PLAN of Massachusetts manages two special needs pooled trusts. The trusts are used to protect financial resources, including present and future entitlements, and enhance quality of life for individuals with disabilities:

> the MARC Special Needs Pooled Trust is funded with assets belonging to the individual with a disability, assets often obtained through an inheritance or personal injury settlement

> the PLAN Third-Party Special Needs Pooled Trust is funded with assets belonging to families or other third parties to benefit a person with a life long disability.

Investments in both trusts are professionally managed by Cambridge Appleton Trust National Association (CATNA), a national trust company located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. CATNA is a joint venture of Cambridge Savings Bank and Appleton Partners. They bring together institutional strength, professional expertise, and a commitment to client services.

To request a detailed informational packet, including fee schedules, disbursement guidelines, and applications, please e-mail info@planofma.org or call 617-244-5552. Please specify which trust you are interested in (MARC or Third-Party).

The MARC Special Needs Pooled Trust

This is the oldest and largest Pooled Trust in Massachusetts. Established in 1995, this Pooled Trust is funded with assets belonging to the individual with a disability, assets often obtained through an inheritance or personal injury settlement. It is also known as a "self-settled trust," a "Medicaid payback trust," or a "(d)(4)(C) trust." Nearly 300 beneficiaries currently participate in this pooled trust, and total assets exceed $13 million.

With this type of trust, upon the death of the trust beneficiary:

1. 25% of any remaining funds are distributed to PLAN of Massachusetts to be used for its charitable purposes, and
2. Medicaid is entitled to be "paid back" the amount of the actual Medicaid benefits that the beneficiary received during his or her lifetime.
3. Any remaining funds (after 1 and 2) are distributed to the remainder person(s) designated by the Trust beneficiary.

The PLAN of Massachusetts Third Party Pooled Trust

This is the organization's newest program. It is funded with assets belonging to families or other third parties to benefit a person with a life long disability. Funding can come from a variety of sources, including a Will, an insurance policy, or savings. If assets will not become available until sometime in the future, donors open a future-funded account. Families choose this option so that they can make sure the trust is set up properly while they are still living and so they can put in writing, through the Life Care Plan, their wishes for the future well-being of their family member with a disability. Approximately 20 families have joined this pooled trust. Eight accounts are currently funded, and total assets exceed $250,000.

The Third Party Pooled Trust is not a payback trust. There is no requirement that government benefits that the beneficiary received be repaid upon the death of the Trust beneficiary. Although there is no requirement that PLAN of Massachusetts retain any percentage of remaining funds upon the death of the beneficiary we encourage donors to voluntarily agree to leave a percentage of those remaining funds to PLAN of Massachusetts.

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