– 529 Insiders Article of the Week
– News
– Research
– Data
– Events
– ABLE Act Column
– Quote of the Week
– Question of the Week

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. Building upon the product training and trends will be our editorial insight, market data and research. Also, the 529 Dash will provide opportunities for you to learn from and network with your peers based on real life case studies and forums such as the Strategic Insight 529 Dash LinkedIn Group. By reviewing these success stories on college financial planning from your peers of advisers, accountants and estate planners, the barriers to supporting your clients and building your book of business will be reduced.

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
LinkedIn: Strategic Insight 529 Dash LinkedIn Group

529 Webcast Replay: Developing an Effective College Funding Strategy

Do your clients think using a 529 plan will hurt their chances of receiving financial aid? Get the facts.

Here is what you need to know from stories released this week.

– The Economist, “Lifelong learning is becoming an economic imperative.” Editor’s Take: Growth in mid-career retooling and career changes will increase demand for college financial planning. While college financial planning has historically focused on saving and paying for children, the focus will soon shift to include adults as well.
– Morgan Stanley, “It takes a village to raise a college student.” Editorials Take: The article partners well with another Morgan Stanley article titled “Give the gift of education with a 529 college savings plan” in that college financial planning is a family goal. Encourage your clients to request financial gifts such as 529s during holidays and birthdays to help ensure your clients reach their educational and legacy planning goals.
– Planadviser, “Education costs put the squeeze on retirement savings.” Editorials Take: Successful college financial planning will accelerate retirement readiness.
– InvestmentNews, “Prepare clients for the high costs of college.” Editorials Take: Tips on a successful college funding strategy.
– US News, “How to choose a 529 plan on your own.” Editor’s Take: Thank you for referencing Strategic Insight in the article.
– The College Investor, “Can you use a 529 to pay for college overseas?” Editorials Take: Read the 529 Insiders article here for the answer to the question.
– Motley Fool, “Should you use a 529 plan to save for college?” Editor’s Take: Read the 529 Insiders article here for the pros and cons.

Last Week’s Most Read Articles:
– 529 Insiders, “Target Market Analysis: Trend in Parents Saving and Using 529s”
– CNBC, “This student debt strategy can save you more than $18,600.” Editor’s Take: College financial planning has expanded from saving and paying for higher education to repaying as well. Advisors should consider expanding their skill set and offering menu to include student loan repayment planning as well.

Here is what you need to know from data and research released this week.

– 58% of parents are saving for higher education. Editor’s Take: Advisors have an opportunity to help non-savers to start saving, savers to start saving efficiently and efficient savers to become power savers.
– 26% of parents expect financial aid to cover the cost of college. Editor’s Take: Advisors have an opportunity to educate their clients on the realities of financial aid as less than 1% of college attendees receive a full scholarship.
– 25% of 529 account beneficiaries are younger than the age of 5 years old. Editor’s Take: Advisors have an opportunity to help early planners and late stage planners in college financial planning.

Here is the latest market data by Strategic Insight that can be used by the media and other organizations, and contact Strategic Insight for more information and commentary on its proprietary data, research, events and digital publications.

March 2017 Quarterly 529 Market Sizing Data
– 13.3 million accounts invested $289 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans 
– 12.2 million accounts invested $266 billion in assets in 529 savings plans 
– 1.1 million accounts invested $23 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 7,286 accounts invested $25.5 million in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts

When: September 11-13, 2017
Where: JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
Overview: The 529 Conference is a highly interactive and educational industry gathering where you’ll meet and network with the entire 529 ecosystem. Using a 360-degree perspective, the conference drills down into the most significant trends and challenges facing the industry today and includes critical conversation and debate surrounding the latest legislative developments, product innovations, investment options, distribution strategies, marketing initiatives, consumer trends, regulatory announcements and much more.

Optional sessions are available in conjunction with the 529 Conference to offer attendees additional education and training. The pre-conference ‘Essentials Seminar’ provides an understanding of the granular details of 529 plans in a constantly evolving market, and the post-conference ‘ABLE Session’ provides insight and networking into successfully implementing ABLE accounts.

– Marc Dextraze, Executive Director – Head of Mutual Fund & ETF Product Management, Morgan Stanley, has been confirmed as a panelist of the “The Future of Product Strategy” panel.
– Julio Martinez, Executive Director of ScholarShare Investment Board, has been confirmed as a moderator of the “Effective Direct Sold Marketing Strategies” panel.
– See the ABLE Summit 2017 agenda updates in the ABLE Act Column below.
– Registration for the event is now open.

This section will cover this week’s top legislative updates, product developments, news and resources relating to ABLE accounts, which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for certain individuals with disabilities and their families. After-tax contributions grow tax deferred, and distributions from the accounts are tax exempt when used for qualified expenses.

News, Research & Resources:
– On June 14, 2017, Georgia STABLE program launched and the list of open programs has been updated here.
– ABLEnow is honored to sponsor and help at a local Special Olympics event. Learn more how you can help your local event here.

Industry Events: Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2017 on September 13, 2017 at the JW Marriott, Orlando Grande Lakes
– Agenda Updates:
– Rob Percival, Sr. Vice President | Strategic Products, Ascensus College Savings, has been confirmed as a panelist of ABLE Afternoon’s “Landscape Update from a State, Product Provider and Recordkeeper Perspective” session.
– David Bell, Managing Director of Oregon 529 Savings Network, has been confirmed as a panelist of ABLE Afternoon Summit’s “ABLE Implementation: Consumer, Product, Marketing & Distribution Perspective” session.
– Doug Jackson, Deputy Director of STABLE Account, Ohio State Treasurer,  has been confirmed as a panelist of ABLE Afternoon Summit’s “Landscape Update from a State, Product Provider and Recordkeeper Perspective” session.
– Christina Elliott, MPA, Executive Director of CalABLE Board, has been confirmed as a panelist of ABLE Afternoon Summit’s “ABLE Outlook: Challenges & Opportunities” session.

List of Open Programs: 529 Insiders
Legislative Update: 529 Insiders on “ABLE 2.0″ 
Product Training Primer: 529 Insiders
Market Data: Strategic Insight – 7,286 accounts invested $25.5 million in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts as of March 31, 2017

Please contact Paul Curley at paul.curley@strategic-i.com if you are seeking a speaker for an upcoming event.

Upcoming:
– Dimensional Fund Advisors Annual Defined Contribution Conference, “Comprehensive Financial Wellness Panel” with Paul Curley, CFA, at the The University of Chicago Booth School of Business Gleacher Center in Chicago, Illinois on July 13th from 2pm to 3:15pm.
– Wirehouse branch-wide continuing education presentation, “The Best of 529 Essentials Seminar” with Paul Curley, CFA, in Manchester, New Hampshire, on July 18th at 2pm

“One trend that we are hoping to see expanded is employers offering a 529 plan option plan as a benefit to their employees.”

– Jeffrey S. Cohen, CIMA, AIF, Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors

Click “Read more” to take this week’s 529 Dash e-newsletter Question of the Week. Results will be reported in next week’s 529 Dash e-newsletter.

Thank you Paul Jermain for suggesting that we launch this section of the 529 Dash e-newsletter as a means to make the publication more interactive, and much appreciated.

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