When President Trump was first sworn in, he made a promise: The forgotten men and women of America would be forgotten no longer. Since then, this Administration has worked hard to deliver on that commitment, from reshoring manufacturing and bringing jobs back to America, to preparing our workforce for the AI revolution. But while our economy is seeing record job growth, too often one group is still forgotten: Americans with disabilities. That’s changing. As we mark May 29—or 529Day—the Department of Labor is taking a moment to highlight ABLE accounts and shine a light on financial literacy for Americans routinely told that it’s simply too risky to work.
Research shows that only 38% of disabled Americans of working age have a job today compared to 75% of those without disabilities. What’s more, a majority of disabled Americans without jobs aren’t actively looking for work. That suggests many have tried, failed, or feel they’ve been forced to opt out entirely.
Or it could be because of a hidden trap known as the benefits cliff, where earning more can mean losing everything. Accept a job, a promotion, or more work hours and you jeopardize your eligibility for public benefits like Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid, which may offer the very support you need to get to work. In other words, it punishes ambition.
That’s where the 529A account, better known as an ABLE account, comes in. Most Americans are familiar with 529 accounts, which many families use to save for K–12 education expenses or college tuition. ABLE accounts—short for Achieving a Better Life Experience—are similar to529s, but the money saved goes toward qualified disability-related expenses. Like 529s, ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings and investment accounts. Earnings are tax-deferred, and withdrawals are tax-free for qualified costs, which include education and job training, accessible home modifications such as ramps and wider doorways, accessible vans or ride-share transportation, medical costs, legal fees, and financial management.
Earlier this year, it became easier than ever for eligible,disabled Americans to open an ABLE account. Starting January 1, 2026, the ABLE Age Adjustment Act granted program eligibility to people with later-disability onset, changing the maximum age of disability from 26 to 46. That’s a big deal. It opened the door to ABLE accounts for eight million more Americans, including millions of our nation’s veterans with newly acquired disabilities.
In addition, President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cutlegislation made key work-friendly ABLE provisions permanent. These “ABLE to Work” rules raise contribution limits for employed account owners and permit certain employer contributions, empoweringworking people—including those without access to a 401(k)—to save more for disability-related expenses.
The average account balance has nearly quadrupled since 2016 to about $13,000 today. That may not seem like much to some, but without ABLE, you could only save $2,000 before losing benefits. The extra $11,000 means the security to sleep at night knowing there’s a buffer to replace a wheelchair, repair an accessible van, or pay for unexpected medical care. As the money grows, so does confidence. A nest egg turns into a down payment on a home or the stability to start a family.
Under President Trump’s leadership, we’ve seen a surge innew ABLE accounts. Total assets are now over $3 billion—more than any quarter since the program’s inception. And now, millions more of our nation’s veterans are eligible for ABLE for the first time, thanks to this Administration’s unwavering commitment to every American who has served.
Our resources aren’t just for Americans with disabilities, though. Whether you’re on the job hunt, currently working, or an employer, our Job Accommodation Network provides expert guidance on requesting and implementing workplace accommodations, all available on AskJAN.org. We’ve also recently updated our Secure Your Financial Future toolkit, which can help Americans maximize their economic mobility, whether they’re just entering the world of work, angling for a promotion, or ready to retire.
The Department of Labor is focused on improving access and success for all Americans, including those with disabilities, as we seek to build the strongest workforce and hottest economy in the world. But we also believe that giving individuals the opportunity to earn a paycheck is the first step toward achieving the American Dream—and ABLE accounts can play a key role in that endeavor.
As we usher in America’s Golden Age, we’re committed to making ABLE accounts a household name and empowering Americans to experience the dignity of work, the security of saving, and the freedom to retire with confidence.
Happy 529 Day.
