Issue 252:
– 529 News & Research
– ABLE Act Column
– 529 Conference 2021

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 college 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 529 plans and ABLE accounts.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

Paul Curley, CFA
Director of 529 & ABLE Research
ISS Market Intelligence
paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

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

• ISS Insights, “ISS Market Intelligence Releases Annual 529 Industry Analysis Report.” Editor’s Take: The 94-page report is undergirded by a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. households with children under the age of 18 to help identify the decision-making and product-selection processes of individuals who were at the time of the survey either 529 users, non-529 college savers or non-college savers. Read the press release to learn more.
• YouTube by Nasdaq Trade Talks, “How can 529 plans help families reach their college savings goals?” Editor’s Take: Nasdaq’s Jill Malandrino interviews Fidelity’s Ron Hazel in a 4-minute video on how 529 plans can help families and their advisers to create and execute a financial plan for college.
• Raymond James, “Which education expenses are considered qualified?” Editor’s Take: Thank you Raymond James for providing a review and response to this common question, and read the article to learn more.

ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged investment vehicles for certain individuals with disabilities and their families. 
News, Research, Data & Resources:

• The Penny Hoarder, “Maybe college, maybe not: ABLE accounts allow flexibility for disabled Americans.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Brynne Conroy of Femme Frugality for raising awareness and understanding of ABLE accounts, and for quoting me in the article on tax parity and ABLE to Work. Read The Penny Hoarder article here, and read a past interview between Paul Curley and Brynne on her book titled, “The Feminist Financial Handbook” in the 529 Insiders here. In the meantime, thank you Brynne for all that you do, and please keep up the great work.
• ABLE Age Adjustment Act Status Board: The bill would increase the age of onset for eligibility to open an ABLE account from 26 years old to 46 years old. As of June 23, 2021, the bill sponsorship was as follows:
  • Senate (S331): 1 sponsor and 12 cosponsors
  • Congress Sponsorship (HR1219): 1 sponsor and 60 cosponsors
• Shields Law Firm, “Texas ABLE Accounts.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Counsel for Special Needs for sharing this article on Twitter by Shields Law Firm on the eight most common questions on ABLE accounts and Texas ABLE, and read the article to learn more.

Why & What: The 529 Conference is a highly interactive and educational industry gathering where you’ll learn from and network with the entire 529 and ABLE ecosystem to ensure product training, insight and networking across the 529 and ABLE community.

When: November 2-4, 2021

• 529 Essentials: November 2
• 529 Conference: November 3 and 4
• ABLE Summit: November 4

Where: Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, Florida

Updates: Registration opening soon. In the interim, please save the date.

702 King Farm Boulevard, Suite 400, Rockville, MD 20850  |  +1 212-217-6884  |  issgovernance.com