National ABLE Plan for Individuals
Omaha, Neb. (June 30, 2016) – The long-awaited Enable Savings Plan for qualifying individuals with disabilities in Nebraska and nationwide was launched today by Nebraska State Treasurer Don Stenberg and First National Bank of Omaha in a celebration at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha.
Jacob Gehringer of Omaha, a Nebraska native and advocate for the disability community, was the first to open an Enable account during the celebration, which was attended by more than 450 guests, most of whom were individuals with disabilities and their families.
Among the guests were Nebraska Lt. Gov. Mike Foley, who proclaimed June 30 as “Enable Day,” and Nebraska Sen. Kate Bolz of Lincoln, author of state legislation in 2015 that resulted in the creation of the Enable Savings Plan.
In addition to state officials and bank representatives were state and national advocates including Autism Speaks and the National Disability Institute; Jacob Gehringer and his fellow 11 “Enable Heroes” and their families; and Jason Gieschen of Ogallala, Nebraska, the Sargent Shriver International Global Messenger for Special Olympics.
The Enable Savings Plan provides qualifying individuals with disabilities an opportunity to save for the future and pay for everyday expenses in tax-advantaged savings accounts. Eligible individuals living in Nebraska or in any other state in the United States may open accounts online or by mail starting today by visiting EnableSavings.com.
Treasurer Stenberg is Trustee of the Enable Savings Plan, and First National Bank of Omaha is Program Manager.
“In the past individuals with disabilities have had few options to save, but today marks a turning point,” said Clark Lauritzen, Executive Vice President, Corporate Banking, Wealth, Investments, First National Bank of Omaha. “At First National, we have a history of doing what’s right for our customers and the communities we serve. We are proud to be the first bank in the country to offer an ABLE plan nationwide, and we look forward to helping people with disabilities achieve their hopes and dreams.”
“This is a momentous day for the people of Nebraska. After more than a year of meticulous planning, we are proud to announce the nationwide launch of the Enable Savings Plan for individuals with qualifying disabilities living in Nebraska or elsewhere in the United States,” said Nebraska State Treasurer Stenberg.
“We are excited to be a leader in offering these tax-advantaged savings accounts for children and adults with qualifying disabilities to save and invest their money without jeopardizing benefits they may receive through public assistance programs like Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. We also are excited to be signing up our first account owners, and we wish them well as they take these long-awaited steps toward financial well-being, increasing self-sufficiency, and greater independence,” Stenberg said.
The Enable Savings Plan was created by First National Bank and the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office in partnership with families and national and state disability advocates and providers and was designed to meet the unique needs of account owners. Intended to provide greater financial independence for individuals with disabilities, the Enable Savings Plan offers a variety of low-cost investment options from which account owners can choose to meet their needs, based on age, personal circumstances, and savings goals.
With today’s launch of the Enable Savings Plan, First National Bank is the first financial institution in the country to develop and offer an ABLE plan in cooperation with state government.
“The Enable Savings Plan allows people with disabilities and their families to save as much as $100,000 without losing Social Security benefits. Helping people feel secure in their financial future is what we have strived to achieve. Throughout the last seven months, I have been humbled by the many sincere, authentic, and personal stories from future account owners and the importance of Enable to them. We are delighted to be part of their lives and to provide an opportunity to help people with disabilities become as self-sufficient as possible,” Deborah Goodkin, Managing Director, Savings Plans, First National Bank, said in a prepared statement.
Also in a prepared statement, Rachel Biar, director of the Enable Savings Plan for the Treasurer’s Office, said the following: “Through the many contributions of colleagues and members of the disability community and their families, we have achieved a significant milestone. As I watched Jacob Gehringer open the very first Enable account today, I was filled with pride in how far we’ve come, as well as excitement for the future goals and aspirations we have for the Enable Savings Plan.”
The Enable Savings Plan came about as a result of the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience Act – known as ABLE – passed by Congress in 2014. The act was modeled after state-sponsored 529 college savings programs, like the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust (NEST). College savings programs take their name from Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. ABLE programs fall under Section 529A of the IRS Code. Treasurer Stenberg is also Trustee of NEST, and First National is Program Manager for NEST.
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. To enroll, go to EnableSavings.com.
About the Enable Savings Plan
Enable is a tax-advantaged savings plan to help make saving simple and affordable for individuals with disabilities. The Nebraska State Treasurer 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 is the largest privately owned banking company in the United States. First National and its affiliates have $20 billion in managed assets and 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota and Texas.
Investments Are Not FDIC Insured* No Bank, State or Federal Guarantee May Lose Value
*Except the Bank Savings and Checking Account Options
CASA RECRUITMENT BEGINS
Cass Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is currently recruiting CASA advocates to speak up for the best interest of abused and neglected children in Cass County.
The next training session is scheduled to begin July 24 and will run for five weeks. The training consists of 15 hours of online training and 15 hours of in-person training.
We are also seeking male volunteers for this class as over 60% of our CASA children are males.
If you are interested, please contact Debbie Green at (402) 296-9521; email dgreen@casscasa.org.
To learn more information about our program, please visit www.casscasa.org
JOB OPPORTUNITY
St. John the Baptist School is an elementary Catholic school in Plattsmouth, NE.
Immediate openings are now available for both an After-School Care DirectorFor required qualifications, please refer to holyspiritplattsmouth.com
OR call Principal, Linda Monahan, at 402-296-6230.
SURROUNDING COMMUNITY EVENTS:
20th ANNUAL SHCOOLHOUSE FIDDLING
Sunday, October 9, 2:30 PM, 20th A BEEnnual Schoolhouse Fiddling Bee
Greenblatt & Seay proudly announce the 20th ANNUAL SCHOOLHOUSE FIDDLING BEE. This historical, hysterical event will take place on Sunday, October 9, at 2:30 PM, downstairs in the Old Avoca, Nebraska Schoolhouse. In the Open Division, fiddlers will play a hoedown, a waltz, and a tune of choice. There will also be other divisions of competition available for the adventurous fiddlers, including a Singing Fiddler's Contest, a Twin Fiddler's Contest, a Fee-Fi-Faux Fiddler's Contest (fiddle tunes played on any instrument other than a fiddle), and a Hocus-Pocus Contest (cross-tuning, sound effects, dancing, etc.), which will give fiddlers an opportunity to play tunes that are usually not allowed in any other contest.
For more information, and to register on line, log on to: http://www.greenblattandseay.com/schoolhouse_fiddling_bee.shtml.
Admission is $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students, and $1.00 for children. Fiddlers and their back-ups are admitted for free. The contest will be followed by a light snack and an acoustic jam session with Greenblatt & Seay.
For more information, call 402-275-3221, log on to www.greenblattandseay.com, or e-mail debby@greenblattandseay.com.
Weeping Water City Pool
311 W. River St.
Weeping Water, NE
Hours of Operation:
Everyday 1-6 PM
Tuesday & Thursday (fitness swim 6-7 for 18 and older)
Prices: Family Pass - $140
Single Pass - $90
10 card Punch - $35
Single Pass - $4
Family Pass is for immediate family members. Pass includes 2 parents and up to 5 children under 18 years of age living at home. Additional family members $20 per child.
Nanny Pass can be added onto a family pass for $40 (this only be usable when coming with paying family)
Monday, July 11 - Friday, July 15, 9 AM - 1 PM, Schoolhouse Fiddle Camp for Intermediate and Advanced Fiddlers, The Old Avoca Schoolhouse, Avoca, NE. Register at http://www.greenblattandseay.com/schoolhouse_fiddle_camp_signup-summer.shtml
ONGOING EVENTS...
Cass County Veterans Service Office's
three mobile locations:
1st Friday of the month, Eagle community center, 1-5pm
2nd Friday of the month, Weeping Water library, 1-5pm
3rd Friday of the month, Greenwood library, 1-5pm
Please call our office, 402-296-9368, to schedule an appointment.
ARE YOU 55+
and
LOOKING FOR PART-TIME WORK?
The following is an employment opportunity available to older adults in Cass County.
Experience Works is a national, non-profit organization funded by the US Dept of Labor to administer the Senior Community Service Employment Program, which assists people 55 and older in getting updated training to assist in returning to the workforce. This is a federally funded program and offers a no-cost employment service to older adults who qualify. Once accepted into the program, individuals are placed in a training site in or near their community, where they gain on the job experience while working 20-21 hours/week at $8/hour. We also help with skill assessments, computer training, resumes, cover letters, job search, etc. The goal is that through the training and job search assistance we gain help older adults gain good jobs in or around their communities.
Stephanie Mahony
Employment and Training Coordinator
Experience Works, Inc.
1111 "O" Street Ste 205--American Job Center
Lincoln, NE 68508
Phone: 402-441-1654
Fax: 402-441-6038
stephanie_mahony@experienceworks.org
Nebraska Tollfree Number: 1-877-314-7526
www.KeepCassCountyBeautiful.org
Community Sustaining Sponsors 2016
2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
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2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
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2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
2016 Community Sustaining Sponsor
HOW TO SUBMIT ARTICLES TO THIS NEWSLETTER...
Below is a list of categories that we are happy to post, (at NO COST to you!), in the weekly Murray online newsletter:
Weddings
Engagements
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Births
Letters to the Editor
Birthday Greeting
Upcoming Events
Cards of Thanks
Lost and Found
Obituaries
Recipes
Photos
and So Much More!
That's right! These are all items that can appear FREE of CHARGE in each Wednesday's Murray Newsletter and/or Calendar! All YOU have to do is send the information to us - it's that simple!
DEADLINE for submissions to each week's Wednesday Newsletter is NO LATER THAN NOON on the preceding MONDAY.
There are 3 ways you can submit your articles:
1) You may call your information to 402-235-2926 and leave a voice mail with your name and phone number.
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Thanks for helping to keep YOUR Murray Newsletter fresh and up-to-date!
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