– 529 Insiders Article of the Week
– 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

Target Market Analysis: Total College Savings Market Sizing, 2008-2017

• What is the total amount of assets invested for college financial planning across all investment vehicles?

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

• Department of Education, “EFC Formula, 2019-2020.” Editor Take: This year's expected family contribution (EFC) formula for dependent students and independent students has been released. It includes calculations on how parental and student assets and income impact the student's eligibility for some forms of federal student aid.
• The Weekly Pulse, “Sunday, September 2, 2018.” Editor's Take: This week's podcast highlights the recent discussion around expanding employer contribution matches from 401(k) and student loan debt repayments to 529 plans. Listen to this week's podcast to learn more, and thank you for creating and sharing your great work Jeff Snyder.
• 15% increase in average size of student loans from 2013 to 2016 per the Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finance.
• OppenheimerFunds, “The ABCs of education savings.” Editor's Take: Educational chart book on 529s, college financial planning and college affordability. There are several new concepts, including how college financial planning interacts with retirement financial planning. Read and learn about the intriguing new storylines.
• Financial Advisor Magazine, “90s college kids are middle-aged and still juggling student loan debt.” Editor's Take: Lack of college financial planning is negatively impacting retirement financial planning. Read the chart book here to learn how to help your clients solve the issue of college and retirement financial planning together.
• Bloomberg, “Facing down the student debt crisis.” Editor's Take: Thank you John Hupalo for your insight on the role of student loan debt in college financial planning and college affordability. Also, learn more about the S&P Target Tuition Inflation Index discussed in the video in the 529 Insiders article here.

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:

• ThinkAdvisor, “529 ABLE accounts: The special needs planning tool advisors overlook.” Editor's Take: The article provides advisor insight on clients, ABLE and special needs trusts from Kathleen Oberneder, special needs advisor with Crescendo Wealth Management. The article is through, and even includes additional Q&A at the end of the article. Well worth the time to read, and so have a look. Also, thank you for quoting Strategic Insight's ABLE data in the article.
• 529 Insiders, “2Q 2018 Strategic Insight 529 and ABLE Data Highlights”

Events: Strategic Insight ABLE Summit 2018 will be held on September 26, 2018, at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. Register here.

Agenda Update:

• Alisa Ferguson, Associate General Counsel, Virginia529 & ABLEnow, has been confirmed as a speaker on the “ABLE Primer panel.

When: September 24-26, 2018
Where: JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
What: A highly interactive and educational industry gathering with the entire college financial planning ecosystem.
How: Register here.

Agenda Update:

• Chris McGee, General Counsel, Virginia529 & ABLEnow, has been confirmed as a speaker on the “Tax Policy: Legislative & Regulatory Developments” panel.

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