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 Let's start with a simple observation.  Most retirement conversations still revolve around the same three themes:  accumulation, income and rate of return. Those are familiar, comfortable topics. They're the backbone of how many of us were trained. But when you step back and look at the conversations we aren't having, a pattern emerges. We're not consistently talking about what happens when a client lives longer than expected, or when their independence changes, or when care needs show up in ways they never planned for. And it's not because we don't know these risks exist....

You are probably aware that Washington implemented WA Cares, the first mandatory state long-term care (LTC) program, in 2021. As a reminder, it is funded by a payroll tax on Washington workers' gross wages, without a cap on their contribution to the program. The lifetime LTC benefit amount is currently $36,500 and it may be indexed for inflation. Those who purchased a qualified long-term care product prior to November 1, 2021 were able to request a lifetime exemption from WA Cares and its payroll tax. The one-time exemption window is closed and Washington workers can no longer opt out of WA Ca...