• Those who are eligible receive up to $36,500 (adjusted each year for inflation) throughout their lives, starting in July 2026.
• Nearly 13% of Washington’s employees purchased LTCi or Life insurance with LTC riders to opt out of the fund.
• Carriers were initially overwhelmed by demand but have since returned to the Washington LTC Market. Products now are focused on group or on high premium individual options.

Because of the sales increase in Washington, the LTCi market increased by more than 200%.

• Those who are eligible receive up to $36,500 (adjusted each year for inflation) throughout their lives, starting in July 2026.
• Nearly 13% of Washington’s employees purchased LTCi or Life insurance with LTC riders to opt out of the fund.
• Carriers were initially overwhelmed by demand but have since returned to the Washington LTC Market. Products now are focused on group or on high premium individual options.

Because of the sales increase in Washington, the LTCi market increased by more than 200%.

Similar to Washington Cares Fund, there is the California Long Term Care Insurance Task Force. Like Washington, California has begun a payroll tax for the LTCi which can potentially be opted out of only if there is another provider of LTCi.

The most comprehensive CA benefit design covers $144,000. In contrast, a 30-year, 3-year long-term care claim event costs around $1,000,000.

• The employer and the worker could each pay the payroll tax, and five possible exemptions are being examined
• California has 16.5 million employees, more than four times the number in Washington
• The state might change its mind about moving up the deadline for buying private insurance policies eligible for opting out

California has fewer group and individual products and carriers than Washington. California is the most populous state with 6 million employees, which is four times that of Washington. Individual and group products with qualifying LTC riders are likely in short supply in California.

Due to state product approval delays, California has fewer group and individual products and carriers than Washington. Selling coverage now will get you ahead of the increase in demand that will likely come if the law is passed.

Similar to the Washington Cares Act, there is the New York Long Term Care Trust Act. In this draft, there is a payroll tax on earned income giving a $36,500 benefit for LTCi for life, and the option to opt out if LTCi is in place in the year prior to the law.

New York has fewer group and individual insurance products and carriers than Washington state, and more than double their working population. If the draft passes and causes demand to increase like in Washington State, underwriting will presumably be backed up.

Similar to the Washington Cares Act, Pennsylvania’s Long Term Care Trust Act (HB 2779), is LTC funded through the individual’s payroll at .58%. The draft shows up to $36,500 maximum lifetime benefits with claims based on three ADLs.

The long-term care state payroll tax may be exempt, but details are scarce. Regardless of state payroll tax or exemption, meaningful coverage should be discussed.

Similar to the Washington Cares Act, HF 1664 was proposed in 2021. This tax funded LTCi provides 365 $100 benefit units and there is at this time no exception exists but this may change as the bill moves forward.

There are still many choices in the land of 10,000 lakes, such as lifestyle plans that combine term life insurance and long-term care insurance.