Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act

Autism and down syndrome advocates joined together in 2006 with a common vision for a new kind of savings tool that would meet the life needs for people with disabilities. Since then, Autism Speaks is proud to have partnered with National Down Syndrome Society in driving the creation and increased access of ABLE Accounts. 

The Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, best known as the “ABLE Act,” was signed into law on December 19, 2014, after almost a decade of advocacy. The law created a new type of savings tool for people with disabilities, allowing them to save without jeopardizing federal benefits. ABLE accounts enable people with autism and their families to save for their future needs (housing, education, transportation, medical and other disability-related expenses) without losing access to other resources. 

As of September 30, 2024, there are $2.189 billion in assets invested in 187,210 ABLE accounts nationwide. 

Creating ABLE Accounts:

The ABLE Act allows families the opportunity to set up tax-exempt 529A savings accounts, called ABLE Accounts, for disability-related expenses. This law amended the federal tax code and authorized the establishment of private tax-advantaged savings accounts that can help you save for long-term expenses without sacrificing eligibility for public benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). ABLE accounts are modeled after the current 529 education savings plans that help families save for future college costs. Once an account is established for a beneficiary, account contributions will accumulate tax deferred and any earnings will be tax-free at the federal level if the money is used for qualified expenses.

Since 2015, 49 states have enacted state ABLE laws (and technical and tax incentive legislative changes). As a result of state level advocacy, there are 46 states and the District of Columbia currently offering ABLE Programs. Individuals in all 50 states have the ability to open an account.

ABLE Timeline:

  • December 19, 2014 - The ABLE Act is signed into law.
  • 2015 - The PATH Amendments removes the state residency requirement for ABLE accounts, allowing individuals with disabilities to open an account in any state (except Florida).
  • 2016 - Ohio launches the first state ABLE program, and the first ABLE account is opened.
  • 2017 - New legislation expands access and ABLE policy. 
    • ABLE to Work Act allows an ABLE Account holder to contribute an amount equal to their current year’s gross income (up to $12,990 in 2022) in addition to the annual standard contribution limit of $16,000 (a total of $28,990 per year) in 2017
    • ABLE Financial Planning Act allows families to roll over funds from a 529 plan to another family member's ABLE account.
  • December 2022 - The ABLE Age Adjustment Act expanded access to ABLE accounts by raising the age threshold for onset of a disability needed for accessing a tax-favored ABLE account from 26 to 46 years old. This change allows more adults with disabilities to open ABLE accounts to save for long-term care without losing federal benefits.
  • 2024 - The ENABLE Act is introduced to permanently extend 3 ABLE policies: ABLE to Work, ABLE Saver's Credit, and 529 to ABLE rollover.

State ABLE Programs

Each state is responsible for establishing and operating an ABLE program. For information on your states' ABLE program, click on the map below.

Map of Unites States with states labelled in blue and green according to if an ABLE bill is signed and an ABLE program is open.

For more information on ABLE and our advocacy efforts, check out: