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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, accountants and estate planners who sell and service families and institutions in the college financial planning process by providing industry relevant news, product training and best practices.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

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

Editor’s Perspective on ABLE Accounts: “The Morning Pulse” Podcast with Jeffrey Snyder and George Grombacher

• What are the top trends and topics in the ABLE account industry?

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

• House Ways and Means Committee, “House GOP Listening Session Framework, Tax Reform 2.0.” Editor's Take: 529 college savings plans may benefit from three new capabilities that would expand their functionality and utility for families and advisors, and were referenced in the document as, “Expanded 529 Education accounts. Building upon the improvements in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act so families can also use their education savings to pay for apprenticeship fees to learn a trade, cover the cost of home schooling, and help pay off student debt.” While there is a long road between the framework and passage of a bill that would implement these three proposals, this information helps to narrow the focus on where potential enhancements to 529 savings plans may occur. Given that the focus is on strengthening and expanding 529s, investors and your clients should be reassured that 529s will not be negatively impacted.
• Forbes, “Price Of College Increasing Almost 8 Times Faster Than Wages.” Editor's Take: The college affordability gap continues to widen, which increases the demand for college financial planning. Have the discussion with your clients today.
• Bright Horizons, “Employee quit rate is up: What to do about it.” Editor's Take: As an advisor, you have an ability to highlight the need to attract and retain employees for your plansponsor clients. One benefit that can help to solve this issues is to provide college financial planning employer benefits, as highlighted in an article released this week in US News & World Report titled, “What to know about employers that pay student loans.” Therefore, I suggest that you read them as point and counterpoint articles. Together, have the college financial planning conversation with your corporate clients today to help them to attract and retain employees.

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:

• 529 Insiders, “Editor’s Perspective on ABLE Accounts: “The Morning Pulse” Podcast with Jeffrey Snyder and George Grombacher”
• Plansponsor, “The Importance of Helping Caregivers.” (This feature article is part of their exclusive content and requires a free registration to read.) Editor's Take: Timely article, and thank you for expanding awareness and understanding of ABLE accounts.
• Charleston Gazette-Mail, “Sara Weir, John Perdue: WVABLE – People with disabilities are no longer financially limited.” Editor's Take: Thank you Sara Weir and John Perdue for helping to build awareness and understanding of ABLE accounts. Also, thank you Sara for presenting at the upcoming Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2018 on September 26th.
• CNBC, “How to save for your child who may need life-long care.” Editor's Take: Timely overview of ABLE that provides insight into the financial advisor's perspective on ABLE.
• Jillian Benfield, “Plan for your child’s future with ABLEnow.” Editor's Take: The parent of a son with down syndrome provides her perspective on how ABLE has helped her and her family.
• 529 Insiders, “529 & ABLE 1Q 2018 529 Data Highlights”

Events: Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2018 will be held on September 26, 2018, at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Registration is now open, and early bird registration rates is available through August 17th.

Agenda Update:

• Mark Chapleau, Esq., Member, Weston Patrick, PA, has been confirmed as a speaker on the “ABLE Primer” panel.
• Sara Weir, President & C.E.O., National Down Syndrome Society, has been confirmed as a speaker on the “ABLE Outlook: Challenges & Opportunities” panel.
• Andrea Feirstein, Managing Director, AKF Consulting Group, has been confirmed as moderator of the “ABLE Landscape from the Product Providers Perspective” panel.
• Chris McGee, General Counsel, Virginia529 & ABLEnow, has been confirmed as a speaker on the “ABLE Primer” panel.

When: September 24-26, 2018
Where: JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
What: A highly interactive and educational industry gathering with the entire college financial planning ecosystem.
How: Registration now open, and early bird registration rates now available through August 17th

Agenda Updates:

• Rosemary Becchi, Strategic Advisor and Counsel, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, has been confirmed as a moderator of the “Tax Policy: Legislative & Regulatory Developments” panel.
• Tiffany Spudich, Chief Client Officer, Capital Cities, L.L.C., has been confirmed as a moderator of the “Investment Line-Up Trends and Outlook” panel.
• Jim DiUlio, Director, Wisconsin 529 College Savings Program, and Chair of College Savings Plans Network (CSPN), has been confirmed as a speaker on the “Outlook for 529s in 2018 and Beyond” panel.
• Eva Giles, College Savings Program Manager, NextGen 529, has been confirmed as a speaker on the “Direct-Sold Marketing Strategies” panel.

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