Washington Saves is pending. It applies to Washington employers with 10,400+ employee-hours/yr (≈5 full-time) that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Penalty: Enacted — not assessable before 2030. Upcoming: Program launch by 2027-07-01; Employers with 20,800+ employee-hours (proposed WAC) by 2028-12-01 (proposed); All other covered employers (proposed WAC) by 2029-12-01 (proposed)..
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Washington Saves covers Washington employers with 10,400+ employee-hours/yr (≈5 full-time) that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Counting rule: Employs, and at any point during the immediately preceding calendar year employed, employees working a combined 10,400+ hours (roughly five full-time employees). Applies to employers in business for 2+ years.
The penalty is enacted for willful violations only ($100 / $250 / $500 per violation) and cannot be assessed before 2030-01-01.
Upcoming: Program launch by 2027-07-01; Employers with 20,800+ employee-hours (proposed WAC) by 2028-12-01 (proposed); All other covered employers (proposed WAC) by 2029-12-01 (proposed).
RCW 19.05.010(6), 19.05.040, 19.05.070; proposed WAC 520-01 · Official program: www.wasaves.com · Verified 2026-09-17.
Washington Saves is Washington's state-facilitated retirement savings program. It is pending. Program: https://www.wasaves.com.
Washington Saves covers Washington employers with 10,400+ employee-hours/yr (≈5 full-time) that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Counting rule: Employs, and at any point during the immediately preceding calendar year employed, employees working a combined 10,400+ hours (roughly five full-time employees). Applies to employers in business for 2+ years.
The penalty is enacted for willful violations only ($100 / $250 / $500 per violation) and cannot be assessed before 2030-01-01.
Upcoming: Program launch by 2027-07-01; Employers with 20,800+ employee-hours (proposed WAC) by 2028-12-01 (proposed); All other covered employers (proposed WAC) by 2029-12-01 (proposed).
Exempt with a qualified plan under 401(a)/401(k), 403(a)/403(b), SEP (408(k)), SIMPLE (408(p)) (may require up to one year of continuous employment). A private 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA satisfies the mandate and may qualify for SECURE 2.0 startup credits.
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