The Illinois Bright Directions Advisor-Guided 529 College Savings Program, sold through brokers and fee-based financial advisors, features an extensive multi-manager platform offering a large number of age-based, static multi-fund, and individual-fund options. In November 2017, the Bright Start Advisor-Sold College Savings Program combined with the Illinois Bright Directions Advisor-Guided 529 College Savings Program. Investments in Bright Start Advisor-Sold College Savings Program accounts were automatically transitioned to the corresponding Bright Directions portfolios. To find a financial advisor in your area, use the Directory of Financial Professionals.

Fee Score

4 / 5

Performance

2.5 / 5

Program type
Savings
Inception
2005
State agency
Illinois State Treasurer
Tax deduction
Program Manager
Union Bank & Trust Company of Lincoln, Nebraska
Program distributor
Northern Trust Securities, Inc.

Plan Details

Investment Options

Investors in Bright Directions Advisor-Guided 529 College Savings Program can select from the following investment options. Click on a portfolio name for more information.

Child Age

Performance

Max Expense Ratio:

2.5%

Sometimes referred to as the enrollment-based option, this is an investment approach where your asset allocation is programmed to change over time. Accounts for young beneficiaries are invested aggressively and accounts for beneficiaries with college right around the corner are invested much more conservatively. In some 529 plans, the age-based option operates by automatically transferring your investment from one static portfolio to another at certain points in time. Others utilize lifecycle funds or employ lifecycle-type tactics within the portfolio containing your investment so that it is not necessary to transfer your investment between portfolios.

Portfolio	E.R.	% Equity	1YR Performance	Rank
Conservative
Age-Based Conservative: 0-2 years old	0.78%	80%	2.64%	10 of 27
Age-Based Conservative: 3-5 years old	0.78%	70%	1.97%	10 of 21
Age-Based Conservative: 6-8 years old	0.76%	60%	1.15%	24 of 26
Age-Based Conservative: 9-10 years old	0.75%	50%	0.56%	6 of 26
Age-Based Conservative: 19 years and older	0.53%	0%	-0.92%	3 of 33
Age-Based Conservative: 11-12 years old	0.72%	40%	0.28%	6 of 38
Age-Based Conservative: 13-14 years old	0.68%	30%	-0.46%	10 of 27
Age-Based Conservative: 15-16 years old	0.65%	20%	-0.82%	9 of 36
Age-Based Conservative: 17-18 years old	0.59%	10%	-0.85%	19 of 33
Moderate
Age-Based Moderate: 0-2 years old	0.8%	90%	3.31%	15 of 27
Age-Based Moderate: 3-5 years old	0.78%	80%	2.64%	9 of 27
Age-Based Moderate: 6-8 years old	0.78%	70%	1.97%	10 of 21
Age-Based Moderate: 9-10 years old	0.76%	60%	1.15%	16 of 26
Age-Based Moderate: 11-12 years old	0.75%	50%	0.56%	19 of 38
Age-Based Moderate: 13-14 years old	0.72%	40%	0.28%	5 of 38
Age-Based Moderate: 15-16 years old	0.68%	30%	-0.46%	12 of 31
Age-Based Moderate: 17-18 years old	0.65%	20%	-0.82%	8 of 36
Age-Based Moderate: 19 years and older	0.59%	10%	-0.85%	18 of 33
Aggressive
Age-Based Aggressive: 0-2 years old	0.82%	100%	3.76%	10 of 17
Age-Based Aggressive: 3-5 years old	0.8%	90%	3.31%	16 of 27
Age-Based Aggressive: 19 years and older	0.65%	20%	-0.82%	10 of 36
Age-Based Aggressive: 6-8 years old	0.78%	80%	2.64%	13 of 20
Age-Based Aggressive: 9-10 years old	0.78%	70%	1.97%	9 of 21
Age-Based Aggressive: 11-12 years old	0.76%	60%	1.15%	9 of 18
Age-Based Aggressive: 13-14 years old	0.75%	50%	0.56%	18 of 38
Age-Based Aggressive: 15-16 years old	0.72%	40%	0.28%	26 of 31
Age-Based Aggressive: 17-18 years old	0.68%	30%	-0.46%	13 of 31

Who are you saving for?

Get FREE access to:

Bright Directions Advisor-Guided 529 College Savings Program

Investment Options