Planning guide
Funding future support: savings, insurance and investments
How families prepare money for long-term support, and how to think about the gap your plan shows.
Looking at the gap
Continuity estimates lifetime support need first, then subtracts what may be met by family care, public benefits and existing resources. What remains is an estimated family provision. It is a planning range, not a target you must hit today.
Common tools
Savings and investments held in a way that protects benefit eligibility, often through an ABLE account or special needs trust.
Life insurance intended to fund future support. A policy's owner and beneficiary designations matter, so review them with a professional.
Retirement accounts and their rules when a person with a disability is a beneficiary.
Regular, modest contributions over many years, which often matter more than a large single amount.
Getting independent guidance
A planner experienced with special needs can test your assumptions and build a funding path. Ask how they are paid and whether they have any conflicts of interest.
Questions worth asking
- How much should we aim to set aside each month?
- Is our existing life insurance structured to help?
- Which accounts protect benefits?
Official source
Consumer financial tools (CFPB) — general ↗
General consumer-finance information from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau; not specific to disability or special needs planning.
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General educational information, not legal, tax, medical or financial advice. Rules vary by state and change over time; confirm details with the agency or a qualified professional.