SPRINGFIELD - Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is celebrating the first-ever National ABLE Savings Day. The Treasurer’s Office’s Illinois ABLE program helps people with disabilities achieve greater financial independence through investment accounts.
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ABLE is short for Achieving a Better Life Experience, and a decade ago Congress passed a law allowing states to create programs to help individuals with disabilities save and invest their money to pay expenses that help to improve their health, independence, or quality of life, without risking their public benefits.
“ABLE is a game changer. For decades, people with disabilities were told not to save to avoid losing their public benefits,” Treasurer Frerichs said. “Now, with an ABLE account, they can put away money and invest that savings, securing greater financial independence and setting aside funds that can be used to help support a greater quality of life.”
Illinoisans with disabilities opened the first IL ABLE accounts in 2017. Today, almost 6,300 people have IL ABLE accounts with an average balance of $11,000. Among them is Etienne, whose parents are helping him save for a bright, and more financially secure, future. Funds invested in Etienne’s account can be used for a broad range of expenses, including therapy, health needs, assistive technology, recreation and more. Learn more about Etienne’s story here.
With an IL ABLE account, people with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income benefits can grow their financial assets above the $2,000 federal limit. As of June 30, about 180,000 Americans with disabilities have collectively saved more than $2 billion in their ABLE accounts.
Visit illinoisable.com to learn how an IL ABLE account can be an important financial tool for people with disabilities and their families. In addition, Treasurer Frerichs is president of the National Association of State Treasurers, an organization that is promoting seminars and providing information on programs for National ABLE Savings Day.
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