Savings Basics
Learn why saving and investing matter, how ABLE accounts grow, and how even small contributions can support future goals for individuals with severe diagnoses and disabilities.
Why Saving Matters
For individuals with a severe diagnosis or disability, saving money can be complicated.
With an ABLE United account, saving and investing is not only possible, it’s powerful. Even small contributions can lead to greater independence, flexibility, and peace of mind.
Save for what you need.
Plan for what you want.
Cover unexpected expenses
Plan for big goals
Gain financial independence
Protect your eligibility for important public benefits like SSI and Medicaid
How ABLE United Stacks Up
Feature
ABLE United
Checking/Savings Account
Special Needs Trust
Roth IRA
Tax-Free Growth
Yes
No
No
(typically taxable)
Yes
(with limits)
Protects Public Benefits
Yes
No
Yes
No
Easy Online Access
Yes
Yes
No
(often managed by trustee)
Yes
Use for Daily Expenses
Yes
Yes
Sometimes
(must follow trust rules)
No
(penalties for non-qualified use)
Investment Potential
Yes
No
Sometimes
(varies by trust setup)
Yes
Monthly Fees
No
Sometimes
(varies by bank)
Sometimes
(trustee / admin costs)
No
See How Your Savings Can Grow Over Time
Even small, regular contributions can add up—especially with the power of compounding growth.
No matter your goal, your ABLE savings account can help you get there.
Values based on regular monthly contributions, with an assumed 3% rate of return and no fees applied.
Basic Financial Terms
Asset Allocation
The combination of assets – stocks, bonds and money market funds – chosen for an investment portfolio is referred to as the total asset allocation.
Compound Growth
Money you earn on your investments earns money over time.
Contribution Limit
The total amount you can add to your ABLE account each year ($20,000 for 2026).
Diversification
An investment strategy that spreads funds among different plan types and/or asset classes.
Portfolio
A collection of financial assets, which could include a number of financial products like stocks, bonds, cash and cash equivalents, alternative investments, even life insurance, property or other assets.
Qualified Expenses
Costs related to living with a disability, like housing, food, health, and more.
More on Qualified Expenses
Risk Tolerance
The level of risk an individual investor is willing to take when investing is referred to as their risk tolerance. Risk tolerance is based on individual financial goals and the speed at which an individual prefers to grow their investment account.
Rollover
Rollover involves the transfer of funds from one investment account to another (i.e., from one state’s 529 Plan to an ABLE plan).
Special Needs Trust
A legal arrangement that holds assets for a person with a disability without jeopardizing their eligibility for essential government benefits like Medicaid and SSI, allowing them to receive supplemental care and quality-of-life goods they wouldn't otherwise qualify for.
Tax-Free Growth
You won’t pay taxes on the earnings you make in an ABLE account.
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