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 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:

• MEFA Podcast, “Saving for College with U.Fund.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Jonathan Hughes and Julies Shields-Rutyna for creating this episode which features an interview with a 529 user, tips and a mailbag section on submitted questions. Watch, learn and grow.
• My College Corner, “What’s the fuss about 529s?” Editor’s Take: Thank you John Hupalo for providing your candid and insightful response to headlines about the diminishing value of education and other common false statements, and how families should specifically and proactively take steps to achieve their educational financial freedom. Read, learn, and grow, and thank you Invite Education.
• Ascensus, “The proposed “one, big, beautiful bill” act: Expanded 529 plans and extended ABLE accounts.” Editor’s Take: The article provides a legislative update on 529s and ABLE accounts, with potential pathways going forward. Broadly, these bills seek to expand the functionality and product performance of 529s and ABLE to enhance usability of those products, and therefore broadly a net benefit for families, advisors and product providers alike. Read the article to learn more.
• ISS Market Intelligence, “529 Day 2025: Top Trends in 529 Plans in 2025.” Editor’s Take: ISS Market Intelligence and Ohio’s 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage, teamed up to create this on-demand webinar with 529 reminders, trends, and best practices. Click the link above for on-demand access to the webinar.
• 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.

• Dates: September 29 – October 1, 2025
• Location: Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida, USA
• Registration: Register here; Early Bird rate available through June 27, 2025
• 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:
  • Abha Mohla, Director, Market Regulation, Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, has been confirmed as a co-presenter of the “Municipal Rulemaking & Advertising Regulation Overview” 529 Essentials Seminar session.
  • Lael Oldmixon, M.Ed, Executive Director, Education Trust of Alaska, has been confirmed as a presenter on the “Investment Line-Up Trends and Outlook” 529 Conference panel.
  • Travis Brickfield, Director, Product Specialists – Mutual Funds, ETFs, and 529 Plans, Raymond James, has been confirmed as a presenter on the “Top-5 Education Financial Planning Strategies” 529 Conference panel.
  • William Thompson, Deputy Executive Director, Florida Prepaid College Board, has been confirmed as moderator of the “Platforms, Fintech and Emerging Trends” 529 Conference panel.
  • LaKesha Page, Director of College Savings and ABLE TN, Tennessee Department of Treasury, has been confirmed as a presenter on the “Outlook for 529s in 2026 & Beyond” 529 Conference panel.

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