– 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: Competition in College Savings Investment Products, 2017

• What is the total amount of assets invested for college savings in each investment product vehicle as of 2017?

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

• 3% to 5% expected increase in tuition and fees per year will result in an expected four year cost of higher education as high as $400,000 by 2036. Editor's Take: The related resources section on the right of the page includes a PPT version of the presentation, which allows you to easily add in parts of the presentation to your presentation deck for clients. Thank you for creating and sharing the tool for advisors.
• Planadviser, “Student loan debt relief programs may grow in prominence.” Editor's Take: College financial planning employer benefits continues to gain traction.
• Financial Planning, “Need specifics on investing in 529s? Here is the lesson plan.” Editor's Take: Thank you for raising the prioritization of college financial planning by covering 529s.
• Boston College Center for Retirement Research, “College debt can limit 401(k) saving.” Editor's Take: The existence of student loan debt, not the size of the student loan, is the primary factor in ability to save for retirement.
• Last Week's Most Read Article: 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.

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:

• Farr Law Firm, “Imagine paying college tuition for the rest of your life.” Editor's Take: Timely article that shares special needs planning strategies that incorporates ABLE accounts and specials needs trusts.
• 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 NH STABLE. Thank you for building awareness through outreach which will continue to help more families to successfully use ABLE accounts.
• 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.

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.

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.

“The importance of college saving and planning for college grows more and more every year. I expect that our team will continue to make even more 529 plan recommendations because of this.”
– Financial advisor survey response in the Strategic Insight 529 Distribution Analysis 2017 Research Report

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