Ultimus supports you across state-sponsored 529 college savings programs with comprehensive participant servicing and administration services, innovation and technology, and a partner-first approach designed to improve operational efficiency, help you grow plan participation, and educate new savers.
529 Plans
Optimize your state-sponsored
529 program
Administer your 529 program with a dedicated client service team
Running a state-sponsored 529 program requires tight coordination across governance and oversight, participant servicing and recordkeeping, back office operations, distribution, and marketing. Ultimus brings those functions together within a comprehensive, service-led operating model, helping you serve as a strong steward of the program while improving operational efficiency for your team.
Leverage deep experience across state-sponsored 529 programs
Maintain compliance ready governance
Ongoing IRS and MSRB compliance and oversight are central to a state-sponsored 529 program. We support you with IRS and MSRB compliance and oversight, as well as back office function support designed for state sponsors and their program stakeholders.
Move confidently through program transitions
A program manager or operating model change should not disrupt your account owners. Leverage an established implementation process and an experienced transition team to keep the program running smoothly from day one.
Deliver an engaged participant experience
Your account owners expect a smooth enrollment and reliable ongoing service. Ultimus supports you with electronic and paper enrollment materials, re-targeting advertising for abandoned enrollments, and call center support through chat and phone delivered by trained, US-based contact center team.
Reach and educate new savers
Your program grows when more families discover and use it. We produce and fulfill the outreach that reaches them including bilingual enrollment kits, matriculation postcards, and educational materials—coordinated across your print, grassroots, and digital vendors.
Services and solutions
Governance solutions
Governance solutions designed for state-sponsored 529 college savings, pre-paid, and ABLE programs, supporting the responsibilities of state sponsors and their program stakeholders.
Participant servicing and recordkeeping
Participant servicing and recordkeeping delivered by trained, regularly evaluated personnel through a scalable servicing model with quality metrics.
Enrollment and customer service
Electronic and paper enrollment materials, re-targeting advertising for abandoned enrollments, and call center support through chat and phone delivered by trained, regularly evaluated personnel.
Back office function support
Back office function support that keeps the day-to-day operations of your college savings program running smoothly.
IRS and MSRB compliance and oversight
IRS and MSRB compliance and oversight aligned with the standards you and your program stakeholders expect.
Distributor and marketing support
Marketing support including educational and sales collateral, MSRB Emma filings (including G-45), selling agreement coordination and establishment, bilingual materials production, FINRA advertising review through the Red Oak platform, website content coordination, and multimedia content, delivered alongside the Ultimus Distribution Advantage program.
Open architecture asset management and custody model
Distribution support and investment line-ups through your choice of a named advisor or third parties, alongside custody and trading services that fit your program's operating model.
Transition services
An established implementation process led by an experienced transition team to support program transitions with minimal disruption to your account owners.
Benefits of working with Ultimus
Partner with a firm that understands retail investment product distribution
Ultimus serves as a partner, not just a service provider, bringing comprehensive and engaged personal service to every state relationship.
Improve operational efficiency across your college savings program
Coordinate governance solutions, participant servicing and recordkeeping, back function support, and IRS and MSRB compliance and oversight through a single provider.
Deliver an engaged participant experience
Combine electronic and paper enrollment materials, re-targeting advertising for abandoned enrollments, call center support through chat and phone, and a mobile-friendly web portal with transactional and video capability.
Move confidently through a program transition
Follow an established implementation process led by an experienced transition team through program manager or operating model changes.
Contribute to the future of 529, pre-paid, and ABLE programs
Work with a firm active in the College Savings Plans Network (CSPN) and the College Savings Foundation (CSF).
Frequently asked questions
What types of college savings and Section 529 programs does Ultimus support?
Ultimus provides comprehensive financial administration, accounting, participant recordkeeping, and distribution services for prepaid and state-sponsored 529 college savings programs, with additional support for ABLE programs.
What services does Ultimus offer to your college savings program?
Governance solutions, participant servicing and recordkeeping, back office function support, IRS and MSRB compliance and oversight, marketing support in a lead or supplemental capacity, distribution support, investment line-ups through a named advisor or third parties, custody and trading services, and dedicated client service for advisors and investors.
How does Ultimus support enrollment and account owner service?
Through electronic and paper enrollment materials, re-targeting advertising for abandoned enrollments, and call center support via chat and phone delivered by trained, regularly evaluated personnel, along with a mobile-friendly web portal for transactional and video interactions.
Is Ultimus involved in the 529 and college savings industry?
Yes. Ultimus participates in the College Savings Plans Network (CSPN) and the College Savings Foundation (CSF), supporting advocacy for 529 and ABLE programs.