Catalis and Creative Planning relaunch Mississippi 529 plan

Catalis and Creative Planning have modernized the Mississippi Affordable College Savings Plan with new investment options, lower fees and digital payment tools. The update is aimed at giving Mississippi families a simpler and more flexible way to save and pay for education.

Why it matters: - The overhaul targets Mississippi 529 savers who want lower costs, more investment choice and easier ways to contribute. - The changes also bring newer digital payment tools into the 529 account experience, which can make the plan easier to use for families and friends.

What happened: - Catalis and Creative Planning announced a modernization and relaunch of the Mississippi Affordable College Savings Plan on August 11, 2026. - Creative Planning is now the plan’s new investment manager. - The partnership combines Catalis’ savings platform with Creative Planning’s open-architecture investment approach.

The details: - The modernized MACS Plan includes enrollment year portfolios that automatically adjust over time. - The plan also adds simplified risk-based portfolios for account owners who want a more streamlined choice. - MACS account owners will see a 20% fee reduction from the current structure. - An enhanced planning tool is designed to help customers choose investments during enrollment. - Catalis said it sought an investment partner with open investment architecture and access to top national investment firms. - Creative Planning CEO Peter Mallouk said the firm’s approach is intended to deliver a more modern experience and greater value for families. - Catalis said the modernization effort brings payment innovation into the 529 account experience through a single login. - The new payment features include digital wallet gifting through PayPal and Venmo, including cryptocurrency. - The platform also includes Visa and Mastercard prepaid cards for textbooks and other qualified education expenses.

Between the lines: - The relaunch appears aimed at making the 529 market feel more like a modern consumer finance product, with simpler choices and digital contribution tools. - Lower fees can matter as much as portfolio design for long-term education savers, especially for households making regular contributions. - The open-architecture pitch suggests Catalis and Creative Planning want broader investment flexibility than many legacy plan menus offer.

What's next: - Mississippi families will begin using the updated MACS structure as the modernization rolls out. - Catalis said the broader effort is meant to support long-term savings success through value, choice and digital access. - More plan updates may follow as Catalis continues to push payment and account-management tools into its 529 offerings.

The bottom line: - The MACS relaunch is a bid to make Mississippi’s 529 plan cheaper, easier and more flexible at a time when education savers expect more from digital financial products.