529 Dash, Required Reading for Your 529 Education: 
The goal of the 529 Dash is to help institutions and financial professionals who help families and employers 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
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

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

• Ascensus, “Washington Pulse – 2025 tax bill provides key changes for savers.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Ascensus for creating and sharing this round-up of provisions included in the recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Stay up to date on the last legislative and product trends by reading the article.
• Higher Ed Dive, “3 charts that tell the story of spring 2025 enrollment.” Editor’s Take: 529 product providers and distributors should note that there was a 3.2% increase in the college student population this last year, with a 4.1% increase amongst those 30 years old or older in the spring 2025 semester. Therefore, demand for 529s will continue to rise, and amongst mid-career accelerators and career pivoters. Therefore, 529s have an opportunity to grow to a broader population to align with shifing demographic trends.
• Rich Habits, “Invest in forever assets. Forever assets pay dividends for the rest of your life.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Tom Corley of Rich Habits for highlighting that a college degree, graduate degree, post-graduate degree and continuous education are forever assets. The value and importance of education and training continues to increase, and so does the importance of education financial planning with 529s. Have the conversation today.
• 529 Insiders, “1Q 2025 529 & ABLE market sizing highlights.” Editor’s Take: Click the link to learn more about 529 and ABLE market sizing as of March 31, 2025.
• ISS Status Boards: K-12, Student Loans & Apprenticeships, and 529 to Roth Transfers; Montana was updated on the 529 to Roth IRA status board to report the transfer as included as a qualified expenses from a state income tax perspective per the plan disclosure source here.

• Dates: September 29 – October 1, 2025
• Location: Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida, USA
• Registration: Register here
• Hotel Room: Book in event room block here
• Agenda: Current version here
  • Sunday, September 28: Welcome Reception
  • Monday, September 29: Day 1 – 529 Essentials Seminar
  • Tuesday, September 30: Day 2 – 529 Conference Panels, Presentations & Roundtables
  • Wednesday, October 1: Day 3 – 529 Conference Final Half Day of Panels, Presentations & Roundtables
• Event Updates:
  • Treasurer Kimberly Yee, Treasurer, State of Arizona, has been confirmed as a presenter on the “Engaging New Audiences by Consumer Behavior, Demographics and Channels” 529 Conference panel.
  • Jeffrey Bennett, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, Invesco, has been confirmed as a presenter on the “Investment Line-Up Adjustments for Market Volatility in 2025” 529 Conference panel.
  • Eitan Gazit, FSA, CFA, Vice President, Retirement Strategies, Prudential, has been confirmed as a presenter on the “Investment Line-Up Trends and Outlook” 529 Conference panel.
  • Jordan Lee, CEO, Backer and Saving For College, has been confirmed as a presenter on the “Platforms, Fintech and Emerging Trends and Opportunities” 529 Conference panel.
  • Ben Mahnkey, Senior Benefits Manager, Amazon, has been confirmed as a presenter on the “Product Strategy Trends and Outlook” 529 Conference panel.
  • Thank you Backer and Saving For College for the Presenting Sponsorship

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