I-2124 would make Washington's long-term care program voluntary

About 13% of Washington workers decided to opt out of the state's long-term care program when they briefly had the chance three years ago. Now, a ballot measure would make the program — and its accompanying payroll tax — voluntary for anyone.

Why it matters: If Initiative 2124 passes, it could make the long-term care program insolvent by 2027, depending on how many people decide to stop participating and paying in, according to a report from the state actuary earlier this year.

Catch up quick: The long-term care program, known as WA Cares , provides eligible people with a lifetime benefit of up to $36,500, which they can use to pay for nursing care or other services they may need as they age or become disabled.

• It's funded through a 0.58% tax on worker paychecks.
• Under current law , the program is expected to be solvent through 2098, and to begin to pay out benefits starting in July 2026, per state officials .

Context: Washington became the first state in the nation to pass a long-term care insurance program in 2019.

• But more than 480,000 of the state's roughly 3.8 million workers later opted out, which they were able to do if they obtained private long-term care insurance before a November 2021 deadline .
• The window for opting out of the program has since closed for most people. Only select groups — such as disabled military veterans, military spouses and people who work in Washington but live in another state — can still get an exemption .

By the numbers: If you make $50,000 a year, you pay $290 for the tax annually, or about $24 a month. If you make $150,000, you pay $870 per year, or about $73 monthly.

What they're saying: Republicans backing I-2124 argue the long-term care program costs workers too much and doesn't offer a substantial enough benefit in return.

• They say the high number of opt-outs early on shows the program is unpopular among Washingtonians.
• "I-2124 simply offers workers a choice," Hallie Balch, spokesperson for the committee backing the I-2124 campaign, said in a video voters' guide statement.

The other side: Opponents of I-2124 say making WA Cares voluntary would effectively bankrupt the program, taking away benefits from millions of Washington residents.

• "It isn't really about giving people choices. It's a deceptive attempt to take our choices away," Marguerite Ro, AARP's Washington state director, said in a video voters' guide statement urging voters to reject the initiative.

What's next: Ballots will be mailed to registered voters around the state by Oct. 18.