Blog Posts

Many employees spend years preparing for retirement. They contribute to 401(k) plans, build emergency savings, and carefully plan future income. Yet one of the largest potential expenses in retirement often receives surprisingly little attention: long-term care. Unlike many financial risks, long-term care costs are difficult to predict.

Employee benefits have always evolved alongside workforce needs. Retirement plans became commonplace as life expectancy increased. Wellness programs emerged as employers recognized the value of prevention. Financial wellness initiatives expanded as organizations looked beyond traditional compensation to support employees' long-term security. Long-term care is following a similar path.

For years, long-term care planning suffered from an awareness problem. Most people understood that aging could eventually require assistance, but few considered the financial implications until a parent, spouse, or close friend experienced the need firsthand. WA Cares has changed that dynamic.

WA Cares did more than create America’s first publicly funded long-term care insurance program. It changed the marketplace for long-term care planning. It did so by creating something that never existed before—a broad foundation upon which a new generation of private supplemental long-term care products could be built.

For brokers and consultants in WA this is a positioning moment. After the dust settled on WA Cares opt-outs approximately 85% of employees were still enrolled in the program. Get ahead of the conversation with your clients and position the opportunity.

If you’re evaluating voluntary benefits in Washington, supplementing WA cares benefits should be on your radar.

From an employee perspective, WA Cares is a starting point—not a full plan. What I’m hearing more often: “I’m glad I have something… but I don’t think it’s enough.”

There’s a window right now in Washington. Employees are aware. They’re asking questions. They’re trying to understand their WA Cares benefit and how SPLTCI can help.

WA Cares standardized the baseline. Now employers have a choice: Do nothing… or differentiate.

The gap between WA Cares and real long term care costs can be significant. Learn more about supplementing with SPLTCI.

Thanks to WA Cares people are paying attention to long term care. Now learn why interest is growing in Supplemental Private Long Term Care Insurance.