First National Bank of Omaha and Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg today kicked off “Embrace Enable”— eight days of activities, giveaways, special events and celebrations culminating June 30 at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium for the official launch of the Enable Savings Plan.
To celebrate the launch nationwide, individuals with disabilities, their families, advocates, supporters and others are invited to participate in a number of events including the #EmbraceEnable Photo Contest. To enter, anyone nationwide can submit photos and complete a form on the Enable Savings Plan’s Facebook page including the hashtag #EmbraceEnable. Five winners will be drawn at random to each win a $100 VISA prepaid card.
Additionally, the “I am ABLE to” traveling wall will make its way from the Treasurer’s news conference on the new Centennial Mall north of the State Capitol, to the First National Bank Tower Wintergarden and then to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium on June 30. Signers are invited to share their abilities and write inspirational messages on the wall.
“We are excited that in just a few days, the Enable Savings Plan will be available to Nebraskans and individuals across the United States. We invite Nebraskans to take part in the activities and events leading up to the June 30 launch. And we encourage everyone to celebrate and support this valued community of new savers and their families,” said State Treasurer Stenberg.
“After more than a year of planning, we are excited to launch our Enable Savings Plan and to sign up our first account owners, beginning June 30. We are proud to be one of the first states in the nation to offer these tax-advantaged savings accounts to enable children and adults with qualifying disabilities in Nebraska and across the United States to save and invest their money without jeopardizing benefits they may receive through public programs like SSI and Medicaid,” Treasurer Stenberg said.
“Through it all, First National Bank and the Treasurer’s Office have been committed to building a program to address the unique needs of our future account owners, keeping in mind convenience, ease of use, and cost. Our shared vision has been to create a program that can be understood and used by a broad range of people with disabilities and their legal representatives with minimal paperwork,” Stenberg said.
A pioneering program from the First National Bank of Omaha and the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office, the Enable Savings Plan is one of the first ABLE programs in the country and provides individuals with disabilities an affordable, simple and straightforward opportunity to gain financial independence. Account owners can save for their future in tax-free savings accounts and pay for everyday expenses related to their disabilities.
In a prepared statement released by First National Bank, Clark Lauritzen, executive vice president, said: “For more than 150 years, First National Bank has committed to serving our clients, customers and communities across Nebraska. As we get set to launch the Enable Savings Plan nationally, we preserve and uphold that pledge. For so long, individuals with disabilities have had few options to save; Enable changes that. We will provide the experience and knowledge to help families feel secure in and achieve their financial goals.”
Also speaking at the news conference in addition to Treasurer Stenberg was State. Sen. Kate Bolz of Lincoln, the sponsor of legislation in 2015 to create Nebraska’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) law.
Highlights of activities leading up to the June 30 launch include the following:
To follow updates and learn more about the Enable Savings Plan, visit EnableSavings.com or treasurer.nebraska.gov, read the Enable Savings Plan blog, and like Enable Savings Plan on Facebook.
About Enable
Enable is a tax-advantaged savings plan to help make saving simple and affordable for individuals with disabilities. Nebraska State Treasurer John Murante serves as Trustee. First National Bank of Omaha serves as Program Manager, and investments are approved by the Nebraska Investment Council. Visit EnableSavings.com and treasurer.nebraska.gov for more information.
About First National Bank of Omaha
First National Bank of Omaha is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska. First National of Nebraska and its affiliates have more than $23 billion in assets and 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.
