Open for Business: Updates from OregonSaves and the Washington State Retirement Marketplace

April 18, 2018

Longer lifespans and the changing nature of work and retirement demand new, innovative ways to save and manage income before and through retirement. States have been driving change by creating public-private partnerships to expand access to retirement savings options for private-sector workers.

In the Northwest, two states — Oregon and Washington — are among the first in the nation to open new retirement savings programs. On March 19, 2018, Washington State launched its new retirement marketplace, joining Oregon’s auto-IRA program, OregonSaves, which launched in late 2017.

During this one-hour webinar, the Georgetown Center for Retirement Initiatives introduced the Washington retirement marketplace and heard from the two firms that were the first to offer IRAs and 401ks to individuals and employers through the program. In addition, OregonSaves provided an update on the program’s adoption by employers and participation by employees. Furthermore, an Oregon small business discussed how it is making the most of the simplicity and accessibility of this new program to help its workers save for retirement.

Our presenters:

  • Tobias Read, Treasurer, State of Oregon
  • Lisa Massena, Executive Director, OregonSaves
  • Hiram Towle, General Manager, Mt. Ashland Ski Area, Ashland, Oregon
  • Carolyn McKinnon, Director, Washington State Retirement Marketplace
  • Carlos Armando Garcia, Founder & CEO, Finhabits
  • Kalen Hanna, Employer Services Manager, Saturna Trust Company

Moderator: Angela M. AntonelliResearch Professor and Executive Director, Center for Retirement Initiatives, Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy