– 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:

• The Hill, “House passes two bills in new GOP tax package.” Editor's Take: Tax Reform 2.0 is currently on pace to further expand 529 capabilities to help families to save and save efficiently for higher education. While 529 qualified expenses is on pace to expand to home schooling expenses, apprenticeship related expenses and student loan repayments (up to $10,000 per year), the bill is also currently structured to expand 529 qualified expenses at the Federal income tax level from K-12 tuition to include related expenses. Other articles on this topic were run in CNBC. While the bill has passed the House, the Senate is not expected to take action within the next month. Continue to read the 529 Dash e-newsletter to keep up to date on the legislative activity of 529s and college financial planning.
• ThinkAdvisor, “Looking to recruit millennials? Student loan repayment may be a new hook.” Editor's Take: Adding college financial planning employer benefits can help employers to recruit and retain top producing employees.
• Plansponsor, “Providers collaborate on employer student loan repayment benefits.” Editor's Take: College financial planning employer benefits continue to gain traction. Read the article to learn more about the new product development.
• Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, “Americans’ compulsion for clutter.” Editor's Take: Timely article on why families may be having trouble achieving their financial goals such as retirement and college. Have the college planning discussion with your clients 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:

• JD Supra, “Jane’s top tips for planning for the elderly and the disabled In light of the tax cuts and jobs act of 2017.” Editor's Take: Seven trends and strategies on how you can help your clients with ABLE accounts and special needs planning.
• Elder & Disability Law Blog, “New Jersey ABLE program offers a new savings option for the disabled.” Editor's Take: In-depth overview of ABLE accounts for readership in New Jersey. Application of many of the planning strategies can be considered nation-wide as well.
• Nasdaq, “ABLE accounts can help Americans with disabilities save.” Editor's Take: Primer content from a leading news source. Thank you for helping to raise awareness of ABLE accounts.
• 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. Please save the date.

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

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 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.

“(529s provide) best of both worlds — tax free growth and tax free withdrawals. Assets are exempt from estate (tax).”
– Financial Advisor working with a wirehouse with over 15 years of experience that is based in Hawaii with over $150 million in assets; survey response from the Strategic Insight 529 Distribution Analysis 2017 Research Report

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