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Beginning Thursday, February 6, 2025, DreamAhead will transition to a new program manager.
With this transition, you’ll experience:
- Lower Fees
- Investment Menu Updates
- Modern Account Management
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WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?
Account information, including all activity prior to the transition, account preferences, and investments will automatically transfer to the new account management system. However, please be aware of the important transition dates and required action outlined below.
It is important that you read the Transition Guide and updated Program Details Booklet carefully as they outline differences between the pre- and post-transition Plan, important dates, common questions, the mapping of your portfolios, and required action.
After the transition is complete on Monday, February 10, 2025, you will receive a letter by mail reflecting the balance that was transitioned to the new program manager. You will also receive an opening Account Activity Notification by mail, or email if you have elected e-delivery, providing your new account number and confirming the purchase of your new WA529 Invest units under the new program manager.
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UPDATE PAYROLL INSTRUCTIONS
If you currently contribute to your account through payroll, you need to update your payroll instructions with your employer to ensure continuation of your contributions. In January, a letter will be mailed to payroll contributors providing direction for updating payroll instructions.
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Transition Timeline
Important Dates to Remember
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
- No contributions will be processed beginning at 1:00 p.m. PT until Monday, February 10, 2025. This includes checks, automatic investment plan, payroll and ACH contributions.
Thursday, February 6, 2025
- Preparation for the Transition begins.
- The current DreamAhead account management website will be unavailable and no transaction or maintenance requests, including withdrawals, contributions or account changes will be processed after 1:00 p.m. PT.
Friday, February 7, 2025
- Call center is open from 6:00 a.m. PT to 5:00 p.m. PT for inquiries only. No account updates or transactions can be made.
Monday, February, 10, 2025
- Transition to the new program manager is complete.
- Accounts automatically transfer to the new account management system.
- Account balance(s) in your portfolios(s) automatically transfer to your new portfolios.
- Account access and transaction capability resume by 8:00 a.m. PT.
- The new-and-improved WA529 Invest website goes live and the new call center team is ready to serve you. The website address will be 529invest.wa.gov. The new call center hours will be Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. PT.
Week of February 10, 2025
- A letter reflecting your balance transferred to TFI is mailed to you by Vestwell.
- Opening account activity notification is mailed, or emailed if you have elected e-delivery, providing your new account number and confirming the purchase of your new WA529 Invest units under the new program manager, TFI.
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ABOUT YOUR NEW ACCOUNT NUMBER
Your WA529 Invest account number, provided in your opening Account Activity Notification, will change to 11-digits; 9-alphanumeric characters (your master account number) followed by a 2-digit extension distinguishing each of your beneficiaries. If you have only one beneficiary, the extension is 01. For multiple beneficiaries, it is 02, 03, etc. (e.g., B40000000-01).
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Required Action
Please review the information below as there are a few things you should do to ensure a smooth transition.
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ACTION
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WHAT'S NEEDED
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Before Transition Begins on February 6, 2025
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Review Transition Timeline
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During the transition, the call center and website will be unavailable and no account transactions or maintenance items will be processed.
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Update Payroll Instructions
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If you currently contribute to your account through payroll, you will need to update your payroll instructions with your employer to ensure continuation of your contribution. You will receive a separate mailing in January providing directions for updating your payroll instructions.
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Destroy Current DreamAhead Forms
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Discard any DreamAhead pre-addressed envelopes, deposit coupons, or forms prior to the transition so you do not mistakenly use them after the transition. The program address will change and any mail sent to the old address will be returned.
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Download and Keep Account Statements and 2024 Tax Forms
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We recommend that you download your most recent statement and tax forms, if applicable, prior to the transition.
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Confirm Mail and Email Address
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To ensure timely receipt of all transition communications, final statement and opening account activity notifications, log in to your account to make sure your mailing and email addresses are current.
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After Transition is Complete on February 10, 2025
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Re-Establish Online Account Access
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You must re-establish your online account at 529invest.wa.gov on or after February 10, 2025, to continue accessing and managing your account online. See page 6 Transition Guide for instructions.
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Contribution Allocation Instructions
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Contribution allocation instructions tell the program manager in which portfolio(s) future contributions are to be invested.
If you do not currently have allocation instructions for future contributions on your account, please consider adding them. If allocation instructions are not added we will allocate your future contributions based on your recent activity in the following order:
- Payroll contributions
- Automatic Investment Plan
- Portfolio Market Value
If your account is unfunded or closed, contributions will be made to the Principal Plus Interest Portfolio.
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Download the READYSAVE™ 529 App
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Download the READYSAVE™ 529 App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. See page 10 of the Transition Guide to scan QR codes with your mobile phone. Online account access cannot be re-established from the App.
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Ugift ®
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To receive future gifts, use the new gifting tool, Ugift ®, at 529invest.wa.gov or the READYSAVE 529™ after you re-establish online account access.
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Update Bill Pay
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If bill pay is utilized, you must update your bank after February 10, 2025, with your new 11-digit WA529 Invest account number (located on your opening account activity notification) and new address:
PO Box 219072
Kansas City MO 64121-9072
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Thank you for your investment in DreamAhead. Together we can help make your dreams of higher education for you, your child or loved one come true. For more information, click the buttons below to review the Transition Guide, Program Details Booklet and access all transition communications pertaining to the program management change.
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Legal disclosure
Please refer to the Program Details Booklet (located at 529.wa.gov before the Transition and at 529invest.wa.gov after the Transition) before investing for its investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses and determine whether your home state offers tax or other benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, or protection from creditors for investing in its own 529 plan.
DreamAhead is a Qualified Tuition Program sponsored by the State of Washington and distributed by the Committee on Advanced Tuition Payment and College Savings. Vestwell State Savings, LLC serves as the Program Manager of DreamAhead.
Vestwell provides program management services to DreamAhead, including recordkeeping and administrative support. BNY Mellon Advisors, Inc., a BNY Mellon Company, provides investment advisory services to DreamAhead. Upon completion of the transition, TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., an SEC registered investment adviser, will be the Program Manager for WA529 Invest. TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC, member FINRA, will be the distributor for the plan.
Ugift® is a registered service mark of Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, LLC.
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