News Release

Wellsboro, PA - Treasurer Stacy Garrity visited Highland Chocolates, a nonprofit chocolate factory and retail store owned by Partners In Progress, today to conclude her statewide tour to celebrate the PA ABLE Savings Program surpassing $100 million in assets. PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are a tax-free way for Pennsylvanians with disabilities, and their families, to save without affecting eligibility for important benefits.

Highland Chocolates provides vocational training and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities, producing 45 packaged items in milk and dark chocolate varieties.

“As excited as I was to taste Highland Chocolates’ famous pretzel bark, I was even more excited to meet the people who are gaining valuable experience through the company’s employment and training programs. The employees at Highland Chocolates create delicious snacks, and PA ABLE gives them a chance to save the money they’re working so hard to earn, empowering them to live independently, without hurting their eligibility for important benefits.”

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity

“We were delighted to welcome Treasurer Stacy Garrity and her team to our Highland Chocolates Factory to celebrate the PA ABLE program surpassing $100 million in assets,” said Irene Morgan, Executive Director of Partners In Progress, Inc. “Our team members cherish their roles at Partners In Progress, and with the invaluable support from initiatives like PA ABLE, they are truly set up to thrive. At Partners In Progress, our mission is to empower Individuals with disabilities to succeed, and thanks to champions like Treasurer Garrity and the PA ABLE program, we ensure continued success in fulfilling our mission.”

Executive Director of Partners In Progress, Inc. Irene Morgan

Over the past three years, assets in PA ABLE have nearly tripled. The program passed the $100 million asset milestone in November, and today over 8,500 Pennsylvanians have PA ABLE accounts with assets of more than $115 million.

“I commend Treasurer Garrity and Pennsylvania Treasury for hitting the $100 million milestone in ABLE savings. The ABLE program is an important tool to promote financial empowerment and community inclusion for people with disabilities. The growth of this program has a tangible positive impact on peoples’ lives, and Treasurer Garrity’s leadership on this topic in Pennsylvania and nationally is greatly appreciated.”

Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) Shaun M. Snyder

“Something we should all be proud of is the fact that ABLE has strong – and very bipartisan roots – right here in Pennsylvania. Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat, championed the federal ABLE law, which was signed into law in December 2014. And at the state level Senator Lisa Baker and former Rep. Bernie O’Neill, both Republicans, championed PA ABLE, which was signed into law in April 2016.”

Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity

“For years, millions of people with disabilities in this country were barred from saving for the future, which meant many people couldn’t save for a home, purchase needed assistive technology, or save for an accessible car. That is why I worked to create ABLE, to knock down a barrier that people with disabilities face as they work to improve their lives,” said Senator Casey. “Nine years later, the program has become a lifeline for thousands of people with disabilities across the nation, with $100 million saved in Pennsylvania alone. I am grateful to everyone who worked to make this program a reality, and proud of what we’ve accomplished for Pennsylvanians and Americans with disabilities.”

U.S. Senator Bob Casey

“Crossing the $100 million threshold of investment is testament to the importance the ABLE program has for so many Pennsylvania families. This is a very positive example of the good that can result when officials from both parties come together to develop practical and sensible solutions to the real problems and challenges residents face in our communities every day.”

State Senator Lisa Baker

Treasurer Garrity was a strong advocate for the federal ABLE Age Adjustment Act, also championed by Senator Casey and supported by virtually the entire Pennsylvania congressional delegation, which became law in 2022. Currently, to be eligible to save with an ABLE program, a person’s disability must be onset prior to their 26th birthday. With the new law, starting in 2026, this age restriction will rise to 46 – expanding eligibility to millions more Americans, including one million veterans.

The first PA ABLE accounts were opened in April 2017. Since then, Pennsylvanians have contributed $133.7 million to PA ABLE accounts. More than $37.6 million has been withdrawn for disability-related expenses, like groceries, rent, healthcare, transportation, and longer-term expenses including education and assistive technology.

PA ABLE offers seven different savings and investment options, including a checking account. PA ABLE account owners can contribute up to $18,000 per year. Contributions can be deducted on PA state income taxes, and PA ABLE account owners pay no federal or state income tax on account growth when used for qualified withdrawals.

In 2023 alone, PA ABLE account owners contributed $32.5 million, while $11.9 million was withdrawn – and 1,817 Pennsylvanians opened new PA ABLE accounts.

PA ABLE is the largest program in the 19-member National ABLE Alliance, accounting for more than 25% of total Alliance assets.

Since taking office, Treasurer Garrity has reduced fees three times for PA ABLE account owners. She is the inaugural chair of the National ABLE Savings Plans Network, a part of NAST.

To learn more about program eligibility and how to start saving with PA ABLE, visit paable.gov, email info@paable.gov or call 855-529-2253.

Media contacts:
Samantha Heckel, Press Secretary (Treasury), 717-418-0206 or sheckel@patreasury.gov
Rob Satterly, Public Relations Specialist (Partners In Progress, Inc.), 570-404-7719 or roberts@partnerspip.com