Achieving a Better Life Experience Act – first look

President Barack Obama recently signed the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act). The ABLE Act allows individuals and families to open tax-free savings accounts to save for long-term needs associated with an individual’s disability.

These accounts are modeled after 529 college savings accounts. To qualify, a person must be diagnosed with a disability resulting in “marked and severe functional limitations” by the age of 26. An account can be established for an individual without jeopardizing that person’s eligibility for federal programs such as Medicaid. The funds saved in these accounts can be used for a variety of expenses including transportation, housing, employment support and health care.

Like 529 plans, earnings in these accounts grow tax-free, but contributions are made with after-tax dollars. Accounts can be set up at financial institutions and the annual contribution limit is $14,000. ABLE accounts are allowed to accrue up to $100,000 in savings without affecting a person’s eligibility for government aid such as Social Security. This is a great improvement for ABLE account holders over the current asset limit of $2,000. Medicaid coverage would continue no matter how much money is in the accounts.

These accounts can be a useful planning tool for those living with or caring for someone with a physical or developmental disability.