Gov. Evers Proclaims April as “ABLE to Save” Month in Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) today announced Gov. Tony Evers proclaimed April as “ABLE to Save” Month in Wisconsin. This month-long campaign lead by the ABLE National Resource Center aims to provide people with disabilities and their families information about the significance of Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts and how these accounts can be used to address daily needs, help achieve long-term goals and dreams, and increase overall financial well-being.

An ABLE account is a savings and investment account that allows a person whose disability began before age 26 to save money for qualified disability expenses without affecting eligibility and benefits under most federal means-tested programs such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. Earnings on the investments in an ABLE account grow tax free from state and federal taxes and are never taxed when used for qualified disability expenses, including food, housing, transportation, education, employment, medical expenses, and more. ABLE accounts can be funded through contributions from the account owner, family members, friends, employers, and other sources.

“Ensuring that every Wisconsinite has the tools, resources, and information necessary to plan for their financial futures and invest in their long-term financial goals and well-being is critical,” said Gov. Evers. “ABLE accounts empower folks with disabilities to build financial resilience and plan ahead. I was proud to sign legislation creating a Wisconsin ABLE savings program and look forward to continuing to support this new program in my budget plan to ensure every Wisconsinite can build the economic security and resilience they need and deserve.”

The federal Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 allows states to create tax-advantaged savings programs for eligible people with disabilities. On April 4, 2024, Gov. Evers signed 2023 Senate Bill 668, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 267, into law. The legislation instructs the DFI to determine how it will establish an ABLE savings program for Wisconsin – either independently or through a collaborative agreement with another state or states – by no later than August 1, 2025, with implementation to follow.

“We encourage Wisconsinites with disabilities, along with their families and supporters, to participate in “ABLE to Save” Month activities to learn how these accounts can improve long-term financial stability,” said DFI Secretary-designee Wendy K. Baumann. “Contributing to an ABLE account can empower people with disabilities to move from making short-term financial plans to making lifetime financial plans by helping them accumulate wealth, save for larger expenses, and pursue opportunities for additional income.”

In celebration of “ABLE to Save” Month, Gov. Evers and the DFI encourage the public to learn about and engage with ABLE accounts in the following ways:

Attend Free Webinars: This year’s campaign includes the following two webinars that are free and open to the public, but advanced registration is required:

• Join the Disability Employment Technical Assistance Center and the ABLE National Resource Center for the “ABLE Accounts: A Pathway to Financial Empowerment for People with Disabilities” webinar on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from 2-3:30 p.m. Central Time. This session will provide an overview of eligibility requirements, contribution limits, and how ABLE funds can be used.

• Join the National Disability Institute’s Small Business Hub and the ABLE National Resource Center for the “Empower Your Business with ABLE” webinar on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, from 1-2 p.m. Central Time. This session will explore how ABLE accounts support entrepreneurs and small business owners with disabilities, helping them maximize financial security while maintaining essential benefits.

Explore Resources: The ABLE National Resource center offers free resources to the public, including archived webinars, podcasts, videos, and newsletters, as well as frequently asked questions, and a variety of decision guides designed to help individuals and families make informed decisions about ABLE accounts.

Spread the Word: Download items from the ABLE National Resource Center’s outreach toolkit to help tell others about “ABLE to Save” Month. These items can be shared with your networks and on social media where you are encouraged to use the hashtag #ABLEtoSave.

For additional information and resources, visit the DFI’s ABLE Savings Accounts webpage.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.