An Achieving a Better Life Experience (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 like Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. On January 1, 2026, the age of ABLE eligibility will be expanded to include people who have a disability that began before age 46 thanks to the passage of the federal ABLE Age Adjustment Act. ABLE plans are administered by states under Section 529A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax code.
Wisconsin ABLE Program
While Wisconsin has not yet established an ABLE program for Wisconsin residents with disabilities, 2023 Wisconsin Act 267 authorizes such a program and directs the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) to first study the programs offered by other states and determine by August 1, 2025, the best option for implementing one in Wisconsin – either independently or through a collaborative agreement with another state or states. The DFI has now completed that review and concluded, consistent with its 
2022 report and recommendations on establishing an ABLE program for Wisconsin residents, that the recommendation to establish an ABLE program through a collaborative agreement with another state or states remains the most viable option for Wisconsin.
For the reasons noted in the DFI’s report and its fiscal estimates for the Assembly and Senate bills that resulted in Act 267, a departmental position dedicated to the ABLE program is needed for program implementation, development, and oversight. The DFI will continue its efforts to obtain legislative authorization for the creation of such a position, and it will update this page with any further developments on the establishment of a Wisconsin ABLE program.
In the meantime, please note that Wisconsin permits ABLE accounts to be established in any state, not just in the state of residence of the individual with a disability. Wisconsin residents with disabilities may establish an ABLE account with any state’s program that accepts nonresidents. A person may only have one ABLE account, but they are allowed to change ABLE plans if desired. A rollover from one ABLE account to another qualified ABLE account for the same beneficiary (person with the disability) can only occur once every 12 months.
ABLE Account Resources
The resources below provide independent information and guidance on ABLE accounts, tools to help individuals select a plan, and information on federal and state tax benefits available to those saving with an ABLE account.
ABLE National Resource Center
Founded and managed by the National Disability Institute since 2015, the ABLE National Resource Center shares reliable information about ABLE plans, including plan comparisons tools, best practices, and strategies to increase savings for now and into the future.
ABLE Today
Led by the National Association of State Treasurers, ABLE Today supports national outreach on behalf of all state ABLE programs and provides resources to the public on the benefits of ABLE accounts, including information for employers.
IRS Publication 907
Publication 907 (last updated in 2023) gives a brief introduction to certain parts of the tax law of particular interest to people with disabilities and those who care for them.
Social Security Administration’s Program Operations Manual System
The Social Security Administration’s Program Operations Manual System provides Social Security Administration policy information on ABLE accounts (income, resources, distributions, and verifications) to professionals.
Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s ABLE Accounts Webpage
For state-related information on ABLE accounts, including tax information and forms, visit the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s ABLE Accounts webpage.
Contact Us
Phone: (608) 264-7800
Email: DFISecretary@dfi.wisconsin.gov