– 529 Insiders
– 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
LinkedIn: /PaulCurleyCFA

Increasing Momentum in 529 Plans

• 529 savings plans have continued to reach year-over-year highs, improving across a wide array of metrics. The market totaled $321 billion in assets as of March 2018. Read our latest 529 Insiders article to learn more.

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

• Planadviser, “Americans unfamiliar with 529 plans.” Editor's Take: The annual survey by Edward Jones highlights the lack of awareness and understanding of 529s and college financial planning, which provides you with an opportunity to educate, plan and implement college financial planning strategies.
• Forbes, “How the new child tax credit might help you pay for college.” Editor's Take: Megan Gorman, founder of Chequers Financial Management, provides one college financial planning idea to present to your clients.
• Morningstar, “How a scholarship affects your 529.” Editor's take: An important publication provides a refresher on one of the most common questions on 529 plans.
• Financial Advisor Magazine, “Students not prepared to pay for college, study says.” Editor's Take: Timely article during college savings month that clearly explains how advisors add value in the preparation process. Have the college financial planning conversation today.

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:

• Companions on Your Journey, “Finally, ABLE to save.” Editor's Take: Alexandra Baig, CFP, providers her perspective on how she helps families with ABLE accounts. Read the article to hear more.
• Engadget, “Lyft lets people with disabilities pay with special ABLE accounts.” Editor's Take: Corporate partnerships and media coverage will drive awareness and therefore usage of ABLE accounts.
• Twitter, “Tweets. Media.” Editor's Take: This section provides links to live photos taken and posted over the past week by ABLE program managers, and this week includes posts by MO ABLE and Illinois ABLE. Thank you for building awareness through outreach which will continue to help more families to successfully use ABLE accounts.
• 529 Insiders, “529 & ABLE 1Q 2018 529 Data Highlights”

Events: Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2018 will be held on September 26, 2018, at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Registration is now open, and early bird registration rates now available through June 22nd.

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.
How: Registration now open, and early bird registration rates now available through June 22nd

Agenda Updates:

• John Hesse, Executive Director, Business Development and Execution, Morgan Stanley, has been confirmed as a speaker on the “National Broker-Dealer’s View on Marketing and Distribution Strategies” panel.
• Susie Bauer, 529/UIT Manager, Senior Vice President, Robert W. Baird & Co., and Chair of SIFMA 529 Working Group, has been confirmed as moderator of the “Future of Product Strategy” panel.
• Patrick R. Noonan CFP , Advanced Planning, Commonwealth Financial Network , has been confirmed as a speaker on the “Independent and Regional Channel’s View on Marketing and Distribution Strategies” panel.
• Graham Rigby, CFP , Product Specialist, 529 Plans, Raymond James, has been confirmed as a panelist on the “Independent and Regional Channel’s View on Marketing and Distribution Strategies” panel.

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