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NextGen 529 -- Client Direct Series logo

NextGen 529 -- Client Direct Series

The Maine NextGen 529 -- Client Direct Series is available through Merrill Edge. The plan utilizes BlackRock (including iShares) funds in its age-based and static options. In addition, the Principal Plus Portfolio and the NextGen Savings Portfolio are available.

Our Ratingx

4.5 of 5

Fee Scorex

4.5 of 5

Performancex

4.5 of 5

  • Program typeSavings
  • Inception1999
  • State agency
    Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)
  • Tax deduction
    Tax deduction for single filers None
    Tax deduction for joint filers None
  • Program Manager
    Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
  • Program distributor
    Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
  • Manager contract termUNLOCK PRO
Plan Details
Investment Options

Investors in NextGen 529 -- Client Direct Series can select from the following investment options. Click on a portfolio name for more information.

Use the form below to filter through the investment options in this plan

Child age


Max Expense Ratio:2.5%

Age Based Investment Options

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.

PortfolioE.R% Equity1YR PerformanceRank
BlackRock Age-Based 4-7 Years Portfolio0.54%70%N/AN/A
iShares Age-Based 4-7 Years Portfolio (ETF)0.27%70%N/AN/A
BlackRock Age-Based 0-3 Years Portfolio (formerly 0-7 Years)0.53%80%9.07%7 of 63
BlackRock Age-Based 8-10 Years Portfolio0.58%60%6.87%38 of 65
BlackRock Age-Based 11-13 Years Portfolio0.59%45%5.5%26 of 100
BlackRock Age-Based 14-16 Years Portfolio0.59%30%3.92%2 of 62
BlackRock Age-Based 17-19 Years Portfolio0.59%20%3.03%6 of 83
BlackRock Age-Based 20+ Years Portfolio0.63%5%1.71%6 of 81
iShares Age-Based 0-3 Years Porttfolio (ETF) (formerly 0-7 Years)0.27%80%8.24%25 of 63
iShares Age-Based 8-10 Years Portfolio (ETF)0.27%60%6.23%53 of 65
iShares Age-Based 11-13 Years Portfolio (ETF)0.25%45%4.9%52 of 100
iShares Age-Based 14-16 Years Portfolio (ETF)0.27%30%3.35%13 of 62
iShares Age-Based 17-19 Years Portfolio (ETF)0.3%20%2.4%42 of 83
iShares Age-Based 20+ Years Portfolio (ETF)0.34%5%1.40%14 of 81

Static Investment Options

This refers to an investment option that is not programmed to change over time. The individual fund portfolio and multi-fund portfolio described below are static options. So are many portfolios that do not use mutual funds, such as stable-value options, guaranteed options, CD options, etc.

PortfolioE.R% Equity1YR PerformanceRank
BlackRock 100% Equity Portfolio0.48%100%10.94%125 of 228
iShares Diversified Equity Portfolio (ETF)0.27%100%10.26%154 of 228
iShares Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio (ETF)0.38%0%-0.33%65 of 68
BlackRock Balanced Portfolio0.54%50%6.49%20 of 52
BlackRock Fixed Income Portfolio0.59%0%0.64%30 of 68

Individual Investment Options

Sometimes called a single-fund option, this is a portfolio invested in a single mutual fund. Often the name of the 529 portfolio is very similar to the name of the underlying mutual fund. A large number of broker-sold 529s offer an extensive line-up of individual fund options, while a smaller number of direct-sold 529s offer them.

PortfolioE.R% Equity1YR PerformanceRank
BlackRock Equity Index Portfolio0.18%100%17.72%69 of 228
iShares Balanced Portfolio0.45%50%3.07%51 of 52

Use the form below to filter through the investment options in this plan

Child age


Max Expense Ratio:2.5%