Betsy Larson - Special Needs Advanced Planning

10/08/2026

Meet Sammy! Calendar keeper, dedicated worker, and proof that working and benefits CAN go together 🗓 💙💛

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10/01/2026

Happy Down syndrome Awareness Month 💙💛

All October I am going to be introducing you to my lovely sisters with Down syndrome and giving you planning tips that were inspired by each of them. How are YOU going to celebrate this month?

06/10/2026

If you've set up a special needs trust for a loved one, first of all, that's a big deal. A lot of families never get there.

But here's something I talk about a lot with the families I work with: setting up the trust is only half the job.

The IRS treats trusts very differently than individuals. A trust can hit the top 37% federal tax rate with as little as $16,000 of income in a year. And because of the rules around special needs trusts, trustees often can't simply pay that income out to the beneficiary without risking their Medicaid or SSI benefits so it sits inside the trust and gets taxed hard.

In my latest blog, I break down exactly where these tax issues come from and why so many families don't realize it's happening until it's already cost them.

Part 2 with the solutions is coming next week. But if you want to talk through your family's specific situation before then, my door is open.

🔗 [Link in comments]

05/28/2026

Welcome! I'm so glad you found this page.
My name is Betsy Larson. I'm a Special Needs Financial Advisor, and I have four sisters with Down syndrome, one with a Down syndrome - Autism dual diagnosis. My sisters are the foundation behind the work I do.
This page is for families who have a loved one with a disability and are trying to figure out the financial side of it all - the benefits, the trusts, the ABLE accounts, the housing questions, the 'what happens when we're gone' conversation that keeps you up at night.
I'm here to make that less overwhelming.
Every week I share practical, free information about:
→ SSI and Medicaid — the rules that govern almost every financial decision
→ Special Needs Trusts and ABLE accounts
→ Childhood Disability Benefits most families never claim
→ Housing options for adults with disabilities
→ How to earn income without losing benefits
→ How to build a plan that actually works for the entire family
If you have a question, drop it in the comments or send me a message. I read everything.
And if you'd like to talk through your family's specific situation, my first consultation is always free. Link below.
https://www.elizabethjlarson.com/schedule-meeting
Welcome to the community. 💙

05/07/2025

☀️Bocce, sunshine, and smiles! I took Jayne and Agnes to a Special Olympics Bocce tournament today. It was a few hours of laughter, kindness, and incredible sportsmanship.

Watching these athletes cheer each other on reminded me why thoughtful planning matters so much. It’s not just about finances - it’s about making sure our loved ones with disabilities always have access to community, purpose, and joy.

These are the moments we’re planning for…