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:

• Invesco, “But wait, there’s more: A brief guide to accelerated gifting in 529 plans.” Editor’s Take: Invesco’s Insight write-up provides an overview of how accelerated gifting works, why this type of strategy is impactful under four planning scenarios, and key tax rules and considerations for advisor. Read to learn more, bookmark for future reference, and have the education financial planning conversation today.
• Julie Merrill, CPA (YouTube), “3 Things about 529 plans that cost people money.” Editor’s Take: This 4-minute video by Julie Merrill, CPA, provides three tips and best practices when using 529s. Watch, learn and grow.
• BlackRock Advisor Center, “529s and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).” Editor’s Take: Thank you Mark DiSipio, CIMA, of BlackRock for creating and sharing this article here and for the 2-pager here on the recent legislative shifts to 529 Planning. Read, bookmark, and share.
• 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.

Now in its 16th year, this annual proprietary study by ISS Market Intelligence provides actionable guidance on how to increase the use of 529 plan products and education financial planning in the adviser-sold, employer-sold, and direct-sold channels. This report sheds light on education savings distribution by incorporating data from a new and deeper proprietary survey of financial advisers fielded in November 2025. The report also draws on insights from interviews with advisers, financial professionals, and broker-dealer home-office product executives who support and lead fleets of financial advisers.

Please contact Paul Curley or your ISS Market Intelligence key account contact for the report’s table of contents and to learn more about the report and/or how to subscribe to the report.

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.