Issue 261:
– 529 & ABLE News & Research
– 529 Conference 2021

529 Dash, Required Reading for Your 529 Education: The goal of the 529 Dash is to help institutions and financial professionals who help families and employers in the college 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 529 plans and ABLE accounts.

Please Read, Engage and Share.

Paul Curley, CFA
Director of 529 & ABLE Research
ISS Market Intelligence
paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

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

• Nasdaq Tradetalks, “The Kick off of a Series Focused on College Savings, Sponsored by the Nasdaq Fund Network.” Editor’s Take: In celebration of College Savings Month, Paul Curley of ISS Market Intelligence joined Jill Malandrino on Nasdaq #TradeTalks to kick off a series focused on College Savings. Click the link to watch.
• ISS Market Intelligence 529 & ABLE Webinar, “College Financial Planning Landscape Update 2021.” Editor’s Take: On August 31, 2021, Paul Curley, CFA, of ISS Market Intelligence hosted a webinar that provided an overview of the U.S. college financial planning landscape. Click the link to watch the replay.
• Federal Reserve Bank of New York, “Total household debt climbs in Q2 2021, new extensions of credit hit series highs.” Editor’s Take: As of 2Q 2021, households borrowed a total of $1.57 trillion in student loans. Of that amount, only 5.7% were over 90 days delinquent or in default due to the CARES Act student loan forbearance provision.
• ISS Market Intelligence, “2Q 2021 529 and ABLE Market Sizing Highlights.” Editor’s Take: 100,874 accounts invested $878 million in assets in ABLE (529A) accounts as of 2Q 2021.
• ABLE Age Adjustment Act Status Board: The bill would increase the age of onset for eligibility to open an ABLE account from 26 years old to 46 years old. As of August 26, 2021, the bill sponsorship was as follows:
  • Senate (S331): 1 sponsor and 12 cosponsors
  • Congress Sponsorship (HR1219): 1 sponsor and 69 cosponsors

What & Why: The 529 Conference is a highly interactive and educational industry gathering where you’ll learn from and network with the entire 529 and ABLE ecosystem to ensure product training, insight and networking across the 529 and ABLE community.

When: November 2-4, 2021

Where: Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grade Lakes, Florida, U.S. 

How: Registration now open here.

Updates:

• Agenda: 
  • Derek DeLorenzo, Sr. Director, Upromise 529 Programs, Upromise, has been confirmed as a speaker on the “Direct- and Employer-Sold Marketing Strategies” 529 Conference panel.

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