September 25, 2019, at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, to deliver training, insight and networking opportunities to support the successful implementation and growth of ABLE accounts. Please save the date, look forward to seeing you there and thank you for the support.

Save the Date: Strategic Insight 529 Conference 2019 will be held from September 23-25, 2019, at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida. Sessions:

• 529 Conference: A highly interactive and educational industry gathering with the entire education financial planning ecosystem.
• 529 Essentials: A pre-conference session to train professionals on 529 plans and education financial planning in a constantly evolving market.
• ABLE Summit: A post-conference session to deliver training, insight and networking opportunities to support the successful implementation and growth of ABLE accounts.

“In terms of suitability, what's the time period of the investment?” asked Paul Curley, director of college savings research at Strategic Insight. “You have to know the goal that the money is going toward: Is it for private K-12 or is for college?”

• Source: CNBC, “This hidden factor could raise the cost of saving for college”

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