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

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

Letter to the Editor: The Importance of Advisors, Early Financial Literacy & College Financial Planning

• How does Sheryl Garrett, CFP, the founder of Garrett Planning Network, help families in the college financial planning process?

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

• CNBC, “Fed minutes: All signs pointing to more rate hikes ahead.” Editor's Take: Rising interest rates increases the cost of student loans and therefore the value of saving and saving efficiently for higher education as a means to reduce or eliminate the principle balance of the student loans. Have the college financial planning conversation today.
• 68% of retirement plan advisers report that selling 529s helps them retain clients, and 42% that the plans help them attract clients. Editor's Take: College financial planning will help you to build your book of business.
• Student Aid Policy Analysis Papers, “Improvements in age-based asset allocation strategies for college savings and retirement plans.” Editor's Take: Thank you Mark Kantrowitz for publishing this white paper on investment strategies in college financial planning.
• Student Loan Hero, “Taking out a parent PLUS loan? Read these 6 pros and cons first.” Editor's Take: Timely refresher on PLUS loans. Read for an update, or reminder.
• Robert W. Baird, “Smart ways to manage debt and get ahead.” Editor's Take: While the story relates to financial planning in general, the growth of student loan debt has expanded the commonly understood definition of college financial planning to include the full circle of saving, paying and repaying the cost of education. As such, the article provides a good outline to help your client in the college financial planning process.
• 25.8% of Americans responded that they will use their increased take home pay due to tax reform to pay down student loan debt, while 6.5% answered that they will use the money to save for their children's education.” Editor's Take: Planadvisers should help plansponsors to design and implement college financial planning employee benefits to align with demand of employees.
• The Economist, “Going to university is more important than ever for young people.” Editor's Take: Timely global perspective from a leading publication.
• Financial Advisor Magazine, “Former Wharton grads pilot student loan plan at alma mater.” Editor's Take: Discussion on income base repayment programs is on the rise.
• FPA Practice Management Blog, “Leveraging divorce to maximize college financial aid.” Editor's Take: Reminder on how parental assets and income impact financial aid. For an overview of financial aid fundamentals, read the 529 Insiders article here.

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:
– National Wheelchair Basketball Association, “Partnership between ABLEnow and NWBA announced.” Editor's Take: Thank you ABLEnow for becoming the official ABLE program of the NWBA, and for helping to broaden the awareness of ABLE programs.
– ThinkAdvisor, “ABLE accounts get boost under new tax law.” Editors' Take: Thank you Melanie Waddell for broadening the awareness and understanding of ABLE accounts.
– Disability Scoop, “Few parents plan for future of children with disabilities, study finds.” Editor's Take: The article includes a number of stories and data points on the importance of ABLE accounts, financial planning and where advisors can add value in financial planning.
– News & Observer, “For people with disabilities, there’s such a thing as too much savings. Here’s a way around that.” Editor's Take: The article provides a written and video update on the importance of ABLE accounts.
– 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.

“Therefore, helping my clients ask the right questions at the right time helps to prevent even more difficult decisions down the road.”
– Steve Stanganelli, CFP, CRPC, AEP, Founder of Clear View Wealth Advisors

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