WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) in reintroducing the bipartisan, bicameral Ensuring Nationwide Access to Better Life Experience (ENABLE) Act. The ENABLE Act preserves the ability of people with disabilities and their families to save and invest through tax-free savings accounts while protecting eligibility to federal programs by making permanent key provisions related to Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts.
Sen. Tuberville also cosponsored the legislation last Congress.
“Every human being is created by God and has inherent dignity, including those with disabilities. After 40 years in the education sector, I have seen firsthand how important it is for teachers, parents, community members, and Congress to work together to ENABLE these people for success. This legislation provides crucial safeguards for people with disabilities to help them invest, save, and achieve independence. I appreciate Senator Schmitt’s leadership on this issue that I know is close to his heart and look forward to working with him to get this legislation across the finish line,” said Sen. Tuberville.
“I was proud to lead the introduction of the ENABLE Act in the 118th Congress, where this critical legislation passed the Senate. I entered public service to fight for people like my son Stephen. Stephen was born with a rare genetic disease, is on the autism spectrum, has epilepsy, and is non-verbal. I know firsthand how critical ABLE accounts are to individuals with disabilities and their families. ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save for their future and ease burdens on their families. It’s a common-sense solution that provides an easy fix for those who depend on ABLE Accounts, and I’m proud to have bipartisan, bicameral support for this important piece of legislation,” said Sen. Schmitt.
U.S. Senators Tuberville and Schmitt are joined by U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) in cosponsoring the legislation.
U.S. Representative Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) led the effort in the House of Representatives.
Read full text of the legislation here.
BACKGROUND:
ABLE accounts—529A accounts—allow people with disabilities and their families to save and invest through tax-free savings accounts without losing eligibility for federal programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). There are three provisions related to these accounts in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA):
- ABLE to Work: an individual with a disability who is employed can contribute an additional amount to his or her ABLE account. This additional contribution cannot be greater than either:
- the prior year’s federal poverty level for a one-person household ($15,060 in 2024), or
- the beneficiary’s yearly compensation.
- ABLE Saver’s Credit: an individual with a disability who make qualified contributions to their ABLE account can qualify for a nonrefundable saver’s credit of up to $1,000.
- 529 to ABLE rollover: an individual with a disability may rollover from a 529 education savings account to an ABLE account that are less than or equal to the annual ABLE contribution limit tax and penalty free.
The ENABLE Act would make permanent the above provisions that are set to expire.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.
###
