– News & Research
– ABLE Act Column
– Events

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 college financial planning.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

Paul Curley, CFA
Director of College Savings Research
paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

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

• 529 Insiders, “Status Board: SECURE Act 529 State Updates.” Editor's Take: On January 21, 2020, the status board was updated to reflect the change in categorization for Idaho from “Decision Pending” to “Allow Student Loans & Apprenticeship Withdrawals State Tax Free.”
• Inside Higher Education, “4 worries about higher education in the 2020s.” Editor's Take: Nice landscape overview on trends in higher education. Also, the article provides a reminder of the growing number of graduate students, and the increasing demand for 529s for mid-career accelerators and career changers. 529s can help these lifelong learners, and therefore a reminder that 529s can be used not only for children, but adults as well.
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS), “Publication 970.” Editor's Take: On January 17, 2020, the IRS released its latest edition of the Publication 970 which can be used in preparing 2019 tax returns. The “What's New” section on page 4 includes several 529 and college financial planning related announcements in response to the SECURE Act's two 529 provisions. Click the link to learn more.
• Office of the Illinois State Treasurer, “Job opportunity announcement – Manager of children's savings initiatives.” Editor's Take: The state is seeking to hire a manager of child savings accounts within the state's 529 team in Chicago, Illinois. Click the link to learn more.
• 529 Insiders, “3Q 2019 529 and ABLE Market Sizing Highlights.” Editor's Take: Here is the latest 529 and ABLE market data 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:

• Kewaunee County Comet, “Bill would allow 'ABLE' savings accounts.” Editor's Take: The state of Wisconsin has introduced a bill that would allow the launch and implementation of an ABLE program offered by the state of Wisconsin. In the interim, a list of open ABLE programs and links to those programs can be found here.
• Disability Scoop, “American Girl introduces doll with disability.” Editor's Take: Important story line to discuss with children and families.
• ABLEnow Blog, “ABLEnow helps me help myself.” Editor's Take: The ambassador's story helps to better understand the end-user's perspective on ABLE accounts, and read the article to learn more.
• ABLE Maryland, “Information session.” Editor's Take: Thank you ABLE Maryland for raising awareness and utilization of ABLE accounts through public information sessions.

Save the Date: 529 Conference 2020 will be held from September 24-26, 2020, at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.

Updates:

• The 2020 event website has been launched here.
• The 2020 event tagline has been announced as, “Required market intelligence for 529 & ABLE.”

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