Special Section: Round-up on Market Volatility & Coronavirus

By Paul Curley, CFA | paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com | March 12, 2020

This special section rounds up the articles released by 529 product providers and distributors on the recent market volatility and coronavirus.

This special section rounds up the articles released by 529 product providers and distributors on the recent market volatility and the coronavirus (COVID-19).

In order of publication date:
– Virginia529, “Coronavirus: A Message from Virginia529” (published: March 2020)
– ABLEnow, “Coronavirus: A Message from ABLEnow” (March 2020)
– Virginia529 and ABLEnow, “What Should Investors Do During Times of Market Uncertainty?” (March 2020)
– Capital Group, “Capital CEO Tim Armour on weathering the coronavirus” (March 10, 2020)
– SavingforCollege, “How to Protect Your 529 College Savings Plan Right Now” (March 11, 2020)
– College Coach, “Saving and Paying for College in a Market Downturn” (March 11, 2020)
Ohio Tuition Trust Authority, “Customer Service Line For Ohio’s 529 Plan Will Not Be Available Beginning, Monday, March 16” (March 13, 2020)
NEST 529 College Savings, “Coronavirus Updates” (March 2020)
TIAA, “529 College Savings Plans: Market Volatility During Uncertain Times” (March 13, 2020)
College Savings Plan Network, “Should I continue to save in a 529 plan during the COVID-19 market turmoil?” (March 30, 2020)
Legg Mason, “COVID-19’s Effect on Your 529 Plan Account, and What Actions You Should Consider” (March 31, 2020)
The Education Plan, “COVID-19 Advisory” (March 2020)
My529, “A message from the my529 Executive Director” (March 2020)
Iowa Advisor 529 Plan, “529 Savers: Stay the Course” (March 2020)
Future Scholar, “Saving for College in a Time of Market Uncertainty” (April 1, 2020)
Florid Prepaid, “Special COVID-19 Information” (April 2020)
Private College 529 Plan, “Prepaid Peace of Mind” (April 2020)
NextGen 529, “Concerned about uncertainty in the market?” (April 2020)
NextGen 529, “Resources for Maine Families with NextGen 529 Accounts in Response to COVID-19” (April 2020)
Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB), “COVID-19 Information” (April 2020)
– Union Bank & Trust Bright Directions Program and CollegeCounts Fund, “COVID-19 & Market Volatility Update” (April 2020)
– NorthStar LoneStar 529 Plan, “COVID-19: A Message From the LoneStar 529 Plan” (April 2020)
Putnam, “Putnam response to the COVID-19 pandemic” (March 27, 2020)
CollegeInvest, “Covid-19 College Refunds”

Editor’s Take: 529 product providers and distributors have business continuity plans in place, and are continuously improving and testing them to ensure ongoing operations is not impacted for their clients. From a market volatility perspective, the importance of saving and saving efficiently over time with automatic contributions with additional one-time and gifting contributions continues as an important, effective and efficient way for families to save, pay and repay the cost of education over the long-term. Thank you to the 529 product providers and distributors for your important messages, and we expect additional 529 product providers and distributors to share important messages in the near future as well. Therefore, this article will be updated as additional messages are published.

Last Updated: April 21 2020