Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), along with Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3), introduced the ABLE Employment Flexibility Act, bipartisan legislation designed to expand financial opportunities and strengthen workplace opportunities for Americans with disabilities.

            ABLE accounts—special savings accounts for people with disabilities—allow individuals to save money without affecting their eligibility for federal assistance programs. This bill enables employers to make tax-free contributions to these accounts, offering greater flexibility in hiring and retaining employees with disabilities while helping these workers achieve greater financial independence.

            "Individuals with disabilities deserve the freedom to access employee benefits and save for retirement without risking their eligibility for critical federal programs," said Rep. Fitzpatrick (PA-1). "By eliminating unnecessary barriers, our bipartisan legislation takes a bold step in protecting essential supports like the ABLE program while empowering employees with disabilities to achieve financial security and thrive in the workplace. This is about breaking down barriers and ensuring equal opportunity for all."

            "Workers with disabilities should have the same access to employer benefits as anyone else, including the ability to save for their future," said Rep. Davids (KS-3). "After speaking with Kansans like Rachel Mast, a person with Down syndrome, I introduced this bill to ensure that workers with disabilities can build financial security without sacrificing the federal benefits that help them succeed. It's a commonsense fix that promotes equity, independence, and economic opportunity for millions of Americans."

            Currently, many employers offer 401(k) matching contributions as a benefit of employment. However, workers with disabilities are often excluded from taking advantage of this option due to strict federal asset limits tied to programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Contributions to retirement accounts can unintentionally disqualify individuals from these benefits, leaving workers with disabilities at a financial disadvantage compared to their peers.