This is the text outline for ABLE today’s national presentation on ABLE Accounts. The idea for providing this accessible resource was mentioned to Eric Ochmanek by an advocate / member of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) at their national conference.
ABLE today’s national presentation on ABLE Accounts
Slide 1 - Cover slide
ABLE Accounts – A Financial Tool for People with Disabilities
ABLE today’s website is abletoday.org.
Slide 2 - About ABLE today
ABLE today is part of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) campaign to promote ABLE accounts, financial empowerment, and community inclusion for people with disabilities.
ABLE today was generously provided with founding philanthropic support from Wells Fargo.
Slide 3 - Image if you could - save… invest… grow…
Save money in their own names - and more than just $2,000.
Work and accumulate wealth while protecting their eligibility for benefits.
Have other option than “spending down” their savings or income.
And move from a monthly financial plan to a lifetime financial plan.
Slide 4 - What is an ABLE account?
An ABLE account is a financial tool for people with disabilities which protects eligibility for benefits programs.
ABLE accounts are offered under Section 529A of the U.S. Tax Code.
Slide 5 - ABLE accounts by the numbers
ABLE programs are offered through government agencies.
47 States offer ABLE Programs
Additionally, the District of Columbia, and Guam offer ABLE programs.
234,000+ total accounts
$3 billion+ total assets
ABLE Data as of December 31, 2025 - Source: NAST and members of the ABLE Savings Plans Network
National ABLE data webpage: abletoday.org/national-able-data
Slide 6 - Eligibility
ABLE accounts are for individuals whose disability began before age 46.
Eligible individuals can open an ABLE account at any age.
The disability must be long-term (for more than 12 months) and must cause “marked and severe functional limitations.”
Additionally, you can be eligible for an ABLE account if a doctor has diagnosed you with a disability (physical or mental) or you are eligible to receive SSI and or SSDI due to your disability.
Note: You do not have to be on public benefits to open an ABLE account.
Slide 7 - How to open an ABLE account
Research ABLE programs via abletoday.org/analyze-able-programs.
Consider your home state’s program first for instate incentives or research ABLE programs offering nationwide enrollment.
Enrollment process includes online for many ABLE programs, paper application, or in-person.
Flexible enrollment and digital account management capabilities.
Slide 8 - Who can serve as an ABLE account Support Person
ABLE accounts are owned by the person with the disability. They can administer their own ABLE account.
An ABLE Support Person can be an individual or an organization.
ABLE Supporters can manage multiple accounts at once.
The hierarchy (order) for who can be an ABLE Support Person includes: Power of Attorney, Conservator, Guardian, Spouse, Parent, Sibling, Grandparent, and then a Social Security Representative Payee.
Slide 9 - Getting money into an ABLE account
ABLE offers a variety of options for getting money into the account including.
General banking options such as depositing money electronically or by check.
Most programs allow for payroll deductions and e-gifting.
Funds in a college 529 savings account can be rolled over into an ABLE account.
Slide 10 - How much can you contribute in 2026
ABLE accounts have annual contribution limits based on the IRS gift tax exclusion and employment status.
The ABLE account annual contribution limit is $20,000. Contributions can come from any source including directly from the ABLE account enrollee, family, friends, organizations, nonprofits, and employers.
The “ABLE to Work” annual contribution limit is $15,650. The ABLE enrollee must be employed and not be contributing to a workplace retirement account. The limit for Hawaii is $17,990; Alaska is $19,550.
Programs have maximum balance limits that can be +$500,000. Check our website for program details.
Slide 11 - Annual costs
ABLE programs have fees associated with the ABLE accounts.
Annual fees for the accounts range from $0 to $60 and asset-based fees range from approx. 0% to 0.9%.
Please visit our website to review the costs associated ABLE programs via abletoday.org/analyze-able-programs.
Slide 12 - Investment options
Most ABLE accounts offer multiple places to put your money.
You can pick one option or spread your money across multiple options.
Choose from checking and savings options that are FDIC insured or from market-based investment options such as stocks, bonds, etc.
Slide 13 - Spending ABLE funds
ABLE accounts have a broad-based spending power for qualified disability expenses. A qualified disability expense is anything that relates to the disability and helps maintain or improve health, independence, or quality of life.
Examples of categories for qualified disability expenses include: housing and rent, transportation, assistive technology, health and wellness, basic living expenses, education financial management, and legal fees.
Slide 14 - How to withdraw money from an ABLE account
Different ABLE programs have various options to withdraw funds including utilizing checkbooks, third party checks, purchasing cards such as debit cards, and bank transfer.
Slide 15 - Special benefits rules for SSI and Medicaid
If you receive SSI, balances over $100,000 start counting towards SSI resource limits.
Also, if you withdraw funds from your ABLE account to use for housing, you must spend it within the same calendar month.
You receive Medicaid, there is no balance limit that would then count towards the resource limit.
Medicaid payback still applies to ABLE accounts, just as it applies to other bank accounts - check with your state to confirm.
Slide 16 - What if I already have or am considering a special needs trust?
We think ABLE accounts should be part of the special needs planning conversation and a complement to Special Needs Trusts (SNTs).
ABLE accounts and SNTs work together
SNTs accept larger deposits than ABLE accounts
ABLE accounts can reduce administrative process to use SNT funds
Use ABLE like a debit / transactional account
Some states offer deductions or credits for ABLE contributions
Can be established, administered, and owned by an individual with a disability
Gives people with disabilities additional autonomy to save and spend their own money
Slide 17 - Next steps
Research ABLE programs via our ABLE today website abletoday.org/analyze-able-programs.
Signup for our newsletter on the home page of our website abletoday.org. Help us spread the word either by sharing information on ABLE via email, social media, and with your network.
Reach out via info@abletoday.org to partner together for a group presentation.
Slide 18 - Resources
ABLE Accounts are a game changer for financial empowerment and community inclusion. To learn more, visit our resources:
We host monthly ABLE webinars open to the public. The URL is abletoday.org/intro
Recorded presentation with ASL, voiceover, and closed captioning. The URL is abletoday.org/asl
ABLE regulations and how federal agencies interact with ABLE accounts including SSI, Medicaid, HUD, and SNAP. The URL is abletoday.org/regulations
Research and compare ABLE program details. The URL is abletoday.org/compare-able-programs
Slide 19 - Thank you!
Thank you on behalf of ABLE today, Wells Fargo, and the National Association of State Treasurers.
Visit abletoday.org for more information on ABLE accounts.