ABLE Accounts: Resources and Developments, Including a Special Opportunity for Mainers 3 of 3 Articles

The ABLE account was passed by Congress in December of 2014, and it has evolved through changes in the law and the adoption of regulations expanding the understanding of, and uses for, ABLE accounts.

One recent piece of legislation increased the attraction of ABLE accounts for individuals who live in Maine. The federal ABLE legislation passed in 2014, provides that a state’s Medicaid program may claim reimbursement for medical assistance provided since the ABLE account was opened. Most states seek that reimbursement. But Maine is one of a handful of states which do not require payback. In June of 2019, Governor Janet Mills signed LD 1637 which provides:

  • ABLE balances are exempt for all means-tested benefit programs in Maine;
  • Earnings remain state tax-free following distribution; and
  • Balances are exempt from payback to the State of Maine.

This avoidance of payback will apply even if the individual is the beneficiary of an ABLE account in another state.

Other updates and improvements to ABLE accounts were ushered in under the so-called Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017.

  • In most cases, the annual contributions from all sources to a designated beneficiary’s ABLE account are capped at $18,000 in 2024. The ABLE to Work provision of the TCJA allows a beneficiary who works to also contribute part (or possibly all) earned income to their ABLE account.
  • This additional contribution is limited to the poverty level amount for a one-person household. For 2024, this amount is $14,580. (This additional contribution may not be made if the employer contributes to a workplace retirement plan on the employee’s behalf.)
  • In addition, starting in 2018, ABLE account beneficiaries can qualify for the Saver’s Credit based on contributions they make to their ABLE accounts. Up to $2,000 of these contributions qualify for this special credit designed to help low- and moderate-income workers. Claimed on Form 8880, Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions, this credit can reduce the amount of tax a person owes or increase their refund.
  • Families who had set up a 529 account for a child with a disability who will not attend college are allowed to “rollover” up tothe annual contribution limit ($18,000 in 2024) from a 529 account to an ABLE account for that child.
  • In addition, the TCJA allows rollovers from a 529 account that was set up for the benefit of certain family members of an individual with a disability to an ABLE account for the individual. Any rollover must be accomplished within 60 days. The rollover is counted as part of the $18,000 per year ABLE contribution, and any extra amount rolled over would be treated as income to the ABLE beneficiary.

For more information about the current state ABLE accounts, consider these resources:

  • Remember that the ABLE accounts spring from the Internal Revenue Code, specifically 26 U.S.C. § 529A.
  • The IRS issued its final regulations for 529A Qualified ABLE Programs on November 19, 2020.
  • The Social Security Administration’s ABLE regulations effective March 13, 2020, in can be found in the Program Operations Manual System (POMS) at SI 01130.740.
  • In April of 2018, the SSA issued POMS SI 01120.201 regarding trusts. At SI 011201.I.c and h the POMS makes it clear that funds transferred from a special needs trust to an ABLE account established by the trust beneficiary, or by an individual with signing authority, are not income to the trust beneficiary.

The ABLE Adjustment Act will allow individuals with a disability onset of prior to age 46 to open ABLE accounts. While the bill has been signed into law, it will not go into effect until the 2026 tax year.

Last updated: 6/10/24