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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

Join Strategic Insight and Oppenheimer Funds on December 4, as we discuss strategies for creating customized education savings experiences that work for client’s specific situations. Click the link below to register today.

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

• PBS News Hour, “4 ways parents (and their students) can avoid the college debt trap.” Editor's Take: The importance and awareness of the need for education financial planning is on the rise. Have the discussion with your current and target clients today.
• 77.4% of parents of high school children are stressed about education financial planning. Editor's Take: Help solve the most pressing need for your clients by making education financial planning a part of your client's planning process.
• WBOY, “State Treasurer announces new gift cards for college savings.” Editor's Take: Instead of providing toy gifts for entertainment that last less than a season and clutter up the play room for much longer, help your clients to provide the gift of lifetime learning by making a contribution to a college fund such as a 529 college savings plan or 529 gift card such as GiftofCollege.com, or choose gifts that promote learning such as books or educational experiences. Not only will this help your family to spend less than you make, but it will help your family to save and save efficiently for life’s most important goal of education financial planning. Enjoy this holiday season, but also celebrate educational opportunities and create a legacy of educational and career successes.
• Last Week's Most Read Article: Ascensus, “Inside America's savings plans.” Editor's Take: Based on recordkeeping data by Ascensus, the 54 page report provides insight into how families save for retirement, education, health and ABLE accounts.

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:

• Webinar, “ABLE Program Spotlight Series Featuring the “ABLEnow” and “ABLEAmerica” Programs.” Editor's Take: Thank you ABLE National Resource Center, ABLEnow and ABLEAmerica for hosting the webinar, and for helping to build awareness of ABLE accounts. Register today to learn more.
• 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 ABLE TN. Thank you for building awareness through outreach which will continue to help more families to successfully use ABLE accounts.
• 529 Insiders, “3Q 2018 Strategic Insight 529 and ABLE Data Highlights”

Events: Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2019 will be held on September 25, 2019, at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, to deliver training, insight and networking opportunities to support the successful implementation and growth of ABLE accounts. Please save the date, look forward to seeing you there and thank you for the support.

Save the Date: Strategic Insight 529 Conference 2019 will be held from September 23-25, 2019, at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Sessions:

• 529 Conference: A highly interactive and educational industry gathering with the entire college financial planning ecosystem.
• 529 Essentials: A pre-conference session to train professionals on 529 plans and college financial planning in a constantly evolving market.
• ABLE Summit: A post-conference session to deliver training, insight and networking opportunities to support the successful implementation and growth of ABLE accounts.

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