Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 allows states to create tax-advantaged savings programs for eligible people with disabilities (designated beneficiaries). Funds from these 529A ABLE accounts can help designated beneficiaries pay for qualified disability expenses. Distributions are tax-free if used for qualified disability expenses.

As quoted by www.Ablenow.com:

“For too long, people with disabilities could not save for the future out of fear of losing their benefits.

Millions of Americans with disabilities depend on a wide variety of public benefits for income, health care, food, and housing. Many of these benefits require meeting a means or resource test that limits the eligibility of individuals who report more than $2,000 in assets.

The ABLE Act Offers More Possibilities

• The federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act authorized states to establish tax-advantaged savings programs so individuals with disabilities can save and invest money without jeopardizing eligibility for public benefits.
• Contribute up to $16,000 each year. Save additional earned income thanks to the ABLE to Work Act.
• Leverage tax advantages to help make the most of your money.
  Save while maintaining eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
• Pay for a variety of expenses related to maintaining health, independence and quality of life.

ABLEnow: A Leading ABLE Program

More independence, greater financial security and a better quality of life – that’s the future ABLEnow is building. ABLEnow is the perfect choice for self-savers or those saving for a loved one’s future.

What is the ABLE Act?

Signed into law in December 2014, the Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act authorized states to establish tax-advantaged savings programs for individuals with disabilities.

In 2015, Virginia became the first state to approve and pass ABLE legislation after passage of the federal ABLE Act. This was particularly poignant because the idea for the ABLE Act was originally conceived by a group of Virginia parents. The Virginia ABLE bill directed Virginia529 to develop, implement and administer a new savings program for eligible individuals with disabilities and their families.

What is 529A?

The ABLE Act created Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code. This is the federal legal framework that establishes the specific rules and requirements of an ABLE account.
What is an ABLE account?
ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts for eligible individuals with disabilities.

Why the need for an ABLE account?

Millions of individuals with disabilities and their families depend on a wide variety of public benefits for income, health care, food and housing assistance. Many of these benefits require meeting a means or resource test that limits the eligibility of individuals who report more than $2,000 in cash savings, retirement funds and other items of significant value.

For the first time in public policy, the ABLE Act recognizes the extra and significant costs of living with a disability. ABLE accounts allow Eligible Individuals the opportunity to save and fund a variety of Qualified Disability Expenses without endangering eligibility for certain benefits that are critical to their health and well-being, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).”