Issue 344

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
Associate Director
529 & ABLE Solutions, ISS Market Intelligence
paul.curley@issmarketintelligence.com
Twitter: @PaulCurleyBC

529 News & Research

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

Federal Student Aid, “FAFSA on the web worksheet.” Editor’s Take: This year’s FAFSA form has been released with a number of updates. The landing page landing page provides a number of resources, including a link to how to calculate asset net worth (2023-24). Bookmark these pages as they provide primary information needed to answer a number of common financial aid related questions.
AKF Consulting, “State-run retirement programs 2023.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Andrea Feirstein and team for creating and sharing your annual report on the growth of state-facilitated retirement programs given the parallels between 529, ABLE and now retirement. Click the link to learn more about trends, observations and considerations for states.
InvestmentNews, “What’s behind the Vestwell $125m series D funding?” Editor’s Take: Thank you Emile Hallez for sourcing and quoting ISS Market Intelligence in the article, and click the link to learn more about the update.
529 Insiders, “Status Board: State Income Tax Treatment on 529 Distributions to Roth IRAs.” Editor’s Take: Effective 2024, certain types of qualified transfers from 529s to Roth IRAs will be allowed from a federal income tax perspective. From a state income tax perspective, this article categorizes the transfer as a qualified expense, non-qualified expense or decision pending for residents and workers in those states from a state income tax recapture perspective based on publicly available information. This article will be updated over time as more information is received and incorporated.
- CNBC, “A ‘significant objection’ to 529 college savings plans will go away Jan. 1. ‘This is a big deal,’ expert says.” Editor’s Take: Thank you CNBC for covering this product enhancement.
529 Insiders, “3Q 2023 529 market sizing highlights.” Editor’s Take: What was the 529 market sizing as of 3Q 2023 (September 30, 2023)? Click the link to learn more.

ABLE News & Research

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

YouTube – The Arc-Dane County, “ABLE Accounts.” Editor’s Take: Thank you Arc-Dane County in Madison, Wisconsin, for creating and sharing this video on the essential elements of ABLE accounts. Watch, learn and share.
Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB), “Investor’s Guide for ABLE Programs.” Editor’s Take: Useful guide for institutional administrators, state agencies and investors alike. Click the link to bookmark the guide to use, reference and share in the future.
529 Insiders, “3Q 2023 ABLE market sizing highlights.” Editor’s Take: What was the ABLE market sizing as of 3Q 2023 (September 30, 2023)? Click the link to learn more.