megaphone image
The FAFSA opens on December 1st

Review our steps to make sure you’re ready

Jump to Announcement Dismiss

Search Site

Suggestions

Planning
Direct Admissions Explained
3-min read
Saving
MEFA’s U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan Earns a Morningstar Rating of Gold
3-min read
Planning
7 Suggestions for College Application Essay Topics
3-min read
Paying
Scholarships with December Deadlines
3-min read
Paying
Scholarships with November Deadlines
3-min read
Paying
Questions Parents Asked about the CSS Profile
5-min read
Savings Prodcut Page Attainable

Attainable® Savings Plan

Individuals with disabilities can save in a tax-advantaged account without affecting federal benefits.

Young woman smiling

What is the Attainable® Saving’s Plan?

Attainable® is the official ABLE Savings Plan of Massachusetts, sponsored by MEFA and managed by Fidelity Investments.

Multiple Options

Various investment options professionally managed by Fidelity Investments

Range of Expenses

Funds may be used for a wide array of qualified disability expenses

Protects Federal Benefits

May be used without affecting other disability-related benefits, such as SSI (up to accounts of $100,000)

Tax-Deferred Growth

Contributions grow tax free, with tax-free withdrawals on qualified expenses

Attainable®

Attainable® Savings Plan Overview

Man with cane

How Attainable® Works

Learn the basics of opening and using an Attainable® account.

Account Limits

There is no minimum needed to open an Attainble® account. Funds may be added at any time, up to an annual limit of $18,000. Attainable® beneficiaries who work and earn income may contribute $14,580 over the annual limit of $18,000 into their ABLE account, due to the ABLE to Work legislation. An account balance can grow without limit, but no additional contributions can be made that cause the balance to exceed $500,000.

Account Spending

Attainable® funds may be spent on any qualified disability expense.

Account Earnings

Earnings in an Attainable® account are federally tax-exempt and qualified distributions are not federally taxed.

Eligible individuals are those entitled to benefits based on blindness or disability under title II or XVI of the Social Security Act, and such blindness or disability must have occurred before the date on which the individual turned age 26. The Attainable® Savings Plan does not require submission of documentation regarding the disability, but the IRS or Social Security Administration reserves the right to request this documentation and thus eligible individuals must retain proof in their personal records. Individuals saving in an Attainable® account will be required to certify and attest on the Attainable® account application that they meet and comply with the eligibility requirements as set forth under IRC Section 529A, including the annual re-certification requirements. Each beneficiary may have only one Attainable® Savings Plan account, and the account owner must be the beneficiary. If the account owner is a minor child or incapable of managing the account, a person with signature authority (PSA) can open and manage the account. The PSA has full control over the account and must be the beneficiary’s parent, legal guardian, or agent acting under the Power of Attorney (POA).

It’s easy to open an Attainable® Savings Plan account. To get started, visit the Fidelity Investments website. Open an Account

ABLE National Resource Center

The ABLE National Resource Center is managed by the National Disability Institute and is a resource for ABLE education. The site offers frequent webinars, overall basic information on ABLE accounts, and a state program comparison tool.

SSA Program Operations Manual System (POMS) for ABLE

The Social Security Administration has substantial information on ABLE accounts and how they relate to Social Security.

Project Impact

Project Impact through the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission offers benefits counseling for those employed or looking for a job who receive SSI or SSDI. This service is offered in Essex, Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth and Suffolk counties. Project Impact has three designated student benefits counselors who work throughout the entire state with students up to age twenty-two.

Work Without Limits Benefits Counseling

If you live in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex or Worcester Counties, you may contact the UMass Medical School’s Work Without Limits Benefits Counseling to receive help understanding how your wages may affect your benefits.

The Arc

The Arc is a nationwide disability organization that serves those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There are local chapters located throughout the Commonwealth.

The Arc of Massachusetts

The Arc of Massachusetts raises awareness for programs and legislation in Massachusetts for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC)

The MA Down Syndrome Congress offers information, networking opportunities, and events for the Down Syndrome community.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Massachusetts

The Massachusetts chapter of NAMI offers education and support groups for both individuals and families with mental health conditions.

Massachusetts Office on Disability

The MA Office on Disability advocates to advance the legal rights, accommodations, and accessibility for those with disabilities across all aspects of life.

IRS Publication 907

IRS Publication 907 is published annually by the IRS and is specifically for individuals with disabilities filing tax returns.

Qualified Disability Expenses

Funds in an Attainable® account can be used for any qualified disability expense.

Health
Housing
Education
Transportation
Assistive Technology and Related Services
Employment Training and Support
Personal Support Services
Basic Living Expenses

Get Updates on Attainable®

Sign up to receive email updates about the Attainable® Savings Plan.

Relevant
Timely
Informative

ABLE Account FAQs

An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings account for individuals with disabilities. ABLE accounts were created as a result of the passage of the Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014, better known as the ABLE Act.

Annual aggregate contributions to an account cannot exceed the federal gift tax limit ($18,000 as of 2024), unless the beneficiary is working. The ABLE to Work legislation specifies that ABLE account beneficiaries who work and earn income may now contribute over the annual limit of $18,000 into their ABLE account. The additional permissible contribution amount equals the lesser of the individual’s gross income or the amount equal to the federal poverty line set for one person, currently $14,580. This additional contribution over $18,000 is only permitted if the beneficiary is not participating in his or her employer’s work retirement plan.

An account balance can grow without limit, but no additional contributions can be made that cause the balance to exceed $500,000.

Yes, there is no prohibition against an individual being the owner or beneficiary of an ABLE account and the owner or beneficiary of a 529 college savings account simultaneously. Also, 529 account funds can be rolled into an ABLE account without incurring any tax or penalty. The funds rolled over from the 529 plan are subject to the annual contribution limit of $18,000 into an ABLE account. The rollover may originate from any state’s 529 plan.

No, contributions to an ABLE account are not tax-deductible, but earnings in the account are federally tax exempt when used for qualified expenses.

Request an Attainable® Event

Interested in hosting an event with your organization about the Attainable® Savings Plan? Complete our online request form and we’ll be in touch to discuss the logistics.

Expert guidance
Tailored presentations
Virtual or in-person