DES MOINES, IOWA (November 26, 2019) — State Treasurer Michael L Fitzgerald is celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities this December 3. "This year's motto for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities is The Future is Accessible, which fits in perfectly with our goal for the IAble savings plan. An accessible future is always our goal with IAble," Fitzgerald said. "IAble is a tax-advantaged savings plan for individuals with disabilities. However, there is so much more to it than that."
IAble, which is administered by Treasurer Fitzgerald, was created after the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) act was passed federally as a way for people with disabilities to save for disability related expenses. Prior to the IAble savings plan, individuals were limited to saving up to $2,000 before risking the loss of their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid benefits. "We know there is no limit to what people with disabilities can do, and now, that includes saving as well," stated Fitzgerald.
IAble also provides the opportunity for individuals with disabilities to live more independently by using their savings to pay for qualified expenses. This includes any expenses that are acquired as a result of living with a disability and are intended to improve quality of life. It could consist of education, health-care, assistive-technology costs, legal fees, and more. Fitzgerald adds, "It's a great way for those with disabilities and their families to overcome barriers associated with saving. It allows them the ability to build a financial future, and in turn, achieve a better life experience."
Fitzgerald implemented IAble with the goal of establishing an accessible future by creating a program that would not only benefit individuals with disabilities, but would also allow their friends and family members to help them save. IAble offers a variety of investment options ranging from aggressive to conservative and even a checking option. This is an easy way to suit every investor's needs. Additionally, Iowa taxpayers can deduct up to $3,387 in contributions from their adjusted gross income for 2019.*
For more information about IAble, please visit IAble.gov or call (888) 609-8910. Keep up with all of the treasurer's programs on Facebook and Twitter.
* If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. Adjusted annually for inflation.
