Washington state to delay assessing long-term care premiums

Washington state to delay assessing long-term care premiums
Gov. Jay Inslee says legislators need time to refine the program, the Washington Cares Fund.
DEC 17, 2021

Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee and the state’s legislative leaders have agreed to delay assessing premiums for the state’s long-term care fund until legislators can make refinements to the Long-Term Services and Supports Act, which created the fund in 2019.

Premium assessments for the Washington Cares Fund were supposed to begin in January.

“I am taking measures within my authority and ordering the state Employment Security Department not to collect the premiums from this program from employers before they come due in April," Inslee said in a statement. "While legislation is under consideration to pause the withholding of LTC fees, employers will not be subject to penalties and interest for not withholding fees from employees' wages during this transition."

In response to the glaring need for long-term care and many people's inability to pay for that care, Washington Cares was to collect a premium of 53 cents on every $100 earned by most workers, with the tax proceeds going to set up a fund that would start making payments in 2025. The Washington Cares fund would be available only to those who have contributed.

Latest News

Maryland bars advisor over charging excessive fees to clients
Maryland bars advisor over charging excessive fees to clients

Blue Anchor Capital Management and Pickett also purchased “highly aggressive and volatile” securities, according to the order.

Wave of SEC appointments signals regulatory shift with implications for financial advisors
Wave of SEC appointments signals regulatory shift with implications for financial advisors

Reshuffle provides strong indication of where the regulator's priorities now lie.

US insurers want to take a larger slice of the retirement market through the RIA channel
US insurers want to take a larger slice of the retirement market through the RIA channel

Goldman Sachs Asset Management report reveals sharpened focus on annuities.

Why DA Davidson's wealth vice chairman still follows his dad's investment advice
Why DA Davidson's wealth vice chairman still follows his dad's investment advice

Ahead of Father's Day, InvestmentNews speaks with Andrew Crowell.

401(k) participants seek advice, but few turn to financial advisors
401(k) participants seek advice, but few turn to financial advisors

Cerulli research finds nearly two-thirds of active retirement plan participants are unadvised, opening a potential engagement opportunity.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today’s choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave