– News & Research
– 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 and institutions who sell and service families and employers in the education 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 529s, ABLE accounts and education financial planning.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

Paul Curley, CFA
Director of Savings Research
paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

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

• Advisor Perspectives, “A guide to helping clients with education savings.” Editor's Take: Thank you Vivian Tsai for creating and sharing this article, and thank you Robert Huebscher for your continued support of college financial planning by providing coverage of the planning goal in your channel. Read to learn more.
• Planadviser, “Voya announces availability of student loan debt benefits.” Editor's Take: College financial planning employer benefits are on the rise, and are expected to continue to become more pervasive and deeper over time. Read the article to learn more.
• 529 Insiders, “Special Section: Round-Up on Market Volatility & Coronavirus.” Editor's Take: This article was initially published on March 12th and was updated to include a new blog released by Ohio Tuition Trust Authority (OTTA) and an update by NEST 529 College Savings Plan. On March 13th, the status board was updated with an announcement by TIAA. This 529 Insiders article will be updated as additional messages are published by 529 providers and distributors, and included here in the 529 Dash e-newsletter going forward. Read the article to learn more.
• 529 Insiders, “Status Board: SECURE Act 529 State Updates.” Editor's Take: On March 18, the status board was updated to reflect an additional source for Nebraska's categorization. Also since last week's 529 Dash, West Virginia was updated to the category of “Allow Student Loans & Currently Not Allow Apprenticeship Withdrawal.” Lastly on March 19th, California was updated to a new category. Click the link to review the updated status board.
• 529 Insiders, “4Q 2019 529 and ABLE Market Sizing Highlights.” Editor's Take: Here is the latest 529 and ABLE market data 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:

• Social Security Administration, “Program Operations Manual System (POMS).” Editor's Take: on March 13, 2020, POMS was updated to clarify that food is a qualified expense for ABLE accounts with the line of “However, for ABLE purposes, food is considered a qualified disability expense (basic living expense).” Click the link to learn more.
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH).” Editor's Take: Timely data and research with fast facts for presentations. Read, bookmark and source.
• Youtube Playlist, “ABLE Accounts.” Editor's Take: I have launched a YouTube playlist titled “ABLE Accounts” with the goal of building awareness and understanding of ABLE accounts. This educational playlist shares product training videos, news and updates on ABLE accounts primarily created by ABLE providers, distributors, stakeholders and regulatory agencies. Please email me if you have a video to share, and click the link to learn more.

Save the Date: 529 Conference 2020 will be held from September 24-26, 2020, at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes.

Updates:

• 529 Essentials Agenda Update: Time slots for the two “Networking Refreshment Breaks” have been increased from 15 minutes to 25 minutes so as to allow for more networking opportunities for the attendees and sponsors.

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