ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S. 331 and H.R. 1219)
Overview
The United States Congress introduced the ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S. 331 and H.R. 1219) in February 2021. Once passed, this legislation will amend the Internal Revenue Code with respect to qualified ABLE programs by increasing the age of eligibility of beneficiaries of ABLE accounts from the onset of disability before age 26 to onset before age 46. Currently, only individuals who have a qualifying disability prior to age 26 are eligible to open an account in an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) plan.
NAST and its members support this change to the Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. To assist State Treasurers, ABLE program administrators, and other stakeholders in advocating for this change, NAST has created this “toolkit” for advocacy outreach to Members of Congress and the media.
Contact Your Senators and Representatives to ask them to Sponsor the ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S. 331 and H.R. 1219)
As the State Treasurer, program administrators, or other advocates, NAST encourages you to contact your entire Congressional delegation asking them to support the bill. (Please thank the member if they are already supporting it.)
Write a letter to Congress
Use this guide when drafting your letter, then follow up with an email and telephone call.
Contact your Senator or Representative
View these lists by state and office, and by House and Senate, to assist with your outreach.
Send a press release / social media
Your office may want to send a press release or post/tweet your support for the bill's passage.
Write an op-ed
Submit an op-ed to your state's largest newspaper. Send us a link once published, and we'll post it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an ABLE account?
An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings account that empowers people with disabilities to save money without losing their state and federal benefits.
Q: Why the need for ABLE accounts?
People with disabilities who receive SSI benefits may not have more than $2,000 to remain eligible for SSI. This limitation makes it difficult for many people with disabilities to live the independent lives they desire. Additionally, before ABLE accounts, families were discouraged from saving for their children with disabilities because of the potential future impact on benefits. With ABLE accounts, individuals and their families can save funds without losing SSI, Medicaid, HUD and other benefits.
Q: How do ABLE accounts impact federal benefits?
SSA – Up to $100,000 can be saved in an ABLE account without affecting SSI benefits.
• Medicaid – ABLE account savings do not impact Medicaid benefits.
• HUD and other means-tested benefits – ABLE account savings do not impact other means- tested benefits.
Q: Who is eligible for an ABLE account?
ABLE accounts are available to people with disabilities who meet all of the following requirements:
• The disability started before the age of 26;
• The disability is severe enough to qualify the individual for SSI or SSDI (Note: you do not have to be receiving benefits to open an ABLE account.);
• The eligible individual has a Social Security Number or Tax ID Number
Q: Who may open an ABLE account?
Adults with disabilities may open and manage their own ABLE account. Minors and adults who need assistance to manage their accounts can have an authorized representative open and manage the account for them. Parents of minors, legal guardians, custodians, or someone with power of attorney may manage an ABLE account on behalf of someone else. Eligible individuals may only have one ABLE account at any time, and the eligible individual with a disability is always the account owner.
Q: How much money may be contributed to an ABLE account?
Currently, up to $15,000 total from all sources can be contributed each calendar year (this amount changes whenever the federal gift tax exclusion is updated. Check with plans for future changes in the gift tax exclusion). Working account owners may save up to an additional amount equal to the total of their wages, or the poverty limit whichever is less, as long as they are not participating in a retirement plan through their job. (Check with state plans for poverty limits)
Q: Anyone can contribute to an ABLE account including the account owner, friends, family and others.
Currently, up to $15,000 total from all sources can be contributed each calendar year (this amount changes whenever the federal gift tax exclusion is updated. Check with plans for future changes in the gift tax exclusion). Working account owners may save up to an additional amount equal to the total of their wages, or the poverty limit whichever is less, as long as they are not participating in a retirement plan through their job. (Check with state plans for poverty limits)
Q: How can funds in an ABLE account be used?
ABLE accounts can be used to pay for expenses that improve the health, independence, and quality of life of the account owner, including:
• Health, prevention and wellness
• Housing and other basic living expenses
• Transportation
• Education
• Assistive technology
• Personal support services
• Employment training and support
• Financial, administrative, legal fees
• And more
Q: What are the tax advantages of an ABLE account?
Earnings on ABLE accounts grow free of federal and most states’ taxes if used for qualified expenses. Some states offer a state income tax deduction for contributions to ABLE accounts. See each state’s plan for more information.
Q: Do individuals have to open their ABLE account in their state of residence?
A person with a disability may open an ABLE account with any state program that offers nationwide enrollment. Individuals are encouraged to look at their own state’s program first for special tax advantages and compare investment options, fees and expenses.
Q: Where can an ABLE account be opened?
All ABLE plans provide online enrollment on their websites. Some ABLE plans accept paper applications, as well. Individuals may also work with a financial advisor to open an account in certain ABLE plans. To look at different state plans visit nast.org/able or ablenrc.org.
Q: What are the fees associated with an ABLE account?
Programs have annual fees, asset-based fees, or both. Fees are generally low, and, in some plans, fees are reduced or waived in certain circumstances, for example, if one maintains a certain account balance, chooses electronic statement delivery, or opens an account in one’s state’s plan. Each ABLE program describes its plan, including all fees, in a program disclosure booklet. Compare ABLE programs at ablenrc.org.
Q: What happens to an ABLE account when the account owner dies?
Funds in the ABLE account can be used to pay for remaining qualified expenses, including funeral and burial costs. If the account owner received Medicaid benefits while the ABLE account was open, Medicaid may file a claim for repayment after outstanding qualified expenses and funeral and burial costs are paid. Some states have passed laws that prohibit their state’s Medicaid agency from recovering ABLE funds in certain circumstances. Check with your state’s ABLE program and your state’s Medicaid agency for more information.
References:
• ABLE National Resource Center
• National Association of State Treasurers
• Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, ABLE FAQs
• National Down Syndrome Society
• Various state ABLE plan FAQs
Date of Publication – July 1, 2019
These FAQs are provided to give general guidance on ABLE accounts. For more information on the benefits, risks, tax and other benefits of an ABLE account please read the program description or other disclosure documents of the ABLE program you have selected to invest in.