ABLE Plans by State: Comparing Fees, Investment Options, and Account Features

How ABLE plan costs and features differ by state

ABLE plans are run by individual states, not by a single national program, so the fees you pay and the investment choices you get depend entirely on which state's plan you open. Some states charge no annual maintenance fee; others charge $25 to $60 per year. Some offer a handful of investment funds; others offer dozens. A few states let you open an account if you live anywhere in the country; most restrict accounts to state residents or people who work there.

The differences matter because they affect how much of your money stays invested and grows, and whether the investment options match what you actually want to do with your savings. This guide walks through the major cost categories, shows you how to find your state's specific fees and options, and explains what to look for when you're comparing plans.

Key Takeaways

• Annual maintenance fees range from $0 to $60 per year depending on the state, and some states waive the fee if your account balance stays below a certain amount.
• Investment management fees (called expense ratios) typically run 0.16% to 0.50% per year and are charged by the fund itself, not by the state program.
• Most states restrict ABLE accounts to residents or people employed in that state, though a growing number allow out-of-state residents to open accounts.
• The number of investment fund options ranges from 4 to 30+ depending on the state, so your ability to diversify or choose conservative investments varies by plan.
• You can find your state's specific fees, investment options, and residency rules on the state program's website or through the ABLE National Resource Center.

Annual account maintenance fees by state

Most states charge an annual maintenance fee to keep your ABLE account open, though the amount and when it's charged varies. Some states charge a flat annual fee ($25 to $60); others charge a monthly fee ($2 to $5 per month). A few states charge nothing at all. Some states waive the fee if your account balance is below a certain threshold — often $500 or $1,000 — which can matter if you're building your savings slowly.

The fee is usually deducted automatically from your account once a year, typically in January or at the start of the plan year. A few states let you avoid the fee by setting up automatic monthly deposits or by maintaining a minimum balance. Before you open an account, check whether the state charges a fee, when it's deducted, and whether there are ways to waive it.

These fees are separate from investment management fees (described below). A state with a $0 annual fee might still charge investment fees through the funds themselves, and a state with a higher annual fee might offer lower-cost investment options overall.

Investment management fees and fund choices

When you invest your ABLE account money in stocks, bonds, or mutual funds, those investments charge their own fees — called expense ratios — which are a percentage of the money you have invested. These fees are deducted automatically and are not charged by the state; they're charged by the investment company running the fund. Expense ratios typically range from 0.16% to 0.50% per year, though some funds charge more.

The number of investment options available to you depends on which state plan you choose. Some states offer only 4 to 8 pre-built portfolios (like "conservative," "moderate," or "aggressive"), which are designed to match different risk levels and time horizons. Other states offer 20 to 30+ individual funds, which gives you more control over exactly what you invest in but requires more knowledge to choose well.

If you want very low-cost, simple investing, look for a state plan that offers target-date funds or index funds with expense ratios below 0.20%. If you want more control and are comfortable picking individual funds, choose a state with a larger fund menu. Some states also offer a "cash" option (essentially a savings account within the ABLE plan) that earns a small amount of interest but carries no investment risk.

Residency and account opening rules

Most ABLE plans require you to be a resident of that state or employed there to open an account. A few states have no residency requirement and allow anyone in the country to open an account with them. This matters because if your state's plan is expensive or has limited investment options, you may be able to open an account in a neighboring state or a state known for low-cost plans.

Residency rules are set by each state and can change. Some states define residency as living there for a certain period; others accept a driver's license or utility bill as proof. Some allow you to open an account if you work in the state even if you don't live there. Before you assume you can't use a particular state's plan, check the state program's website or call their customer service line to ask about your specific situation.

A few states have opened their plans to out-of-state residents in recent years as a way to attract more account holders. If you're looking for a low-cost plan and your own state's plan is expensive, it's worth checking whether you can open an account elsewhere.

How to compare plans side by side

The easiest way to compare ABLE plans is to use the ABLE National Resource Center website (ablenrc.org), which has a comparison tool that lets you filter by state, fee type, and investment options. You can see annual maintenance fees, investment expense ratios, the number of funds offered, and residency rules all in one place.

If you're comparing just two or three states, go directly to each state program's website and download their fee schedule and investment prospectus (a document that describes each fund). Look for the annual maintenance fee, the expense ratio for each fund, any minimum balance requirements, and any fees for transfers or account changes.

When you're comparing total costs, add the annual maintenance fee to the average expense ratio of the funds you plan to invest in. For example, if a state charges $30 per year and you invest in a fund with a 0.25% expense ratio on a $5,000 balance, your total annual cost is about $42.50 (the $30 fee plus $12.50 in investment fees). A different state with a $0 annual fee but a 0.40% expense ratio would cost about $20 per year on the same balance — less overall, even though the investment fee is higher.

Special features and account services

Beyond fees and investment options, ABLE plans differ in the services and features they offer. Some states provide financial planning tools or educational resources on their website. Some allow you to set up automatic monthly deposits, which can help you save consistently. Some offer a debit card linked to your ABLE account, which makes it easier to spend money on may have access to disability expenses without having to transfer funds first.

A few states offer "investment advisors" or robo-advisors — automated tools that recommend a portfolio based on your age, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Others let you link your ABLE account to a financial advisor if you want personalized guidance (though advisors typically charge their own fees for this service).

These features don't affect whether the account works or how much you can save, but they can make the account easier to use or help you make better investment decisions. If you're new to investing or prefer hands-off management, a state plan with a robo-advisor or simple pre-built portfolios might be worth choosing even if the fees are slightly higher.

What to do if your state's plan is limited or expensive

If your state doesn't offer an ABLE plan, or if the plan is expensive or has very few investment options, you have a few choices. First, check whether you can open an account in a neighboring state or a state with a reputation for low costs. Some states have no residency requirement, and others will accept you if you have any connection to the state (a job, a family member living there, or even a mailing address).

Second, contact your state's disability services office or advocacy organization and ask whether they know of plans that accept out-of-state residents. Many disability advocates keep lists of the best-performing ABLE plans and can point you toward options you might not find on your own.

Third, if you're just starting to save and don't have much money yet, the difference between a $30 annual fee and a $0 fee matters less than it will later. You can open an account in your state's plan now, and if fees or investment options become a problem as your balance grows, you can transfer your money to a different state's plan later (though some states charge a transfer fee, so check first).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move my ABLE account from one state to another?

Yes, you can transfer your account balance from one state's ABLE plan to another. The process is called a "rollover" or "direct transfer." Contact the new state's plan and ask for their transfer form; they'll handle moving the money from your old account. Some states charge a transfer fee ($25 to $50), so ask about that before you start. The transfer usually takes two to four weeks.

What's the difference between an expense ratio and an annual maintenance fee?

An annual maintenance fee is charged by the state program to keep your account open — it's a flat dollar amount like $30 or $50 per year. An expense ratio is charged by the investment fund itself and is a percentage of your balance, like 0.25% per year. Both come out of your account automatically, and both reduce how much money you have left to grow.

Do I have to pick my own investments, or can the plan do it for me?

It depends on the state. Some plans offer pre-built portfolios (like "conservative" or "moderate") that are designed for different risk levels — you just pick one and the plan invests for you. Others offer a robo-advisor tool that asks you questions and recommends a portfolio automatically. Some require you to pick individual funds yourself. Check your state's plan website to see what options are available.

If I live in a state with no ABLE plan, what do I do?

A few states don't run their own ABLE plans. In that case, you can open an account in any other state's plan that allows out-of-state residents. Check the ABLE National Resource Center website to see which states accept residents from your state. You'll need to provide proof of residency or employment in your own state, and possibly a mailing address in the state whose plan you're joining.

Are there any states where the ABLE plan is free with no fees at all?

A few states charge no annual maintenance fee, though investment expense ratios still apply. The states with the lowest total costs change year to year as programs adjust their fees. Check the ABLE National Resource Center comparison tool or call your state program directly to find the current lowest-cost options.