February 13, 2017

PA Treasurer Torsella Praises the Impact of Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act on PA Residents During National Association of State Treasurers’ Meeting

Members of Congress and Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities Gather in Nation’s Capital to Promote Program Benefitting Children, Adults with Disabilities or Blindness

Harrisburg, PA –State treasurers from six states today joined with members of Congress, members of the National Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Alliance and advocacy groups to discuss the groundbreaking multi-state partnership that will help individuals with a disability or blindness save for a better future without jeopardizing their federal benefits.

The National ABLE Alliance is the country’s largest multi-state agreement for these specially designed tools that allow for tax-free investment growth when proceeds are spent on qualifying disability-related expenses.

Pennsylvania Treasurer Joe Torsella issued the following statement today:

“Pennsylvania is pleased to be a part of this groundbreaking partnership.

The ABLE Act is about hope, of opening doors and removing fear for individuals with disabilities and the families who care for those loved ones.

ABLE clearly illuminates a path of promise for thousands of individuals by giving them the ability to plan and save for their futures -- and by removing the fear for their families about what will happen if they are no longer there to take care of their child or family member.

With this peace of mind comes the power for our families and their disabled loved ones to use the tools they need to build a sound fiscal future. ABLE accounts mean they can work and earn money, achieve independence and dream about new opportunities. There are as many as 800,000 people who could be eligible for an ABLE account in Pennsylvania.

I commend Pennsylvania Governor Wolf, Senator Lisa Baker of Luzerne County and all the members of the PA General Assembly for their work in making ABLE a reality in Pennsylvania.

We’re grateful for the promise ABLE unlocks for Pennsylvania families and are proud that our own Senator, Bob Casey, made this promise available to families in every state in the nation in leading the fight to pass the federal ABLE Act in Congress in 2014.

Note: Find more information on Pennsylvania’s ABLE program here: http://www.paable.gov/

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