Washington Saves is in development with expected rollout in 2027. Seattle-area employers have time to act proactively — setting up a private plan now locks in SECURE 2.0 tax credits.
Get Your Free Washington Compliance Audit →Washington Saves is Washington's state-mandated retirement savings program. Washington Saves is in development with expected rollout in 2027. Seattle-area employers have time to act proactively — setting up a private plan now locks in SECURE 2.0 tax credits.
Employers who already offer a qualifying private retirement plan — such as a 401(k), SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA — are exempt from Washington Saves requirements.
Learn more at the official state portal: https://www.wasaves.com
Option 1 — Enroll in Washington Saves: Register through the state portal and facilitate payroll deductions. This fulfills the mandate but doesn't maximize tax savings.
Option 2 — Set up a private plan (recommended): A qualifying 401(k), SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA exempts you from the mandate AND qualifies you for up to $15,000 in SECURE 2.0 Act tax credits over 3 years.
Key difference: A private plan belongs to your company. CalSavers/state plans do not. Private plans also attract and retain better employees.
The SECURE 2.0 Act (2023) gives small business owners massive tax credits for starting a retirement plan:
✅ Up to $5,000/year for 3 years for plan startup costs
✅ $1,000 per employee/year for employer contributions (up to 50 employees)
For many Washington small businesses, this makes a private 401(k) free or nearly free — while exempting you from Washington Saves requirements entirely.
Washington Saves is expected to launch in 2027. Employee threshold and penalty amounts are still being finalized.
Acting now is smart. Setting up a private plan before the mandate qualifies you for SECURE 2.0 credits and builds employee loyalty.
401(k), SEP IRA, and SIMPLE IRA plans all qualify as exemptions. Many Seattle small businesses are using SECURE 2.0 credits to fund plans at zero net cost.
Find out exactly what Washington Saves means for your business — and whether a private plan saves you more money than enrolling in the state program.
Book Your Free 15-Minute Audit →