START retirement bill good for Washington

Originally published in The News Tribune

Terry Gardiner

The state House of Representatives’ recent passage of the Save Toward a Retirement Today (START) bill is a step in the right direction for Washington’s small businesses and their workers. START would help small employers by giving them the option of creating a simple, state-managed retirement account for their employees and themselves.

Small Business Majority found a staggering 85 percent of small business owners believe Washingtonians will not have enough money saved for the future, and three-fourths think the state should do more to help workers prepare for retirement. That’s why two-thirds of our state’s entrepreneurs support the START bill.

Too many Washingtonians won’t have the money to cover basic living expenses during retirement. This will strain state services – something we can’t afford now, and certainly not in the future. We hope the state Senate will take the House’s lead and pass the START bill soon, so all Washingtonians have the opportunity to save for their golden years.

(Gardiner is vice president of policy and strategy with the Small Business Majority.)

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