Madeline Hume

Advisors are increasingly favoring cheaper direct-sold 529 plans, and advisor-sold plans are adapting to keep up.

What they are and how they've changed.

Despite the evolution of these plans, there's still plenty of progress left to make.

Execution missteps in its Nevada 529 plan resulted in an exposure to stocks that was an eye-popping 20 percentage points more than investors expected.

American Funds has blazed its own trail to chart-topping results. But can it change course if the tide shifts?

This target-date series enjoys durable advantages.

Choosing a good 529 college savings plan is important, but when you start saving is key.

Here's how they've been performing and what college savers should be thinking about today.

A look at how 529 investments stack up under our enhanced methodology.

We've updated our methodology -- and low-cost options benefit.

How we've modified our methodology for rating 529 plans.

Madeline Hume discusses how investors should react amid market volatility.

An uncertain future should not deter college savers from capturing 529 tax benefits today.

Although a manager change looms large, JPMorgan SmartRetirement Blend has responsibly planned for succession.

The SECURE Act opens the door for annuities in target-date funds.

Is Vanguard Managed Payout's makeover the end of an era?

What do college savers miss when they put off investing in a 529 plan?

Learn which states' plans are excelling and which go to the back of the class.

These best-in-class plans offer a combination of attractive features.

We look at the college savings landscape in broad strokes and in fine detail.

As most 529 plans make improvements, plans that stay stagnant are falling behind.

Multi-asset retirement income funds can be useful, but they're not all alike.

Bronze-rated MFS Total Return and MFS Global Total Return both should deliver over time.

Silver-rated American Funds Capital Income Builder is still strong despite the recent slump in dividend paying stocks.