MFS Investment Management has won a mandate to sponsor a 529 college savings plan in the state of Oregon, according to John Reilly, a spokesman for MFS. The firm and the state have yet to finalize and sign a contract, but barring anything unforeseen, one should be signed by early July, Reilly said.
As with all of MFS' investment products, the new 529 plan will be sold exclusively through intermediaries, Reilly said. Oregon already has a direct-sold plan sponsored by Strong Capital Management. While MFS provides investment products to several 529 plans, this would be the first for which it is program manager.
Also, the state of California will issue a request for proposal (RFP) in the next three to six weeks for a 529 plan sponsor to create and manage an intermediary-sold 529 plan, according to sources. TIAA-CREF serves as the program manager for California's direct-sold 529 plan.
