Preparing for Washington Saves: What Employers Need to Know

Join the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce for an upcoming webinar to learn about Washington Saves, a new state-facilitated retirement savings program. 

Presenter: Heidi Iyall, Communications Consultant, Washington Saves
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 8:30-9:30 a.m. 

State law will require certain employers that do not offer a qualified retirement plan to facilitate employee access to Washington Saves. Those working for a non-mandated employer or who are self-employed can still enroll as individuals. 

Washington Saves is designed to be easy for bother employers and employees. There are no program fees, required contributions, or financial liability for employers. Once a business registers, employees can build long-term financial security through automatic payroll contribution into an individual retirement account (IRA). Investments will be professionally managed by a private financial firm, with oversight from a public Governing Board. 

By the end of the workshop, participants will: 

• Learn how the program works, including employer eligibility criteria, key compliance requirements, and anticipated program design features. 
• Explore ways to stay connected as the program develops, including opportunities to be a part of a pilot in early 2027.