Encore: Work that matters in the second half of life.

IBM is gaining political support for its company-matched employee savings accounts for education and training, aka “encore accounts.”

Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., sent a letter to colleagues seeking support for legislation that would provide a federal tax break for such accounts, perhaps similar to the provisions for 401k retirement account, which allow employees to make pre-tax contributions.

“Now more than ever, workers must continually update their skills and seek any opportunity that allows them to develop abilities that will be valued by a wide range of employers,” Emanuel wrote, according to a report on the website of CFO magazine. “Workers that invest and innovate in their own human capital will do well in a global economy. Unfortunately, many workers today don’t have the resources to seek out new skills or opportunities.”

Emanuel’s legislation goes even further than IBM’s program, which is capped at employees contributions of $1,000 per year. Emanuel’s proposal would allow employees to contribute up to $2,500 annually.