For many families, 529 plans are the cornerstone of education savings—but for financial advisors, understanding how to evaluate and optimize these plans requires more than just knowing the basics.
In session 3 of the Masterclass, we're fortunate to have one of the 529 plan industry's top expert, Mary Morris, educate you on the key factors that should drive 529 plan recommendations. From tax treatment and state-level incentives to ownership structure, investment options, and coordination with other benefits, this webinar will help you confidently guide clients through one of the most tax-advantaged planning tools available. Whether your clients are new parents, grandparents, or high-net-worth individuals looking to integrate 529s into their estate or multigenerational wealth plans, this session will sharpen your ability to make smart, customized recommendations.
Scott Morris from Savings for College will join Mary to show how you can use their program to efficiently compare 529 plans.
Mary G. Morris is the Chief Executive Officer of Commonwealth Savers (formerly known as Virginia529), which provides the largest tax-advantaged education savings program in the country with the direct Invest529 and advisor CollegeAmerica programs; the tax-advantaged disability savings ABLEnow and ABLEAmerica programs; and RetirePath Virginia, a state-facilitated workplace private retirement program launched in June 2023. Commonwealth Savers also sponsors SOAR Virginia, which administers a variety of scholarship and access, affordability, and attainment initiatives to foster inclusion in educational access and make postsecondary education more affordable and accessible to all.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the core features of 529 plans and how they differ across states.
- Understand how plan ownership affects financial aid, control, and estate planning.
- Evaluate investment menu options, glide paths, and fee structures.
- Recognize how 529 distributions impact tax credits, FAFSA, and other aid formulas.