– News
– Research
– Data
– Perspectives
– Events
– ABLE Act Column

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. Building upon the product training and trends will be our editorial insight, market data and research. Also, the 529 Dash will provide opportunities for you to learn from and network with your peers based on real life case studies and forums such as the Strategic Insight 529 Dash LinkedIn Group. By reviewing these success stories on college financial planning from your peers of advisers, accountants and estate planners, the barriers to supporting your clients and building your book of business will be reduced.

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
LinkedIn: Strategic Insight 529 Dash LinkedIn Group

Here is what you need to know from stories released this week.

– PRWeb by College Savings Foundation, “529 college savings plans pave promising future for American families across incomes.” Editor’s Take: Families of all income levels can successfully set and achieve their college financial planning goals, and thank you College Savings Foundation for quoting Strategic Insight’s 529 data and research.
– LinkedIn by John Hupalo, “Great college savings tips from 529 plan founder Dr. Peter Mazareas.” Editor’s Take: Thank you John and Peter for quoting Strategic Insight’s 529 data and research in the story and in your book, and much appreciated.
– Financial Advisor Magazine, “New legislation could boost effectiveness, popularity of 529 plans.” Editor’s Take: 529s continue to improve over time in terms of legislation, tax, financial aid and estate planning.
– Center for Social Development, “Brief: Parents’ assets do not harm aid for most low-income students.” Editor’s Take: 529s are efficient from a financial aid perspective in comparison to other investment vehicles, and read our 529 Insiders article on “529 Essentials: Financial Aid Fundamentals” here.
– Kiplinger by Brad Rosley, CFP, “529 college savings plans for the unborn.” Editor’s Take: Story successfully highlights that a 529 plan can be set up with the parent as the beneficiary, and changed to a child once born.
– PLANADVISER, “Saving for College and Healthcare: New Markets, New Opportunity.” Editor’s Take: Ascensus CEO Bob Guillocheau highlights data suggesting more Americans are leveraging 529s to help cover tuition inflation and the benefits of doing so.

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

– 90% of younger employees would commit to an employer for five years in exchange for real help in paying down student loan debt. Editor’s Take: Plan advisers should help employers to set up college financial planning employee benefits to align with current and potential employee needs and demands.
– 75% of 529 College Savings Plan Owners are in Middle-Class Families. Editor’s Take: Families of all income levels can successfully set and achieve their college financial planning goals, and thank you College Savings Foundation for quoting Strategic Insight’s 529 data and research.
– 56% of workers report that they are saving for their children’s college education in 2016, compared to 78% in 2014. Editor’s Take: Advisors, accountants and estate planners have an opportunity to help current and target clients with college financial planning.
– 22% of employees report that they have access to college savings or tuition reimbursement benefits through their employer. Editor’s Take: Plan advisers can differentiate their practice by helping employers to set up college financial planning employee benefits to attract and retain top employee talent.

Here is the latest market data by Strategic Insight that can be used by the media and other organizations, and contact Strategic Insight for more information and commentary on its proprietary data, research, events and digital publications.

December 2016 Quarterly 529 Market Sizing Data
– 13.1 million accounts invested $275 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans
– 12.0 million accounts invested $252 billion in assets in 529 savings plans
– 1.1 million accounts invested $23 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 4,064 accounts invested $14 million in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts

September 2016 Quarterly 529 Market Sizing Data
– 13.0 million accounts invested $272 billion in assets in 529 savings and prepaid plans
– 11.9 million accounts invested $248 billion in assets in 529 savings plans
– 1.1 million accounts invested $24 billion in assets in 529 prepaid plans
– 1,934 accounts invested $4 million in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts

What is Chris Stack’s perspective on 529 sales with advisers?

This article features a transcript of a video interview with Chris Stack Esq., Managing Consultant with SavingforCollege.com, from Day 1 of the 529 Conference 2016. At the event, Chris taught “The 529 Landscape” and “Comparing College Savings Vehicles: How do 529s Stack Up?” sessions at the ‘529 Essentials’ pre-conference seminar, and moderated the “Distribution Strategies – View from the Independent RIA Channel” session at the 529 Conference 2016. Since 2001, Chris has led the Savingforcollege.com consulting and educational services. Currently, Chris advises and consults with several major investment companies and presents nationally to financial advisors, as well as accountants, attorneys, employers and actual investors on 529 plans. For over 25 years, he has been a practicing attorney and was previously a partner at a major New York law firm. Prior to SavingforCollege.com and the law firm, Chris graduated from Fordham College and Fordham University School of Law located in New York City. You can watch the video on YouTube at https://youtu.be/ZtumXVTLy18, and learn more about Chris Stack and his firm at SavingforCollege.com. Last but not least, thank you Chris for your time, insight and support for working with me on the interview, and we look forward to your presentations at the 529 Conference 2017 as well. Please read the question and answer to learn about his perspective on advisor-sold 529 distribution, and hope that the article provides you with an opportunity to learn more from your peers.

When: September 11-13, 2017
Where: JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes
Overview: The 529 Conference is a highly interactive and educational industry gathering where you’ll meet and network with the entire 529 ecosystem. Using a 360-degree perspective, the conference drills down into the most significant trends and challenges facing the industry today and includes critical conversation and debate surrounding the latest legislative developments, product innovations, investment options, distribution strategies, marketing initiatives, consumer trends, regulatory announcements and much more.

Optional sessions are available in conjunction with the 529 Conference to offer attendees additional education and training. The pre-conference ‘Essentials Seminar’ provides an understanding of the granular details of 529 plans in a constantly evolving market, and the post-conference ‘ABLE Session’ provides insight and networking into successfully implementing ABLE accounts.

– Video: This video features an interview by Paul Curley, Director of College Savings Research with Strategic Insight, with Wayne Weber, CEO of GiftofCollege.com, at the 529 Conference 2016 on the importance of 529s and trend of 529 gift cards helping to make college financial planning a goal for the entire family, social network and community.
– 529 Insiders, “529 Conference 2016: Interview with Chris Stack Esq., Managing Consultant with SavingforCollege.com.” Editor’s Take: Read the article to learn about his perspective on advisor-sold 529 distribution trends. Also, thank you Chris for your interview at 529 Conference 2016, and we look forward to your presentations at 529 Conference 2017.
– Registration for the event is now open.

This section will cover this week’s top legislative updates, product developments, news and resources relating to ABLE accounts, which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for certain individuals with disabilities and their families. After-tax contributions grow tax deferred, and distributions from the accounts are tax exempt when used for qualified expenses.

Article Round-Up, News and Resources:
– BBC, “The ex-trader turning disabilities into profits.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Rich Donovan for championing this perspective, and for presenting at Strategic Insight’s ABLE Afternoon Summit 2016.
– Data: 4,064 accounts invested $14 million in assets in ABLE accounts as December 2016, according to Strategic Insight.
– Events: ABLE Summit 2017 on September 13, 2017 at the JW Marriott, Orlando Grande Lakes

List of Open ABLE Programs:
– Alaska: Alaska ABLE Plan
– Florida: Florida ABLE United Program
– Illinois: Illinois ABLE
– Iowa: IAble
– Kansas: Kansas ABLE
– Kentucky: STABLE Kentucky
– Michigan: MiABLE
– Minnesota: Minnesota ABLE plan
– Nebraska: Enable Savings Program 
– Nevada: ABLE Nevada
– North Carolina: NC ABLE
– Ohio: Ohio STABLE Program
– Oregon: ABLE for All Savings Program
– Oregon: Oregon ABLE Savings Plan
– Rhode Island: RI’s ABLE
– Tennessee: ABLE TN
– Vermont: Vermont ABLE
– Virginia: ABLEnow

Please be aware, we are transitioning the 529 Dash newsletter to a new service provider. The new domain will appear as 529conference.strategic-i.com, so please make any necessary adjustments to spam filters, preferred sender lists, etc. Thank you!

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