PA ABLE changes coming this summer!
We are excited to bring new improvements to your PA ABLE account! Beginning in July 2026, PA ABLE accounts will transition to an enhanced online platform managed by a new program manager, Vestwell.
This transition will bring lower fees, industry-leading technology, and new features designed to better serve you.
To ensure you receive important information about this transition, log in to your account and confirm your contact information is up to date in your account settings.
This page will be updated regularly as we get closer to the transition. Check back frequently for details on what to expect and how to access and navigate your account after the transition.
Details for PA ABLE Checking Account Option customers
As part of this transition, the PA ABLE Checking Account Option from Fifth Third Bank will move to a new easier-to-use reloadable prepaid card. After June 30, 2026, you will not be able to write checks or use the debit card from Fifth Third Bank. Details are available in the timeline below.
Please note: Account owners who use their Fifth Third Bank checks or debit card to make withdrawals should make alternate plans for this time period, when they will not be available.
Once this transition is complete, you will be able to make payments by check for free from your PA ABLE account.
PA ABLE Transition Guide
Details about PA ABLE’s transition to a new program manager, Vestwell, are available in the PA ABLE Transition Guide. Please keep this with your PA ABLE Savings Program account documents.
Prepare for the PA ABLE transition by reviewing the PA ABLE Transition Guide – here you’ll find a transition timeline with key dates, details to help you prepare before and after the transition, descriptions of new account features, and answers to frequently asked questions.
PA ABLE Conversion Resources
Tour your new online account portal.
View Video Here
Find important details for customers saving with a Fifth Third Bank Checking Account option and learn about the new PA ABLE Prepaid Card.
View Video Here
Learn how to access your account after the transition to Vestwell is complete.
View Video HereHow Investment Options Will Move During the Transition
Current Investment Option |
New Investment Option |
|---|---|
| Checking Account Option (100% FDIC-insured) |
Capital Preservation (35% FDIC-insured / 65% Stable Value) |
| Money Market (100% Cash) |
Capital Preservation (35% FDIC-insured / 65% Stable Value) |
| Conservative (10% Stocks / 30% Bonds / 60% Cash) |
Conservative (10% Stocks / 25% Bonds / 50% Stable Value / 15% FDIC-insured) |
| Moderately Conservative (30% Stocks / 45% Bonds / 25% Cash) |
Moderately Conservative (30% Stocks / 42% Bonds / 20% Stable Value / 8% FDIC-insured) |
| Moderate (45% Stocks / 55% Bonds) |
Moderate (45% Stocks / 45% Bonds / 7% Stable Value / 3% FDIC-insured) |
| Growth (60% Stocks / 40% Bonds) |
Growth (60% Stocks / 40% Bonds) |
| Moderately Aggressive (75% Stocks / 25% Bonds) |
Moderately Aggressive (75% Stocks / 25% Bonds) |
| Aggressive (90% Stocks / 10% Bonds) |
Aggressive (90% Stocks / 10% Bonds) |
Descriptors of Risk-Based options available July 28, 2026
Capital Preservation Option - Focused entirely on protecting what you have saved. This option keeps all assets in stable value and FDIC-insured holdings with no equity exposure, making it the least likely to lose value. This strategy is best suited for account owners who need access to their funds sooner rather than later – typically within one to two years – or who cannot afford any risk of loss. Low risk and short term time horizon.
Conservative Option - Prioritizes stability while adding a small amount of stock and bond exposure for modest growth potential. The majority of the assets remain in stable value and FDIC-insured vehicles, keeping the risk of loss low. A good fit for those who are close to spending their savings–generally within one to three years – and want to limit volatility while still earning a little more than cash alone. Low risk and short term time horizon.
Moderately Conservative Option - Leans toward safety but introduces meaningful equity and fixed income exposure, with roughly 30% stocks, 42% bonds, 20% stable value and the remainder in cash. Some short-term fluctuation is possible, but the stable value allocation helps cushion losses. Suitable for account owners with a three to five year time horizon who prefer limited but real growth opportunities without taking on too much risk. Low to moderate risk and short to mid-term time horizon.
Moderate Option - A balanced approach with 45% in stocks across U.S. and international markets and 45% in bonds, with a small stable value buffer. This mix accepts some up-and-down movement in exchange for steadier long-term growth. Designed for those with a five to ten year horizon who can tolerate occasional dips in value and want a well-rounded portfolio that grows without taking on outsized risk. Moderate risk and mid-term time horizon.
Growth Option - Tilts decisively towards equities, with 60% in U.S. and international stocks and 40% in bonds. Best for account owners with a ten plus year time horizon who are comfortable riding out short-term volatility in exchange for stronger growth potential over time. Moderate high risk and long term time horizon.
Moderately Aggressive Option - Heavily weighted towards stocks, with 75% in equities and 25% in fixed income. This option will experience significant swings with market conditions and can lose substantial value in the short term. Suited for those with a long term time horizon – generally ten plus years – and a high tolerance for volatility who want to maximize growth while keeping a modest bond allocation as a buffer. High risk and long term time horizon.
Aggressive Option - Highest growth option, with 90% in stocks across U.S. and international markets and only 10% in bonds. This option is best suited for account owners with many years, typically fifteen or more, who can stay the course through market downturns while maximizing growth potential. High risk and long term time horizon.
New PA ABLE Investment Line Up Underlying Fund Holdings – Available July 28, 2026
| Investment Option | Capital Preservation | Conservative | Moderately Conservative | Moderate | Growth | Moderately Aggressive | Aggressive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Equity | 6.5% | 20.0% | 30.0% | 39.0% | 49.0% | 59.0% | ||
| US Large Cap | Fidelity 500 Index Fund | 5.0% | 14.5% | 22.0% | 28.0% | 36.0% | 42.0% | |
| US Mid Cap | Vanguard S&P Mid‑Cap 400 Index Fund Institutional Shares | 1.0% | 4.0% | 6.0% | 8.0% | 9.0% | 12.0% | |
| US Small Cap | Vanguard S&P Small‑Cap 600 Index Fund Institutional Shares | 0.5% | 1.5% | 2.0% | 3.0% | 4.0% | 5.0% | |
| International Equity | 3.5% | 10.0% | 15.0% | 21.0% | 26.0% | 31.0% | ||
| Developed International | Fidelity International Index Fund | 3.0% | 8.0% | 12.0% | 17.0% | 21.0% | 25.0% | |
| Emerging Markets | Fidelity Emerging Markets Index Fund | 0.5% | 2.0% | 3.0% | 4.0% | 5.0% | 6.0% | |
| Fixed Income | 25.0% | 42.0% | 45.0% | 40.0% | 25.0% | 10.0% | ||
| Core Bond | Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund | 18.0% | 31.0% | 37.0% | 28.0% | 18.0% | 8.0% | |
| International Bond | Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund Institutional Shares | 2.0% | 7.0% | 8.0% | 12.0% | 7.0% | 2.0% | |
| Inflation-Protected | Schwab TIPS Index Fund | 5.0% | 4.0% | |||||
| Stable Value* | 65.0% | 50.0% | 20.0% | 7.0% | ||||
| FDIC | 35.0% | 15.0% | 8.0% | 3.0% |
*The Stable Value option is a capital preservation investment designed to protect your principal while providing a consistent, competitive return that typically exceeds that of money market funds. It is not subject to stock market volatility, making it well-suited for account holders seeking safety and liquidity for near-term expenses.
You can look forward to
- Lower fees – savings up to 45%!
- New and expanded account features
- An improved, accessible portal design
- A customizable and reloadable Prepaid Card
- More robust investment options
- Simplified account management tools for individuals and organizations
- A mobile app to access and manage your PA ABLE account on the go
- Account platform available in 20 different languages
Transition Plan Communications
Find all correspondence about the transition in this section. Accounts with paper delivery are encouraged to sign up for email delivery before June 30 to receive timely notifications about this transition.
Transition Timeline
Here’s what to expect in the coming months:
- April through July 2026
- June 30, 2026
- Week of July 20, 2026
- July 23, 2026 – 4:00 P.M. (ET)
- July 28, 2026
Details about the transition will be sent to you over the course of several weeks and will include details about these important dates.
Last day to use the PA ABLE Fifth Third Bank debit card and write checks.
Account owners who use the Fifth Third Bank Checking Account should make alternate plans for making withdrawals after June 30, 2026.
Please note: Once this transition is complete, you will be able to make payments by check for free from your PA ABLE account.
During the week of July 20, 2026 your account will transition to the new platform. There will be a blackout period of a few days during this time and account access will be unavailable. A detailed timeline is below to help you plan for this transition.
Last day to make any transactions and access your PA ABLE account online. The blackout period begins at 4pm on July 23, 2026, and will last until July 28. During the blackout period, PA ABLE’s customer service team will be available by phone at 855-529-ABLE (2253) from 8am until 5pm (ET) weekdays for inquiries only.
The transition to Vestwell will be complete and you will receive a notification when your account is available. New reloadable prepaid cards can be requested online and will be sent by mail within 5 to 7 business days following the request.
Conversion FAQs
This transition will improve PA ABLE accounts by offering lower fees, access to more modern technology, and much more. Vestwell was selected to be PA ABLE’s program manager starting July 28, 2026.
The PA ABLE Savings Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department who partners with a program manager to perform functions related to the day-to-day management of PA ABLE accounts.
The program manager, Vestwell, recommends investment portfolios, manages PA ABLE’s customer service call center, and runs the PA ABLE online account platform that supports your savings and financial transactions.
Vestwell is a financial technology company that powers savings programs for individuals and businesses, including ABLE programs, 529 education savings plans, IRAs, 401(k) plans, and more.
Vestwell is the largest ABLE provider in the country. Vestwell’s technology makes it easier for families to access ABLE savings, offering a mobile app, a multilingual account platform available in 20 languages, caregiver management tools, and direct educational resources.
The PA ABLE transition to Vestwell is scheduled to finish on July 28, 2026. Leading up to the transition, access to your account will be paused for a brief blackout period, beginning at 4pm on July 23, 2026, and ending on July 28, 2026.
The timeline for this expected pause in account access and any actions you may need to take during the weeks leading up to the transition are available above and in the Plan Communications section of this page.
Yes! Once this transition is complete, you will be able to make withdrawals from your PA ABLE account by check any time for free. Like a bank’s online bill pay system, you will be able to make payments by check by accessing your PA ABLE account online and entering information about the payee, including the mailing address.
Yes, fees are decreasing!
Currently, PA ABLE savers pay $31 or $56 per year for account management, depending on the delivery option they have selected, as well as asset-based fees of up to 0.34% depending on which investment options are chosen.
After the transition, you will only pay $17 a year when signed up for e-delivery of plan documents ($37 a year if paper delivery is selected). Plus, asset-based fees will only be up to 0.25% of your balance. This will make PA ABLE much more affordable for savers.
Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition for your account.
Once the transition has finished, you will need to take a few steps to access your account on the Vestwell system. For most account owners, this will be as simple as creating a new login and password and verifying your identity.
You will receive step-by-step instructions starting in mid-June and again after the transition is complete. These instructions will explain how to access your new account, new features to expect, and more. Please watch for these important instructions and check this page regularly for additional information. You can also find all correspondence about the transition in the Plan Communications section of this page.
Please be sure your contact information is up to date in your account settings.
During the transition, we will simply move your funds from your current investment options to comparable new investment options. As we get closer to the transition, you will receive more detailed information about the investment options to which your funds are being moved.
If you would like to select different investment options, you can easily move your funds after the transition using one of your two annual fund changes.
With the transition, PA ABLE will be offering seven risk-based investment options, developed to closely align with the investment options that are currently available, and nine new target-year investment options. The new target-year investment options offer the ability to easily select an investment based on when you anticipate using the funds.
PA ABLE’s new investment line-up will offer mutual funds from Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab. The most conservative investment, the “Capital Preservation” portfolio, will replace the current Checking Account and Money Market Options. It provides a guaranteed rate of return, and (unlike the current Checking Account Option and debit card) will be available for organizations (for-profits, non-profits, and government agencies) to use.
We will send you details and step-by-step instructions in the weeks leading up to the July transition. We will also provide updates and information regularly on this page.
You will also receive communications during the week of transition and after it is complete.
These communications will explain how to access your account, outline new account features, and give tips on navigating the new portal and using common functions.
As part of the transition, the PA ABLE Checking Account Option and debit card will be discontinued. Starting July 1, 2026, you will no longer be able to use the PA ABLE Fifth Third debit card. It is being replaced with a more flexible, easy-to-use, customizable and reloadable prepaid card.
Specific information will be sent to all PA ABLE account owners using the Checking Account Option and Fifth Third debit cards.
As part of the transition, the current PA ABLE debit card program will be discontinued.
Once the transition is complete, you will be able to request a new, customizable, and reloadable prepaid card online. PA ABLE prepaid cards are reloadable and free, and will also be available to organizations, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. PA ABLE prepaid cards are reloadable and offer a host of updated features, including a mobile app, the ability to set custom spending limits, the ability to restrict certain stores or transaction types, note-taking and receipt upload features, and the flexibility to order multiple cards for you and a caregiver. More details will be provided leading up to this transition.
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