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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>More People Are Now Eligible for ABLE Accounts. Here’s Why That Matters<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>CNBC reported on January 1, 2026 that <b>millions more Americans are now eligible to open and contribute to ABLE accounts</b>, a major expansion that could significantly impact people with disabilities — including people who are blind or have low vision.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>ABLE accounts, short for <i>Achieving a Better Life Experience</i> accounts, are <b>tax-advantaged savings and investment accounts</b> designed to help people with disabilities build financial security without putting vital benefits at risk.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>What Changed on January 1, 2026<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>According to CNBC, eligibility for ABLE accounts expanded at the start of 2026 due to a change in federal law.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Previously, a qualifying disability had to begin <b>before age 26</b>.<br>Now, that age limit has increased to <b>before age 46</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As a result, an estimated <b>6 million additional Americans</b> are now eligible to open ABLE accounts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This change is especially important for people whose <b>blindness or low vision existed from birth or early life but did not fully manifest until later</b>, including many genetic conditions. Even if blindness occurred later, you may still qualify <b>as long as the underlying condition began before age 46</b>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Why ABLE Accounts Matter for People Who Are Blind or Low Vision<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>ABLE accounts are a powerful wealth-building tool because they allow people to save and invest money <b>without losing access to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid</b>, up to certain limits.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For people with blindness or low vision, ABLE accounts can help pay for:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Housing and rent<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Education and training<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Assistive technology<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Health care and transportation<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'>Other qualified disability-related expenses<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>Money in an ABLE account can grow <b>tax-free</b>, and qualified withdrawals are not taxed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Account holders can have <b>up to $100,000 in an ABLE account</b> without affecting SSI eligibility — far more than the $2,000 limit applied to traditional savings accounts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Who Can Open an ABLE Account<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>As CNBC explains, ABLE accounts are available to individuals who:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'>Are eligible for SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance, <b>or</b><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'>Can self-certify a qualifying medical condition that began before age 46<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>Blindness, as defined by the Social Security Administration, is a qualifying condition. A written diagnosis from a licensed physician is required for self-certification, but proof is not submitted when opening the account.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Contribution Limits for 2026<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>In 2026:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Total annual contributions can reach <b>$20,000</b><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'>Some working beneficiaries may contribute additional amounts based on earnings<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>Family members, employers, and others can also contribute to an ABLE account, as long as annual limits are not exceeded.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Choosing an ABLE Account<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Nearly every state offers an ABLE program, and many allow out-of-state residents to enroll. CNBC notes that it can be helpful to:<o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'>Start by reviewing your home state’s ABLE plan<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'>Compare fees, investment options, and available features<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'>Check whether your state offers tax deductions for contributions<o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal>Some plans also offer optional debit cards, which can make it easier to pay for qualified expenses.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>A Powerful but Underused Tool<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Despite their benefits, ABLE accounts remain underused. Many people simply don’t realize they qualify — especially those whose disability developed gradually or became more significant later in life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Penny Forward believes this expansion is an important opportunity for people with blindness and low vision to <b>build savings, invest for the future, and increase financial independence</b> while protecting essential benefits.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Read in CNBC: <a href="https://apple.news/Ab2E81I5dTh2eqGossGuIlw" target="_blank"><b>https://apple.news/Ab2E81I5dTh2eqGossGuIlw</b></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>What’s Next?<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal>Did you find this information helpful? Subscribe to our newsletter and receive a free copy of our “Seven Steps to Financial Fitness” guide. It’s a great resource, filled with tips written by and for blind people on the path to financial wellness. Plus, you’ll be the first to hear about upcoming free events and content that might interest you. Connect with us today and take your next step toward financial empowerment!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.pennyforward.com/connect/">https://www.pennyforward.com/connect/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Chris Peterson, AFC®</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Founder and CEO, Penny Forward</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Blind People Building Bright Futures One Penny At A Time</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><a href="https://calendly.com/chris-peterson-pfwd/" target="_blank">Schedule a Meeting</a></span><u><span style='color:#467886'><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Email: <a href="mailto:chris@pennyforward.com">chris@pennyforward.com</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Phone: <a href="tel:+18883325558">1 (888) 332-5558</a></span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Web site: <a href="http://www.pennyforward.com/">www.pennyforward.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'><img border=0 width=231 height=92 style='width:2.4083in;height:.9583in' id="image_0" src="cid:image001.png@01DC7FCA.94EDB540" alt="Penny Forward logo with an arrow pointing forward separating the two words. The word Penny and arrow are in black, with Forward in green."></span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><hr size=1 width="98%" align=center></span></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>