Products August 5, 2008

First All-ETF 529 Plan Available for Adviser Distribution

Barclays Global Investors (BGI) and 529 plan administrator Upromise Investments, Inc., introduced a 529 college savings plan designed with portfolios that invest exclusively in BGI's iShares exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and targeted specifically to fee-based advisory business.
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The iShares 529 Plan is a low-priced, no-load adviser sold option that is available only to fee-based advisers, and developed to meet the needs of advisers who are looking for a transparent and flexible college savings program for clients, according to a news release.

The plan offers three types of portfolios including:

  • Year-of-Enrollment Portfolios – based on the amount of time until a child enters college
  • Asset Allocation Portfolios – based on risk profile or desired asset allocation
  • Custom iShares Portfolios – based on individual investing choices in domestic equity, international equity, real estate, or fixed income

Advisers can access the iShares 529 Plan through Upromise Investments’ administrative platform. Upromise Investments’ recordkeeping platform and 529 QuickView dashboard provide advisers with easy access to accounts, information, and management options, the release explained.

The iShares 529 Plan is a college tuition savings program sponsored by the State of Arkansas and is administered by the Arkansas 529 Plan Review Committee. Since the plan is sponsored by the State of Arkansas, Arkansas residents will benefit from state income tax deductions of up to $5,000 per taxpayer annually, or $10,000 for married couples (contributions to the Plan in a tax year are deductible from Arkansas state income, subject to recapture in subsequent years in which a non-qualified withdrawal or a rollover out to another state’s 529 plan is made).

Advisers and investors interested in learning more about the iShares 529 Plan can call 1-888-529-9552 or visit www.ishares529.com.

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