Investment Options

1. Effective November 18, 2024, there were a number of changes to investment options (for example, the transition of age-based portfolios to target date and the streamlining of objective-based and individual portfolios). Please see the Program Description for detailed information.
2. Earnings are free from federal income tax when withdrawn for qualified higher education expenses or used up to $10,000 per year for eligible primary and secondary schools. The Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which was signed into law in December 2017 and became effective January 1, 2018, expanded the definition of a qualified higher education expenses to include up to $10,000 (federal tax-free withdrawals) per year in tuition expenses at private, public and religious elementary and secondary schools (K-12). The state tax consequences of using 529 plans for elementary or secondary education tuition expenses will vary depending on state law and may include recapture of tax deductions received from the original state and may also include taxes and penalties. Some states do not offer state tax deductions or tax credits for K-12 tuition, and other restrictions may apply.
3.  Assets of the Ariel 529 Portfolio currently are invested in the Ariel Fund, a series of Ariel Investment Trust, distributed by Ariel Distributors, LLC. The Ariel Fund’s fundamental objective is long-term capital appreciation. Ariel Investments, LLC is not affiliated with Franklin Templeton. For a description of the Fund’s main types of investment risks, please see the Program Description.
4. Source: Saving For College, awarded in September 2025. The factors Saving For College uses to examine and score each 529 plan are grouped into four categories: Performance, Ease of Use, Savings Success, and Program Delivery. A plan's four individual category scores are computed on a scale of 1 to 5 and carried out to two decimal places as displayed on the Plan Details page. The overall 529 Rating is a weighted average of these four category scores. In all of these categories, objective criteria have been established with which to compare plans, often using numerical data as the basis to evaluate a factor's score. For additional details, please refer to the official award website: https://www.savingforcollege.com/529-plan-ratings/criteria. Franklin Templeton did not pay an entry fee for the award.

All investments involve risks, including possible loss of principal. Equity securities are subject to price fluctuation and possible loss of principal. Small- and mid-cap stocks involve greater risks and volatility than large-cap stocks. International investments are subject to special risks, including currency fluctuations and social, economic and political uncertainties, which could increase volatility. These risks are magnified in emerging markets. Fixed income securities involve interest rate, credit, inflation and reinvestment risks, and possible loss of principal. As interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities falls. Low-rated, high-yield bonds are subject to greater price volatility, illiquidity and possibility of default. Asset-backed, mortgage-backed or mortgage-related securities are subject to prepayment and extension risks. The investment style may become out of favor, which may have a negative impact on performance. To the extent the portfolio invests in a concentration of certain securities, regions or industries, it is subject to increased volatility. The manager may consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in the research or investment process; however, ESG considerations may not be a determinative factor in security selection. In addition, the manager may not assess every investment for ESG criteria, and not every ESG factor may be identified or evaluated. These and other risks are discussed in the fund’s prospectus.

Government/Treasury Money Market Funds: You could lose money by investing in the fund. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the fund is not a bank account and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The fund’s sponsor is not required to reimburse the fund for losses, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the fund at any time, including during periods of market stress. Although the fund invests in U.S. government obligations, an investment in the fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. government.

Investors should carefully consider the 529 plan’s investment goals, risks, charges and expenses before investing. To obtain the Program Description, which contains this and other information, talk to your financial professional or call Franklin Distributors, LLC, the manager and underwriter for the 529 plan at (800) DIAL BEN/342-5236 or visit franklintempleton.com. You should read the Program Description carefully before investing and consider whether your, or the beneficiary’s, home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in its qualified tuition program. 

Franklin Templeton’s 529 College Savings Plan is offered and administered by the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA); managed and distributed by Franklin Distributors, LLC, an affiliate of Franklin Resources, Inc., 
which operates as Franklin Templeton. 

Investments in Franklin Templeton’s 529 College Savings Plan are not insured by the FDIC or any other government agency and are not deposits or other obligations of any depository institution. Investments are not guaranteed by the State of New Jersey, Franklin Templeton, or its affiliates and are subject to risks, including loss of principal amount invested. Investing in the plan does not guarantee admission to any particular primary, secondary school or college, or sufficient funds for primary, secondary school or college.

This material is being provided for general informational and educational purposes and should not be considered or relied upon as legal, tax or investment advice or an investment recommendation, or as a substitute for legal or tax counsel and provided for educational and informational purposes only. Franklin Templeton does not provide legal or tax advice. Federal and state laws and regulations are complex and subject to change, which can materially impact your results. Franklin Templeton cannot guarantee that such information is accurate, complete or timely; and disclaims any liability arising out of your use of, or any tax position taken in reliance on, such information.

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