Key points
- California Treasurer Fiona Ma shares how ScholarShare 529, CalKIDS, and CalABLE help families build long-term savings.
- CalABLE CEO Thomas Martin explains how disability savings can support education, independence, and financial stability.
- Treasurer Ma shares with The College Investor her goals of lobbying for a tax deduction or tax credit for 529 plan contributions.
California offers many powerful programs that help families save for education, support people with disabilities, and build financial stability — but a large percentage of the population doesn’t know they exist.
In this episode, Robert Farrington sits down with California State Treasurer Fiona Ma and CalABLE CEO Thomas Martin to explain how ScholarShare 529, CalKIDS, and CalABLE work, who they are designed to help, and why sharing is important.
Treasurer Ma talks about her path from CPA to treasurer, the financial habits that shaped her career, and the work her team does to make these programs more accessible. It also provides insight into ongoing efforts to offer tax incentives for 529 contributions and explains why small, consistent saving can create real change for a child’s future.
Thomas Martin joins the discussion to explain how ABLE plans give people with disabilities the opportunity to save and invest without losing important benefits, and how families can use both CalABLE and ScholarShare together.
This conversation provides clear information for parents, students, and anyone curious about the future of education provision in California.
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Episode summary
Robert speaks with California Treasurer Fiona Ma and CalABLE Executive Director Thomas Martin about college savings, disability savings, and financial empowerment programs available to families statewide. The talk explores:
- Scholar 529
- Calkids
- Executable
- How does the state support early saving?
- Political changes are on the horizon
- The psychology of saving from birth
- Ways families can advocate for better tax treatment
- How CalABLE fits into planning for people with disabilities
- Tips and insights from the cashier’s financial habits
Key moments and topics covered
Are you looking for a specific moment?
3:20 – How did the cashier begin his work?
5:18 – What does the state treasurer do? How does she manage the $3 trillion flowing through her desk?
7:35 – How families can save for education. Understand Scholarshare 529, CalKids, and the free money available to families in California.
11:50 – New savings programs: CalSavers
13:57 – Thomas Martin, CalABLE Executive Director, joins to discuss ABLE plans
16:50 – Benefits and logistics of using an ABLE plan
20:00 – Rules for ABLE plans
25:05 – Is a 529 plan still worth it? How a Treasurer Encourages a 529 Gifting Plan.
28:47 – What is the possibility of California offering a state tax deduction for 529 plan contributions?
30:57 – Why isn’t California in line with the federal 529 plan qualified expense rules?
34:35 – California Hope accounts Coming in Q1 2026
37:28 – What advice would you give to high school students starting their financial journey?
39:25 – What is your favorite money trick?
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Editor: Tyler Buss
The post Treasurer Fiona Ma About College Savings, CalABLE, and More appeared first on The College Investor.
