– 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

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

• 36% of employees with financial wellness coaches contribute to a college savings account, compared to 17% of those with financial wellness via online portals only. Editor's Take: Financial advisors create value in the college financial planning process through their active participation with clients, and can add value as a planadviser with college financial planning through financial wellness programs. Have the college financial planning conversation today.
• 17% of millennials lose sleep over student loan debt payments. Editor's Take: Help retain current clients and gain new ones by taking care of their most pressing issue of college financial planning.
• 69% of the average millennial's debt is made up of student loans
• CPA Journal, “Paying for higher education under the tax cuts and jobs act.” Editor's Take: Thorough round-up of investment vehicles, financial aid and tax incentives for higher education.
• Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, “MSRB announces members of board advisory groups.” Editor's Take: I appreciate the opportunity to work together to help more families to save and save efficiently.

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:

• 529 Insiders, “List of Open ABLE Programs.” Editor's Take: The list has been updated to reflect the launch of AR ABLE. Click the link to review the list of currently open programs.
• Investment News, “Tips on special-needs planning.” Editor's Take: Timely update, and learn more about special needs planning in the 529 Insiders question and answer article here with Minoti Rajput, founder and principal advisor of Secure Planning Strategies and Author of “Beyond a Parent’s Love.”
• 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 NY ABLE, ABLE New Mexico and AR ABLE. Thank you for building awareness through outreach which will continue to help more families to successfully use ABLE accounts.
• CalABLE, “RFP for marketing services.” Editor's Take: CalABLE has released a RFP for marketing services for its program with a deadline of November, 30, 2018.
• 529 Insiders, “2Q 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, and look forward to seeing you there.

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.

Please email Paul Curley at paul.curley@strategic-i.com to inquire about having him provide a 529 or ABLE continuing education or industry landscape update presentation, or to participate in an event or podcast.

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