Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts - What Everyone Needs to Know — McKenna Autism Consulting Webinar Series

Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts - What Everyone Needs to Know

Presented by Michael Ringel, CPA, Chartered Special Needs Consultant at Special Needs Wealth Planning.

About the speaker

Michael Ringel is a seasoned financial professional who has dedicated over
two decades to empowering individuals and families, especially those
caring for loved ones with disabilities, with thoughtful, values-driven
financial strategies. As a Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC),
Michael is deeply committed to helping families of individuals with special
needs plan for the future with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Michael is a frequent speaker on special needs financial planning,
presenting annually at the New Jersey Autism Conference, the New Jersey
State Society of CPAs, and through national webinars hosted by
organizations such as the Autism Society, GiGi’s Playhouse, and The ARC of
New Jersey. He is also a sought-after guest on podcasts covering financial
literacy and special needs advocacy.

He is the author of a free book Planning for Two Lifetimes - http://www.planningfortwolifetimes.com

Session description

“Will my child be okay… financially and in life… when I’m no longer here?”

The answer often comes down to how well you understand and use two critical tools:

Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts.

You’ll learn:

- The difference between a Special Needs Trust and an ABLE account (and when to use each)
- What a trustee can and cannot pay for without jeopardizing SSI or Medicaid
- How to use trust assets to improve your child’s quality of life
- Common mistakes families make that can unintentionally jeopardize government benefits
- How to coordinate your overall plan so everything works together.

Most parents we speak with feel overwhelmed, confused, and unsure where to start.

Our goal is to help you move from uncertainty to clarity—so you can begin putting a plan in place with confidence.

Whether you’re just getting started or want to make sure you’re on the right track, this session will give you the knowledge and peace of mind you’ve been looking for.

What you'll learn

• No plan is NOT an option
• It is important to work with a financial advisor who has experience working with families with a child with special needs
• Third party special needs trust are important and should not be funded until the parents die
• Proper planning will provide you with peace of mind and allow you to sleep at night
• You can retire without compromise and leave a legacy for your family, the right way

Fall 2026 Webinar Lineup

Join McKenna Autism Consulting for three practical evenings focused on college, transition, and adulthood planning for neurodiverse individuals and their families.

• September 23 — Laura McKenna, PhD, CEO and Founder, McKenna Autism Consulting: What Happens After High School? Pathways to Adulthood
• October 28 — Carmen Zahra, M.Ed., National Director of Outreach, College Living Experience (CLE): The Roadmap After High School: Transition Planning for Neurodiverse Families
• November 18 — Michael Ringel, CPA, Chartered Special Needs Consultant, Special Needs Wealth Planning: Special Needs Trusts & ABLE Accounts - What Everyone Needs to Know

View the full lineup and register at mckennaautism.com/events-webinars.

Learn more about McKenna Autism Consulting