529 Dash, Required Reading for Your 529 Education: 
The goal of the 529 Dash 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
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

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

• The College Investor, “529 plans now cover more K-12 education costs.” Editor’s Take: 529s continue their track record of legislative strengthening which broadens usage to new target markets which creates economies of scale for implementation of ease-of-use enhancements. Thank you Robert Farrington for broadening awareness and deepening understanding of 529s and for presenting at 529 Conference 2019 (panel photo here), and read the article to learn more.
• YouTube by Teaching Tax Flow, “Double the benefit: How OB3 revolutionizes 529 plans.” Editor’s Take: Chris Picciurro, CPA, provides a video overview of recent enhancements to 529s. Broadly speaking, the video shows how financial professionals can and do leverage the recent 529 legislation to grow their book of business. Have the education financial planning conversation today, and learn more by going to 529 plan websites including plan disclosures and supplements, MSRB including their 529 Investor Guide, IRS including their Publication 970, and reading the recently passed tax bill here.
• WA529, “Upcoming Webinars.” Editor’s Take: WA529 is hosting several upcoming 30-minute webinars on how 529s can help families save for college and training expenses. Also, their knowledge cafe provides educational content on 529s in multiple formats. Click the link to learn more.
• 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

• 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:
  • Anthony Durkan, Vice President, Head of 529 Relationship Management, Fidelity Investment, has been confirmed as a presenter on the “Engaging New Audiences by Consumer Behavior, Demographics and Channels” 529 Conference panel.
  • Matt Golden, Senior Vice President, Head of State Savings, Vestwell, has been confirmed as a presenter on the “Working Lunch: 529 Partnership Opportunities to Generate Long-Term Growth” 529 Conference panel.
  • Viraaj Kumar, Associate Director, Head of Retirement Product & Strategy, ISS Market Intelligence, has been confirmed as moderator of the “Working Lunch: 529 Partnership Opportunities to Generate Long-Term Growth” 529 Conference panel. This new panel has been added to the agenda on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 12:30pm-1:15pm with a current description of “This panel will focus on improving interconnectivity and interweaving storyboards between financial planning goals for families, investment vehicles and product providers from 529 to ABLE to state-facilitated retirement to employer channel retirement (401k) to IRAs to new areas of research. This “working lunch” session will provide attendees with an educational framework to bridge the gaps and network to create stronger futures for families and their stakeholders across financial planning goals. Bring your lunch, learn and grow.”

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