CalABLE is a savings and investment plan offered by the state of California to individuals with disabilities.

Eligible individuals, family, friends and employers can contribute up to $17,000 a year without affecting the account beneficiary's public disability benefits. CalABLE account owners who work can contribute even more to their accounts. Best of all, earnings on qualified withdrawals from a CalABLE account are federal and California state tax-free.

CalABLE: Key facts

  • Earnings in a CalABLE account receive federal and California state tax-free treatment.
  • Withdrawals for qualified expenses are also tax-free.
  • Up to $17,000 a year can be deposited into a CalABLE account without affecting the beneficiary's public disability benefits.
  • Account owners/beneficiaries who are employed can contribute additional amounts above the $17,000 annual limit. For example, in 2023, eligible working individuals living in the 48 contiguous United States can contribute an amount equal to their current year gross income up to an additional $13,590.
  • If you receive SSI benefits, you can save as much as $100,000 in your account with no effect on federal and California state benefits.
  • California residents with a CalABLE account are protected from both creditors and repayment of medical assistance. In certain situations, Medi-Cal is prohibited from filing a claim against an account after the beneficiary has died, giving individuals the full opportunity to leave a legacy for loved ones. For more information about Medi-Cal recovery, please refer to the CalABLE Disclosure Statement (PDF). Families can transfer money from a 529 College Savings Plan to an ABLE account (provided the transfer does not exceed the $17,000 maximum annual contribution).
  • An annual fee of $37 per year is deducted in monthly installments from each CalABLE account. There are also low fees on the underlying investment options plus a state administrative fee. Additional fees apply if you choose not to use certain online features, such as receiving paper statements.
  • The U.S. Bank Solutions Premier Prepaid Card (“Prepaid Card”) is a reloadable prepaid card offered by CalABLE program as an optional feature to participants. CalABLE participants may request a Prepaid Card at the at the time of enrollment in the CalABLE Program, or if you have an existing CalABLE account, you can request a Prepaid Card at any time by logging into your CalABLE account and requesting a Prepaid Card on the Prepaid Cards tab and then select “Order”. The Prepaid Card can be requested for use by an Authorized Legal Representative, the Beneficiary, or both. Once activated, participants can load money onto the card by requesting a withdrawal from their CalABLE account on the “Financials” tab and selecting the prepaid card option. The card gives participants added flexibility to pay qualified disability expenses everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Participants are generally protected from all liability for unauthorized transactions with Zero Liability. For more information on the U.S. Bank Solutions Premier Prepaid Card, please visit www.myusbankprepaidcard.com.

    *The CalABLE account is not a U.S. Bank nor Visa product or service. U.S. Bank nor Visa endorses or guarantees the products, information, or recommendations provided on this site. Neither U.S. Bank nor Visa are liable for any failure or products or services advertised on this site outside of the U.S. Bank Solutions Premier Prepaid Card, which is issued by U.S. Bank National Association pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. © 2022 U.S. Bank. Member FDIC. Please visit www.myusbankprepaidcard.com for information about the U.S. Bank Solutions Premier Prepaid Card.*

CalABLE is California's ABLE Plan, but any eligible individual in the U.S. may open a CalABLE account.

CalABLE: How it works

Open an account

The account opening process is all online. When you open your account, you will be asked to create your own user name and password. You will enter basic information, such as your name, address and birthdate. (If you are a parent or other legal representative opening an account for someone else, you will need to enter your information plus the beneficiary's information.) Be sure to have bank account information available so that arrangements can be made to transfer funds back and forth. A few questions will be asked regarding the ABLE beneficiary's disability in order to confirm their eligibility to open an account.

Select your investment or savings options

Once you have entered your information, you will make your initial contribution, with a minimum of $25, and choose your saving and investment option(s) from among the four choices below:

  • FDIC-Insured Portfolio - Seeks a stable, conservative return by investing in a low risk, interest bearing deposit account.

  • Conservative Portfolio - Seeks a conservative to moderate long-term total return by investing primarily in bond funds, with smaller allocations to stock funds and a funding agreement.
  • Moderate Portfolio - Seeks a moderate long-term total return by investing in stock funds, bond funds, and a funding agreement.
  • Aggressive Growth Portfolio - Seeks aggressive growth and long-term total returns by investing primarily in stock funds.

Add money to your account anytime.

Log into your CalABLE account to transfer money from your bank account at any time. Or mail in a check to the Plan using the address below. The minimum contribution amount is $25.

CalABLE
P.O. Box 44309
Jacksonville, FL 32231

Withdraw money when needed.

Just log into your account and request a withdrawal amount. The withdrawal can be sent to your bank, electronically loaded on to your U.S. Bank Solutions Premier Prepaid Card, or you can request a paper check for a small fee. The U.S. Bank Solutions Premier Prepaid Card, is issued by U.S. Bank National Association pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. © 2022 U.S. Bank. Member FDIC.

About CalABLE's program manager

TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI) is the program manager for CalABLE. TFI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TIAA, a diversified Fortune 100 financial services organization. TIAA was established more than 100 years ago to help ensure teachers could retire with dignity. Today, millions of people rely on TIAA's wide range of financial products and services to achieve financial security.


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