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 education financial planning process by creating and sharing industry relevant news, product training, market data 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 Research
529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence
paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

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

• Effective today, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) has migrated to a new display for 529 plan, ABLE program, and LGIP program disclosure documents on the Electronic Municipal Market Access (“EMMA”) website.  Plan submission agents must continue to (1) archive historical plan disclosure documents; and (2) review and match unassigned plan supplements to their corresponding primary plan disclosure documents. 

  Important Note: Now that the display migration has taken place, the EMMA website will not accept new plan document submissions until all unassigned supplements currently in the EMMA system have been matched to their primary plan documents.

• Federal Reserve Bank of New York, “Household debt rose modestly; Delinquency rates remain elevated.” Editor’s Take: Creating and executing an education financial plan that includes saving and saving efficiently and effectively with 529s remains one of the best actionable tactics as part of a larger strategy to minimize or reduce the need for student loans. This statement is against the backdrop of rising overall U.S. household debt to over $17.9 trillion and rising overall student loan debt to $1.606 trillion as of Q3 2024. Furthermore, delinquency rates on debt continues to rise as highlighted in the report. This article aligns with the why step of financial planning overall, and education financial planning specifically. Have the education financial planning conversation today.
• YouTube (video by Edvest 529, Wisconsin’s College Savings Plan), “College Savings Connection: Do you lose 529 funds if you don’t use it for higher education?” Editor’s Take: Thank you TIAA for creating and sharing this question and answer on a common question by families. Watch, learn and grow.
• Autism Speaks, “30/10 – Milestone birthdays for my son and the ABLE Act.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Stuart Spielman of Autism Speaks for creating and sharing your personal perspective on the importance of ABLE accounts for families at the 10-year junction of the ABLE Act. At this milestone, it’s important to look at the past, present and future, and thank you for all that you do Autism Speaks and Stuart Spielman. Read, learn, and share this important message.
• ABLE National Resource Center (ABLE NRC), “Webinar – Celebrating 10 year of ABLE: It’s impact and vision for the future.” Editor’s Take: On December 18th, ABLE NRC will host a webinar with four speakers to reflect on the progress of ABLE.
• 529 Insiders, “3Q 2024 529 & ABLE market sizing highlights.” Editor’s Take: Click the link to learn more about 529 and ABLE market sizing as of September 30, 2024.
• ISS Status Boards: K-12, Student Loans & Apprenticeships, and 529 to Roth Distributions

Please Save the Dates for 529 Conference 2025 by ISS Market Intelligence:

• Location: Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Florida, USA
• Dates: September 29, 2025 – October 1, 2025
• Sunday, September 28: Welcome Reception
• Monday, September 29: Day 1 – 529 Essentials Seminar
• Tuesday, September 30: Day 2 – 529 Conference Panels, Presentations & Roundtables
• Wednesday, October 1: Day 3 – 529 Conference Final Day of Panels, Presentations & Roundtables

Please forward it over to a friend to subscribe using the link here, or click “reply” anytime to connect and share thoughts and ideas. In the meantime, Happy Holidays!