The leading voice for excellence in public finance
The leading voice for excellence in public finance

About the National Association of State Treasurers

ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience)

Empowering people with disabilities and their families to save for the future, while protecting eligibility for public benefits

The Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act) became law on December 19, 2014. The ABLE Act creates a new option for some people with disabilities and their families to save for the future, while protecting eligibility for public benefits.

ABLE plans can change the way individuals with disabilities and their families participate in the community, build financial wellness and plan for the future by empowering them to save and invest for the added expenses that come with having a disability without losing access to federal means-tested benefits.

ABLE accounts foster person-centered independence, build self-reliance, encourage employment and improve quality of life. Contributions to ABLE accounts can come from earnings, family, friends and other sources. Earnings on ABLE accounts are tax-deferred, and withdrawals are tax-free as long as they are used for qualified disability-related expenses. 

States and D.C. have launched ABLE programs
0
ABLE accounts opened nationwide
0
Average savings in ABLE accounts
$ 0
Invested in ABLE accounts nationally
$ 0 billion

Data current as of June 30, 2023.

Introducing

ABLE today, launched by the National Association of State Treasurers Foundation (NAST Foundation) in 2022, is a national awareness and educational initiative aimed at advancing financial empowerment and community inclusion for people with disabilities through ABLE accounts. ABLE today supports a collaborative, national effort for expanding outreach for ABLE Programs to the disability community and establishing partnerships to promote the positive impacts of ABLE accounts. For more ABLE information or to partner with ABLE today, please visit www.abletoday.org or contact the ABLE today team at info@abletoday.org

Click on your state below to learn more about the ABLE plan your state offers

Green - Open to residents of all states

Gold - Open to state residents only

If your state does not currently offer an ABLE Plan (shown in BLUE on the map), you can participate in any of the plans that are open to residents of any state.

“Having an ABLE account now means financial security. I just put a down payment on an accessible vehicle with the money I saved in my ABLE account. I don’t know what I would do without ABLE.”

— Wendy Settles, Illinois, Young adult professional with Cerebral Palsy

ABLE in the News

ABLE Accounts For Disabled Have Many Advantages And Should Be Better Known – May 15, 2022

ABLE Accounts Give Disabled More Financial Freedom – April 27, 2022

What is an ABLE account? It’s a savings account for people with disabilities – October 27, 2021

Revisiting the ABLE Act – October 26, 2021

Congress can help Americans living with disabilities by passing the ABLE Age Adjustment Act – April 20, 2021 – OPED by NAST ABLE Committee Chairs

Disabled Americans may want to save their stimulus money in an ABLE account – March 10, 2021

These under-appreciated accounts similar to 529 plans can be useful tax-smart savings tools – October 22, 2020

Rep. McMorris Rodgers on the ABLE Act: ‘It’s Personal’ – October 20, 2020

Saving in Times of Crisis: How People with Disabilities Can Increase Financial Stability – August 19, 2020 – OPED by NAST ABLE Committee Chair and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma

How to support employees with disabilities during COVID-19 – August 2020

Can a disabled person have savings and qualify for Medicaid? – August 3, 2020

What Is an ABLE Account? – August 1, 2020

Special needs families face increased financial pressure in Covid-19 crisis. This can help – July 31, 2020

Celebrate the ADA’s 30th Anniversary by Passing the ABLE Age Adjustment Act – July 27, 2020

Help more vets, others save for medical expenses – July 21, 2020

The pandemic made everything harder: Financial strategies for people with disabilities and special needs – July 9, 2020

An Introduction to ABLE Accounts – March 23, 2020

ABLE assists disbabled: New state program helps residents without risking federal benefits – March 13, 2020

IAble wants more – Editorial celebrating 3rd Anniversary of IAble – February 27, 2020

Everything You Need to Know About ABLE Accounts – February 19, 2020

Celebrating and expanding upon five years of the ABLE  Act – February 9, 2020 

Five Practical Uses for an ABLE Account – January 24, 2020

How to build support system for adult children with disabilities – January 9, 2020

ABLE accounts let the disabled plan, dream and save big—without risking essential federal benefits – January 7, 2020 

People with disabilities can now set some financial goals thanks to this game-changer – December 15, 2019

529 ABLE Accounts: Helping End Forced Poverty For Disabled Individuals – November 12, 2019

How to Plan for Retirement and Special-Needs Care – October 19, 2019

Recent Changes to ABLE Accounts and Why Your Client Might Want One – September 23, 2019

Top Ways to Plan for Your Special Needs Child’s Future – August 2019

There’s a game-changing way for people with disabilities to save – August 24, 2019

Treasurer Davis Celebrates One Year Anniversary of Delaware ABLE Plan, Releases Video – June 25, 2019

Expanding the ABLE Act will help those who need it most – March 29, 2019

It’s Disability Employment Awareness Month: ABLE to Work helps Americans with disabilities – October 25, 2018

Sen. Burr and Sen. Casey ABLE Op-Ed – August 11, 2018