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

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

Reader’s Perspective: Question and Answer with Vince Sullivan, Founder of 529NOW

• What 529 marketing, outreach and distribution trends does this industry consultant see taking place firsthand in 2018?

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

• 19% of U.S. employees are not saving at all. Editor's Take: Helping your clients to save overall will also help them to save for education. Have the college financial planning discussion with your clients today.
• Nerd's Eye View at Kitces.com, “Why the best ROI on college may be for those who would have been successful anyway.” Editor's Take: thank you Michael Kitces for discussing college financial planning.
• OppenheimerFunds, “The ABCs of education savings.” Editor's Take: Educational chart book on 529s, college financial planning and college affordability. Read, enjoy the charts and share.
• Forbes, “Four tax advantages to consider while paying for college.” Editor's Take: Judith Ward, CFP provides an overview of college financial planning from the perspective of 529s, grants, scholarships, tax credits and student loans.
• Kiplinger, “36 best college values competing in 2018's March Madness.” Editor's Take: Remind your clients to align college affordability with demand, and that the demand should be based on rational information and data beyond whether the school is in the media such as the NCAA basketball tournament. Failure to select the right school can create financial and career issues down the road. Also, thank you Brenda of Spectra Professional Services for sharing this article with me, and much appreciated.
• Last Week's Most Read Article: ” Financial Advisor Magazine, “The latest college scene.” Editor's Take: Article provides discussion on the new K-12 provision for 529 plans.”

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:
– Journal of Business, “Financial planning for caregivers.” Editor's Take: Mary McDirmid, financial adviser with MassMutual Northwest, provides insight into how she helps her clients and how you can help families too with ABLE accounts and special care planning.
– Quad Cities, “New program helps hundreds with disabilities.” Editor's Take: Time article and video that provides insight into the accountowner's perspectives.
– 529 Insiders, “529 & ABLE 4Q 2017 529 Data Highlights”

Events: Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2018 will be held on September 26, 2018, at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes.

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.

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