NEXT
General Information
NextGen 529 -- Client Direct Series
The Maine NextGen 529 -- Client Direct Series is available through Merrill Edge. The plan utilizes BlackRock (including iShares ETFs) funds in its age-based and static options. In addition, the Principal Plus Portfolio and the NextGen Savings Portfolio are available.
Our Ratingix
4.5 of 5
Fee Scoreix
5 of 5
Performanceix
3.5 of 5
- Program typeSavings
- Inception1999
- State agencyFinance Authority of Maine (FAME)
- Tax deduction
- Program ManagerMerrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
- Program distributorMerrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
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.
| Portfolio | E.R.ix | % Equity | 1YR Performance | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlackRock Age-Based 5-7 Years Portfolio | 0.53% | 70% | 14.14% | 68 of 92 |
| iShares Age-Based 5-7 Years Portfolio (ETF) | 0.2% | 70% | 13.4% | 50 of 92 |
| BlackRock Age-Based 2-4 Years Portfolio | 0.51% | 80% | 14.53% | N/A |
| BlackRock Age-Based 16 Years Portfolio | 0.55% | 30% | 11.14% | N/A |
| BlackRock Age-Based 18 Years Portfolio | 0.53% | 10% | 4.65% | N/A |
| iShares Age-Based 2-4 Years Portfolio (ETF) | 0.2% | 80% | 13.9% | N/A |
| iShares Age-Based 16 Years Portfolio (ETF) | 0.2% | 30% | 9.8% | N/A |
| iShares Age-Based 18 Years Portfolio (ETF) | 0.25% | 10% | 4.06% | N/A |
| BlackRock Age-Based 0-1 Years Portfolio | 0.5% | 90% | 14.63% | 64 of 72 |
| BlackRock Age-Based 8-11 Years Portfolio | 0.53% | 60% | 13.8% | 34 of 92 |
| BlackRock Age-Based 12-13 Years Portfolio | 0.54% | 50% | 13.25% | 59 of 120 |
| BlackRock Age-Based 14-15 Years Portfolio | 0.55% | 40% | 11.95% | 46 of 78 |
| BlackRock Age-Based 17 Years Portfolio | 0.54% | 20% | 8.22% | 55 of 122 |
| BlackRock Age-Based 19+ Years Portfolio | 0.48% | 0% | 1.86% | 53 of 80 |
| iShares Age-Based 0-1 Years Porttfolio (ETF) | 0.2% | 90% | 14.04% | 51 of 72 |
| iShares Age-Based 8-11 Years Portfolio (ETF) | 0.2% | 60% | 13.12% | 14 of 92 |
| iShares Age-Based 12-13 Years Portfolio (ETF) | 0.2% | 50% | 12.63% | 56 of 120 |
| iShares Age-Based 14-15 Years Portfolio (ETF) | 0.21% | 40.01% | 11.42% | 49 of 78 |
| iShares Age-Based 17 Years Portfolio (ETF) | 0.22% | 20.01% | 7.05% | 50 of 122 |
| iShares Age-Based 19+ Years Portfolio (ETF) | 0.27% | 0% | 1.78% | 52 of 80 |
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.
| Portfolio | E.R.ix | % Equity | 1YR Performance | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlackRock 100% Equity Portfolio | 0.49% | 100% | 14.43% | 154 of 235 |
| iShares Diversified Equity Portfolio (ETF) | 0.2% | 100% | 13.98% | 121 of 235 |
| iShares Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio (ETF) | 0.3% | 0% | 4.88% | 47 of 70 |
| BlackRock Balanced Portfolio | 0.53% | 50% | 11.94% | 18 of 52 |
| BlackRock Fixed Income Portfolio | 0.57% | 0% | 5.91% | 50 of 70 |
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.
| Portfolio | E.R.ix | % Equity | 1YR Performance | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iShares MSCI USA ESG Select Portfolio | 0.37% | 100% | 28% | N/A |
| BlackRock Equity Index Portfolio | 0.17% | 100% | 18.26% | 21 of 235 |
| Principal Plus Portfolio | 0.2% | 0% | 2.15% | 16 of 68 |
| NextGen Savings Portfolio | 0% | 0% | 0.58% | 66 of 68 |
| iShares Balanced Portfolio | 0.37% | 50% | 9.91% | 15 of 52 |
Use the form below to filter through the investment options in this plan