529 Dash, Required Reading for Your 529 Education: 
The 529 Dash e‑newsletter helps institutions, financial professionals, employers, and families navigate education financial planning by sharing timely industry news, product insights, market data, and best practices while promoting awareness of 529 plans and ABLE accounts.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

Paul Curley, CFA
Executive Director
ISS Market Intelligence
paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com

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

• Harvard Business School, “Want workers to reskill? Show them who they can become.” Editor’s Take: The expansion of 529 qualified expenses to credentials provides an opportunity for product providers, distributors, and employers to support employees to reskill and upskill in today’s environment by investing with 529s. Similarly from a messaging perspective, parents who see education and career training as a pathway to a better life for their children are more likely to use a 529. Click the link to learn, share and grow.
• AKF Consulting, “ABLE 2026: Expanding the reach.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Andrea Feirstein and AKF Consulting for creating and sharing this market report on ABLE accounts and the importance of financial planners to driven usage. Read, learn and share.
• ISS Market Intelligence, 529 Day 2026 Webinar Replay on “529 in Focus: 3 Key Trends Shaping the Future of Education Savings in 2026.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Trisha Good and Ohio 529 CollegeAdvantage for the opportunity to collaborate on the 529 Day 2026 webinar. Click the link to watch the full webinar replay, read the summary and learn more.
• 529 Insiders and planadviser, “1Q 2026 529 & ABLE market sizing highlights.” Editor’s Take: Click the link to learn more about 529 and ABLE market sizing as of March 31, 2026
• ISS Market Intelligence, “529 Industry Analysis 2026.” Editor’s Take: The “529 Industry Analysis 2026” is ISS Market Intelligence’s 34^th study on education financial planning and based on a new proprietary survey fielded in April 2026 and released in June 2026. Please contact ISS Market Intelligence to learn more about the report, receive a complementary table of content, and learn how to subscribe to gain full access to the report.

• Dates: September 23–25, 2026
• Location: JW Marriott Nashville
• Register: Here
• Hotel Room Block: Book Here
• Event Website: Link
• Agenda: Link
• Event Updates: 
  • David H. Lillard Jr., Treasurer, Tennessee Department of Treasury, has been confirmed as a panelist on the “State’s Perspective on Industry Trends and Building Momentum” 529 Conference session.
  • Katie Turner, Senior Relationship Manager, my529, has been confirmed as a panelist on the “Marketing: Engaging New Audiences” 529 Conference session.
  • Nick Savoulides, PhD, CFA, Head of Portfolio Engineering & Analytics, Invesco, has been confirmed as a panelist on the “Investment Line-Up Creation, Evaluation and Oversight” 529 Conference session.
  • Jordan Lee, CEO, Backer and Saving for College, has been confirmed as a panelist on the “Platforms, Fintech and Emerging Trends and Opportunities” 529 Conference session.
  • Cory Latham, 529 Managing Director, Fidelity Investments, has been confirmed as a panelist on the “Product Strategy Trends & Outlook” 529 Conference session.
  • Thomas Psaltis, Director, Head of Education Savings Programs, Investment Products & Personal Retirement, Bank of America Merrill, has been confirmed as a panelist on the “National Broker-Dealer’s View on Product, Marketing and Distribution Strategies” 529 Conference session.
  • Jeannette Haen, Vice President, Education Planning Consultant II, Wealth Solutions Group | Investment Solutions, Robert W. Baird & Co., has been confirmed as a panelist on the “Education Financial Planning Strategies in 2026” 529 Conference session.
  • Chris Krochalk, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, CAP®, Assistant Director – Investment Products & Services, Northwestern Mutual, has been confirmed as a panelist on the “Education Financial Planning Strategies in 2026” 529 Conference session.
  • Travis Brickfield, Director, Product Specialists – Mutual Funds, ETFs, and 529 Plans, Raymond James, has been confirmed as a panelist on the “Education Financial Planning Strategies in 2026” 529 Conference session.
  • Douglas Polak, CFA, CAIA, Investment Specialist, Multi-Asset Solutions, J.P.Morgan Asset Management, has been confirmed as a panelist on the “Investments: Differentiating Asset Classes” 529 Conference session.
  • Thank you Backer and Saving for College for your support of the event as a Presenting Sponsorship

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