Treasurer Sprague Recognizes Tenth Anniversary of STABLE Account Program

Treasurer Sprague Recognizes Tenth Anniversary of STABLE Account Program

COLUMBUS - This month marks ten years of STABLE Account, a tax-advantaged savings account for people with disabilities or qualified medical conditions. Ohio's STABLE Account program has steadily gained popularity under Treasurer Sprague's leadership, with overall participation growing from fewer than 10,000 accounts in January 2019 to more than 58,000 active accounts today.<_o3a_p>

The STABLE Account program was launched in June 2016 following passage of the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. Prior to STABLE accounts, people with disabilities or qualified medical conditions could only save a total of $2,000 before losing means-tested benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Earnings on a STABLE account grow tax-free and are not subject to federal income tax, so long as they are spent on qualified expenses. Qualified expenses include education, housing, transportation, healthcare, assistive technology, basic living expenses, and other items. <_o3a_p>

"For a decade, STABLE Account has been providing a pathway for Ohioans with disabilities to save, invest, and spend their money on the things that matter to them," said Treasurer Sprague. "I'm incredibly proud of the growth of the program over the years as well as the recent eligibility expansion empowering even more people to take control of their financial future."<_o3a_p>

As of January 1, 2026, the federal ABLE Age Adjustment Act has extended eligibility for ABLE accounts by raising the age of disability onset from 26 to 46. This impactful change has already allowed thousands more individuals to save and invest without affecting federal benefits. This includes adults who developed disabilities later in life, veterans with service-connected disabilities, and guardians or Authorized Legal Representatives supporting adults with disabilities.<_o3a_p>

In 2024, Treasurer Sprague announced the launch of the STABLE Account Enrollment Incentive to encourage more eligible Ohioans to open an account. Through the incentive, STABLE Account matches the first $25 that an eligible individual contributes when opening a new account. Now offered nationwide, this matched contribution provides new accountholders with an instantaneous boost toward growing their money and beginning their investment journey. Accountholders can save up to $20,000 annually without losing federal assistance, and they can save an additional $15,060 each year if they're employed.<_o3a_p>

Through STABLE Account, Ohioans with disabilities can enjoy a higher quality of life and build a strong financial future. Signing up for a STABLE account takes about 20 minutes and can be done online from home. For more information about STABLE accounts and to sign up, visit https://www.stableaccount.com.<_o3a_p>

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