– 529 Insiders
– News & Research
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– ABLE Act Column
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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 and institutions who sell and service families and employers in the education financial planning process by creating and sharing industry relevant news, product training and best practices, while also building awareness and understanding of the importance of 529s, ABLE accounts and education financial planning.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

Paul Curley, CFA
Director of Savings Research
paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

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

• Medium, “Student loan payments are not a career choice.” Editor's Take: Thank you Jim Katzaman for creating and sharing this article, and for helping families to save, pay and repay the cost of higher education.
• HR Morning, “Employer 529 plans: A benefit that strikes at the heart of student debt.” Editor's Take: Thank you Merrill Milani of Virginia529 for helping to build awareness and understanding of college financial planning employer benefits, and much appreciated.
• 529 Conference, “Direct-Sold Marketing Strategies.” Editor's Take: Thank you Alex Heuer of PeachJar for your time and insight on the panel as highlighted in the photo here and video here, and for explaining how organizations can leverage the connection between parents and schools to promote college financial planning and their 529 plan. Thank you for helping the industry to get the message out about the importance of college financial planning, and click the links to learn more.
• SoundCloud, “529 Dash Podcast: Interview with Anthony ONeal.” Editor's Take: Click the article to listen to the live interview between Paul Curley and Anthony ONeal, Author of Debt Free Degree by Ramsey Press.

Here is the latest 529 and ABLE market data 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:

• Federal Registrar, “Contribution limits applicable to ABLE accounts.” Editor's Take: The IRS and US Treasury Department has released proposed regulations for ABLE accounts and there contribution limits with a request for comment deadline of January 8, 2020.
• Social Media Buzz, “Tweets. Media.” Editor's Take: Thank you INvestABLE Indiana and ABLE New Mexico for helping to build awareness and understanding of ABLE accounts.
• NerdWallet, “3 tax breaks for parents of children with special needs.” Editor's Take: Thank you for your coverage of ABLE accounts, and pleasure meeting your team at FinCon 2019.

“As the majority of investors in 529 plans use age-based investment options, this product enhancement will have a material positive impact for families, and the industry,” Curley says of the Blend series addition.
– Ignites, “Fidelity Cuts 529 Fees, Adds ‘Blend’ Portfolios”; Quote by Paul Curley, Director of College Savings Research, ISS Market Intelligence in

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