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Catalis and Creative Planning Partner to Modernize 529 Savings Experience

By Lauren Towner · 14 August 2026

In brief: Catalis and Creative Planning have partnered to modernize the 529 savings experience by combining government technology infrastructure with professional wealth management for education savings programs.

Key facts
Primary PartnersCatalis and Creative Planning
Focus Area529 Savings Experience
Press Release: Catalis and Creative Planning Partner to Modernize 529 Savings Experience | Featured Image by FF News

Quick Summary

Catalis and Creative Planning have formed a strategic partnership to modernize the 529 savings experience. This collaboration integrates Catalis’s government technology with Creative Planning’s wealth management expertise to enhance digital infrastructure, streamline recordkeeping, and provide diversified investment options for state-sponsored education savings programs.

How Does the Catalis and Creative Planning Partnership Improve 529 Plans?

The 529 savings experience is being transformed through the integration of advanced recordkeeping technology and professional investment management. Catalis provides the digital infrastructure necessary for state governments to manage these programs efficiently, while Creative Planning brings its scale as a major independent wealth management firm to the investment side. This combination addresses the technical and financial complexities often associated with education savings.

  • Integration of robust recordkeeping and administrative technology.
  • Access to Creative Planning’s investment management expertise.
  • Streamlined digital interfaces for state treasurers and program administrators.
  • Diversified investment options tailored for education savers.

What Benefits Does This Modernization Bring to Families and States?

Families preparing for higher education costs will benefit from a more user-friendly 529 savings experience that simplifies account management. For state governments, the partnership offers a modernized platform that reduces administrative friction. By focusing on accessibility and digital-first solutions, the 529 savings experience becomes more intuitive for the end-user, potentially increasing participation in state-sponsored plans.

“We are excited to partner with Creative Planning to bring a new level of innovation to the 529 industry,” said a spokesperson for Catalis. “Our goal is to simplify the complexities of education savings and empower families to better prepare for the rising costs of higher education.”

FF NEWS TAKE:

This partnership moves the needle by bridging the gap between specialized government technology and institutional-grade wealth management. As the 529 savings experience becomes increasingly digital, the collaboration between Catalis and Creative Planning sets a benchmark for how state-sponsored programs can leverage private-sector innovation to improve financial outcomes for families. It is a significant step toward making education savings more accessible and efficient across the United States.

Frequently asked questions

How will Catalis and Creative Planning modernize the 529 savings experience?

The firms are modernizing the 529 savings experience by integrating Catalis’s administrative and recordkeeping technology with Creative Planning’s investment management expertise. This partnership aims to create a more streamlined, digital-first infrastructure for state-sponsored education savings programs, making it easier for families to manage accounts and for states to administer plans.

What role does Creative Planning play in this partnership?

Creative Planning will serve as the investment manager for select 529 programs that utilize Catalis technology. They will provide diversified investment options designed to help families prepare for the costs of higher education, leveraging their position as one of the largest independent wealth management firms in the United States.

Who benefits from the new Catalis and Creative Planning collaboration?

The partnership benefits state governments, program administrators, and families. State treasurers gain more efficient administrative tools, while families and plan participants receive a more user-friendly digital experience and access to professional investment management within their 529 education savings accounts.

About the companies

CATALIS

Part of PSG Equity · Website · 1 story on FF News since 2026

Creative Planning

Website · 2 stories on FF News since 2026

Previously on FF News:

Companies in this story: CATALIS, Creative Planning

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