– 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
LinkedIn: Strategic Insight 529 Dash LinkedIn Group

Target Market Analysis: Competition in College Savings Investment Products

What is the total amount of assets invested for college savings in each investment product vehicle?

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

– Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, “Employers chop down college loans.” Editor’s Take: Further evidence that shows that plan advisers should work with their current and target employer clients to implement a college financial planning employer benefit to align with the needs of their current and target employees.
– BenefitsPro, “8 ways to make your benefits stand out from the pack.” Editor’s Take: Advisors should provide this article to their institutional clients as evidence of the importance of adding college financial planning employer benefits to benefits packages.

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

– 7.1% increase in federal gift tax in 2018. Editor’s Take: Thank you Jennifer Guimond-Quigley for noting the increase in federal annual exclusion from $14,000 per donee in 2017 to $15,000 per donee in 2018 ($30,000 per year in 2018 for married couples).

Here is the latest 529 and ABLE market data by Strategic Insight that can be used by the media and other organizations.

This week’s top news, resources, legislative updates and product announcements relating to ABLE accounts, which are tax-advantaged savings accounts for certain individuals with disabilities and their families.

News, Research, Data & Resources:
– Abilities Expo DC Metro will be held from December 1-3, 2017 at the Dulles Expo Center
– Disability Scoop, “ABLE account limit set to rise.” Editor’s Take: IRS is set to increase the annual federal gift tax limit from $14,000 to $15,000 per year starting in 2018.
– 529 Insiders, “529 & ABLE 3Q 2017 529 Data Highlights.” Editor’s Take: ABLE is successfully helping a growing number of families to save for qualified expenses.

Events:
– Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2018 will be held on September 26, 2018, at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes.
– Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2019 will be held on September 25, 2019, at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Save the Date:
– 529 Conference 2018: September 24-26, 2018 – JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
– 529 Conference 2019: September 23-25, 2019 – 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 in a constantly evolving market.
– ABLE Summit: A post-conference session to deliver insight and networking opportunities to support the successful implementation and growth of ABLE accounts.

Please email Paul at paul.curley@strategic-i.com to inquire about having him provide a continuing education or industry landscape update presentation.

“You can research schools to see what they charge today and what the projected costs will be when the child goes off to college.”

Jeff Dixson, Founder and President of Northwest Financial & Tax Solutions

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