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General Information
NextGen 529 -- Client Select Series
The Maine NextGen 529 -- Client Select Series advisor-sold 529 plan consists of age-based, static multi-fund, and individual-fund options from a number of money managers: American Century, BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, iShares, Lord Abbett, MainStay, MFS and Neuberger Berman. In addition, the Principal Plus Portfolio and NextGen Savings Portfolio are offered. For complete details, see a Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor or, for Maine residents, a participating Maine Distribution Agent. To find a financial advisor in your area, use the Directory of Financial Professionals.
Our Ratingix
4.0 of 5
Fee Scoreix
4.5 of 5
Performanceix
3 of 5
- Program typeSavings
- Inception1999
- State agencyFinance Authority of Maine (FAME)
- Tax deduction
- Program ManagerMerrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
- Program distributorMerrill Lynch
Investors in NextGen 529 -- Client Select 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin Templeton Growth Portfolio | 1.13% | 100% | 4.52% | 149 of 321 |
| Franklin Templeton Growth & Income Portfolio | 1.06% | 75% | 4.74% | 14 of 36 |
| Franklin Templeton Balanced Portfolio | 1.01% | 50% | 4.93% | 4 of 37 |
| MFS Equity Portfolio | 1.03% | 100% | 6.64% | 158 of 321 |
| MFS Fixed Income Portfolio | 0.96% | 0% | 7.49% | 52 of 102 |
| BlackRock 100% Equity Portfolio | 0.82% | 100% | 4.55% | 197 of 321 |
| BlackRock 75% Equity Portfolio | 0.86% | 75% | 5.29% | 26 of 36 |
| BlackRock Fixed Income Portfolio | 0.97% | 0% | 5.54% | 20 of 34 |
| iShares Diversified Equity Portfolio | 0.57% | 100% | 5.75% | 160 of 321 |
| iShares Diversified Fixed Income Portfolio | 0.67% | 0% | 5.51% | 18 of 34 |
| MFS Conservative Mixed Asset Portfolio | 0.86% | 20% | 5.99% | 25 of 34 |
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.
Use the form below to filter through the investment options in this plan