RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Invest529 has received a Morningstar Analyst Rating™ of Gold as announced by independent investment research provider Morningstar, Inc. This is the third year in a row that the program has earned the top designation from the Chicago-based firm.
The Morningstar ratings are assigned to college-savings plans across the United States based on five pillars – Process, People, Parent, Price and Performance — that assess investment options, program management and plan performance, among other factors. The organization also considers unique benefits that plans offer, including tax breaks, grants and scholarships.
Invest529 is administered by Virginia529, the nation’s largest 529 plan. The program is available to any U.S. citizen or legal resident and offers a variety of low-cost investment portfolios.
“This recognition --- year after year --- is a significant achievement for Invest529 and Virginia529,” said Mary Morris, CEO of Virginia529. “Our mission to assist families in achieving their higher education goals team is reflected in Virginia529’s commitment to thoughtfully constructed and professionally managed investment options with low fees.”
Invest529 earned its Gold rating this year as Morningstar recognized that the plan “remains on the cutting edge of the 529 industry” and its “well-diversified approach, strong underlying investments, and competitive price tag” continue to make it “a topnotch option for college savers.”
Measured by market share, total accounts and assets under management, Virginia529 remains one of the fastest-growing 529 plans in the nation, with responsibility for 2.6 million accounts and more than $72 billion in assets invested for future higher education expenses.
Learn more about Invest529, CollegeAmerica and Virginia529 at Virginia529.com.
About Invest529:
Invest529SM makes higher education more accessible and affordable for families and individuals. With more than $4 billion in assets under management and nearly 300,000 accounts as of September 30, 2018, Invest529 is one of the fastest growing 529 programs in the country. Invest529 is one of only four gold-rated programs by Morningstar, and offers more than 20 portfolio options for individuals to choose from. For more information on Invest529’s higher education savings options, visit Invest529.com or call 1-888-567-0540 to obtain program materials. These include information on Invest529’s investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other important information; read and consider them carefully before investing. All investments are subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Invest529 encourages prospective participants to seek the advice of a professional concerning any financial, tax or legal implications related to opening an account. Invest529 is offered exclusively by Virginia529, the nation’s largest college savings plan. For residents of states other than Virginia: before investing, you should consider whether your or the beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protections from creditors that are only available for investments in that state’s qualified tuition program. ©2018 Virginia College Savings Plan. All Rights Reserved.
About Morningstar's Manager Research Group:
Morningstar's Manager Research Group consists of various wholly owned subsidiaries of Morningstar, Inc. including, but not limited to, Morningstar Research Services LLC. Analyst Ratings are subjective in nature and should not be used as the sole basis for investment decisions. Analyst Ratings are based on Morningstar's Manager Research Group's current expectations about future events and therefore involve unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause such expectations not to occur or to differ significantly from what was expected. Analyst Ratings are not guarantees nor should they be viewed as an assessment of a fund's or a fund's or separately managed account's underlying securities' creditworthiness. This press release is for informational purposes only; references to securities or a separately managed account investment strategy in this press release should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell the securities or to invest in accordance with that strategy.