Financial & Long-Term Planning for Special Needs Futures – Overview

Quick Overview

Mary Anne Ehlert, President and Founder of Protected Tomorrows, provides an overview of the 8-step special needs planning process in a webinar titled “Financial & long-term planning for special needs futures.” The webinar covers topics such as government benefits, legal considerations, the ABLE Act, retirement planning, and more. Ehlert emphasizes the importance of creating a plan for oneself, understanding government benefits, and involving future guardians in the planning process. She also encourages participants to document important information about their child’s medical care, social life, and safety routines. The webinar concludes with a call to action for participants to commit to completing the first step of the planning process and to email their commitment to Ehlert. The webinar is part of the 2021 ASF Virtual Family Conference.

Welcome to the Protected Tomorrows webinar on the 8-Step Special Needs Planning Process. In this overview session, we will cover the key topics that will be discussed in more detail in the upcoming classes.

Introduction

Mary Anne Ehlert, President and Founder of Protected Tomorrows, introduces herself and shares her personal experience with special needs planning. She emphasizes the importance of creating a full and happy life for individuals with special needs, while also ensuring their safety and financial security.

Class Overview

Ehlert provides an overview of the topics that will be covered in the upcoming classes:

1. Government Benefits: Detailed discussion on SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Medicare.
2. Legal Considerations: Special needs trusts, guardianship, and the ABLE Act.
3. ABLE Act: Understanding the federal law, state differences, and pros and cons.
4. Retirement Planning: How retirement impacts the financial future of individuals with special needs.
5. Live Q&A Session: An opportunity to ask questions and get personalized advice.

Taking Action

Ehlert encourages participants to take action and commit to one specific task or goal related to special needs planning. She suggests writing down important information about their child’s medical care, social life, routines, and safety measures. She also introduces the concept of a “guilt card,” where individuals can write down their commitments and email them to her for accountability.

Conclusion

Ehlert concludes the overview session by thanking participants and inviting them to attend the upcoming classes and the live Q&A session. She emphasizes the importance of taking steps towards financial and long-term planning for the future of individuals with special needs.