Senator Bob Casey Introduces New Legislation to Expand ABLE Program

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Chair of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, has introduced a package of three new bills aimed at expanding access to the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program. The ABLE program, initially passed in 2014 with Senator Casey’s support, allows individuals with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing their eligibility for federal assistance programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

1. ABLE Awareness Act:
   • This bill mandates that federal and state agencies inform eligible individuals about the ABLE program, its benefits, and the necessary steps to open an ABLE account when they enroll in specific benefits programs. This initiative aims to increase awareness and participation among the approximately eight million Americans eligible for ABLE accounts.
2. ABLE Employment Flexibility Act:
   • This legislation allows employers to contribute to an employee’s ABLE account instead of a 401k. This change ensures that people with disabilities can receive employer contributions without affecting their eligibility for federal benefits. This provision addresses a significant barrier for disabled employees, allowing them to save for retirement like their non-disabled counterparts.
3. ABLE Direct Deposit Act:
   • This bill enables direct deposits from employers or government programs to be made into ABLE accounts, simplifying the process for beneficiaries to manage their savings and ensuring seamless integration with existing financial systems.

Despite the success of the ABLE program in helping over 170,000 individuals save an average of $11,186 each, only a small fraction of eligible Americans have opened accounts. This legislative package aims to bridge that gap by enhancing program visibility and removing existing barriers to participation.

Senator Casey’s long-term commitment to the ABLE program includes past efforts such as the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which will expand eligibility to those who acquired their disability before age 46 starting in 2026, and the ABLE Match Act, which provides a federal match for low-income participants. Additionally, the bipartisan Ensuring Nationwide Access to a Better Life Experience (ENABLE) Act seeks to make permanent several provisions that are set to expire in 2025.