Catalis, one of the nation's leading providers of 529 education savings plans, and Creative Planning, one of the nation's leading independent registered investment advisor firms, have announced a strategic partnership to modernize and relaunch the Mississippi Affordable College Savings (MACS) Plan.

State-administered 529 plans, named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, allow families to save for education on a tax-advantaged basis. The MACS Plan is Mississippi's official state-sponsored college savings program. Changes under the federal SECURE 2.0 Act, signed into law in December 2022, have expanded the appeal of 529 accounts by allowing beneficiaries to roll over up to $35,000 in unused funds into Roth IRAs beginning in 2024, broadening the plans' utility beyond traditional tuition costs.

As MACS' new investment manager, Creative Planning brings more than 40 years of institutional investment expertise to the 529 savings plan market. The partnership pairs Catalis' savings program platform with Creative Planning's open-architecture investment approach to deliver a simpler, more modern experience for families saving for education.

"By combining Catalis' modern 529 platform with Creative Planning's open architecture, we're helping Mississippi families save with more choice, lower costs and greater simplicity," said Scott Roza, CEO of Catalis.

Investment Innovation for Today's 529 Savers

The modernized MACS Plan is designed to make saving easier, more flexible, and more cost-effective for account owners. The initiative comes amid a broader trend among state 529 programs to lower fees and improve digital experiences as competition among plan administrators intensifies. Key enhancements include:

• Enrollment year portfolios that automatically adjust over time, giving savers a clear path toward future education expenses.
• Simplified risk-based portfolios for account owners who prefer a streamlined investment selection.
• Reduced costs for MACS account owners, with a 20% fee reduction from the current structure.
• An enhanced planning tool to help customers choose investments during enrollment.

"To drive value to our 529 plan clients, Catalis purposely sought an investment partner that offers both true open investment architecture and strong access to top national investment firms," Roza said. "Open architecture is a bedrock principle for Creative Planning, and they are uniquely positioned to deliver innovation and value to the 529 savings plan market."

"We're excited to bring Creative Planning's open-architecture investment approach to the 529 educational savings market," said Creative Planning CEO Peter Mallouk. "Our breadth and leverage create efficiencies that will deliver a more modern experience and greater value for families saving for education."

Modern Payments and Digital Tools

The investment transition is part of a broader modernization effort by Catalis that brings market-leading payment innovation directly into the 529 customer account experience through a single login, including:

• Digital wallet gifting through PayPal and Venmo, including cryptocurrency, making it easier for friends and family to contribute.
• Visa and Mastercard prepaid cards that help students pay for textbooks and other qualified education expenses.

"Together, Catalis and Creative Planning are bringing Mississippi families a modernized 529 platform built for value, choice and long-term savings success," Roza said.