<div dir="ltr"><div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Hello all,</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Thanks to those of you who attended the seminar on June 7th. Information from the ABLE session on Saturday will eventually be on the NFBMD website in the Advocacy section. I will advise you when it is up. In the meantime, below is the brochure about ABLE which has many of the things Kelly Nelson discussed. </div><br clear="all"></div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><b><font size="2">Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</font></b></div><div><font size="2">National Federation of the Blind of Maryland</font></div><div><font size="2">410-715-9596</font></div><div><font size="2"><br></font></div><div><font size="2">The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<br></font></div><div><b><font size="2"></font></b></div><div><b><font size="2"><br><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)"></span></font></b></div><h1 style="margin:12pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:16pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal">Maryland ABLE 2025 Brochure</h1>
<h1 style="margin:12pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:16pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%">Achieving a Better Life
Experience</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"></span></h1>
<h2 style="margin:2pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">Supporting Financial
Freedom and Greater Quality of Life for People with Disabilities</span><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:107%"></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<h1 style="margin:12pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:16pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%">What Is Maryland ABLE?</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%"></span></h1>
<h2 style="margin:2pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:107%">It is an investment tool
for people with disabilities, designed to help Beneficiaries save and invest in
a tax-advantaged account for their everyday needs and prepare for the future
without losing access to federal, or state means tested benefits.</span></h2>
<h3 style="margin:2pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,55,99);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%">Who Can Have an ABLE
Account?</span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:107%"></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;break-after:avoid;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">You can open an ABLE account at ANY age as long as: You
experienced the onset of disability or </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;break-after:avoid;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">blindness prior to the age of 26, which will change to
age 46 on January 1, 2026. You are entitled to receive SSI or SSDI, or have a
signed physician\u2019s diagnosis form that can be provided to the Program or the
IRS upon request.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;break-after:avoid;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<h3 style="margin:2pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,55,99);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%">Who Can Open an Account?</span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:107%"></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">You, as the beneficiary if you are over age 18; or
you\u2019re an Authorized Legal Representative (ALR) for someone with a qualifying
disability.</p>
<h3 style="margin:2pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,55,99);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%">ABLE Account Holder
Benefits</span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:107%"></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Contributions up to $19,000 in 2025 for a wide range of
qualified disability expenses. Check the Program Disclosure Book for current year.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tax free
account growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified disability expenses.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Contributions
to a Maryland ABLE account can result in a subtraction up to $2,500 per
contributor, per beneficiary, from gross taxable income when filing Maryland
State income taxes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Save up to
$100,000 in an ABLE account before impacting SSI cash benefits.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Make
contributions up to a maximum account value of $500,000.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Transfer
money to a pre-loaded card option for easy access to funds.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Personalize
an online gifting page and share with friends and family.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Make
contributions to an ABLE account via payroll deductions or by rolling over
funds from a 529 college savings plan for the beneficiary, or a member of the
beneficiary\u2019s family.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Manage
account via the online dashboard or mobile app, available for iOS and Android
devices.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Additional
contributions may be made by Beneficiaries who work. For more information,
review the ABLE to Work benefits in our Program Disclosure Booklet available at
<a href="https://www.MarylandABLE.org" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">www.MarylandABLE.org</a></p>
<h3 style="margin:2pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,55,99);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%">Opening a Maryland ABLE
Account</span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:107%"></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">It only takes an initial deposit of $25 to open an
account! Once you are ready to enroll, you can set up your account online or
you can mail a paper enrollment form. When opening a Maryland ABLE account, be
sure to have the Beneficiary\u2019s (and ALR\u2019s, if applicable) Social Security
Number and bank account information to link to the account.</p>
<h3 style="margin:2pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,55,99);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%">Account Fees</span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:107%"></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">There is an annual fee of $35 for a Maryland ABLE
account to keep everything running smoothly. There are also annual asset-based
fees charged for each Investment Option. See the Program Disclosure Booklet for
more details.</p>
<h3 style="margin:2pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,55,99);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%">Maryland ABLE Portfolio
Options</span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:107%"></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Cash Option is FDIC-insured banking product similar to
a savings account.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Four Investment Options designed for different
investment objectives and risk tolerances: the Fixed Income, Conservative,
Moderate and Aggressive portfolios.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Account owners can choose to: Deposit all of your money
in the Cash Option, put all of your money in one or more of the Investment
Options, or split your money between the Cash Option and one or more of the
Investment Options.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">If you decide to split where you put the money in your
account, you have to put at least $5 in each option that you select.</p>
<h3 style="margin:2pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,55,99);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%">Examples of Qualified
Disability Expenses</span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:107%"></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">BASIC LIVING EXPENSES such as gas, electric, water,
food, etc.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">HEALTH AND WELLNESS which can include but are not
limited to medical bills, medication, exercise services, and medical equipment.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">HOUSING such as mortgage, property taxes, and rent.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">EDUCATION AND TRAINING which include textbooks,
tuition, certification programs, and trade schools.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">EMPLOYMENT including work-related expenses, license and
certification fees, and job coaching.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">TRANSPORTATION such as buses, metro, subway, taxi,
Uber, Lyft, trains, and plane.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND LEGAL FEES including tax
preparation, legal and court fees, and financial advisor services.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY including but not limited to
hearing aids, computers, screen readers, and iDevices.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">BURIAL FEES AND EXPENSES including pre-planning fees,
pre-paid cemetery plots, and funeral and burial expenses.</p>
<h2 style="margin:2pt 0in 0in;line-height:107%;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:107%">Thinking About Opening a
Maryland ABLE Account?</span><span style="font-size:16pt;line-height:107%"></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">You can visit the <a href="http://marylandable.org">marylandable.org</a> website or call
customer support at 855-5MD-ABLE (563-2253). They are available Monday \u2013 Friday
9 A.M. to 9 P.M. Eastern Standard Time</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Enrolling in the Maryland ABLE program is an important
decision for you and your family. Please read the entire Program Disclosure and
Participation Agreement carefully before deciding to enroll. The Maryland ABLE
Program Disclosure provides investment objectives, risks, expenses and costs,
fees, and other information you should consider carefully before investing. If
the Beneficiary lives outside of Maryland, you should consider any ABLE program
offered by the Beneficiary\u2019s home state prior to making a decision to invest in
the Maryland ABLE program. Keep in mind that state-based benefits should be one
of many appropriately weighted factors to be considered when making an
investment decision. Maryland ABLE accounts are not guaranteed by the State of
Maryland, any state agency or subdivision thereof, or their authorized agents
or affiliates. You could lose money by investing in a Maryland ABLE account.
Consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="break-after:avoid;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p></div></div></div></div>