Earn 30% to 50% Annual Refunds on Paid Washington State Workers' Compensation Premiums


Businesses operating in Washington State face unique workers' compensation requirements under the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).  Because Washington operates as a monopolistic state fund, standard commercial insurance carriers cannot be used—making proactive claims management and workplace safety critical to controlling your insurance overhead.


Through the Washington State L&I Retrospective Rating ("Retro") Program, qualified employers have the opportunity to earn substantial financial refunds—often ranging from 30% to 50% of paid L&I premiums annually—by maintaining superior workplace safety records and managing claims effectively.


At Assured Safety Management, our Retro consulting services guide your company through program qualification, group selection, and performance optimization to maximize your yearly refund potential.


What is the WA L&I Retrospective Rating Program?


The Retrospective Rating program is a safety incentive initiative created by Washington State L&I.  It compares an employer’s (or group’s) actual worker injury claim costs against the total premiums paid over a specified coverage period.


When your business successfully prevents workplace injuries, implements prompt light-duty return-to-work programs, and keeps overall claim costs below state benchmarks, L&I returns the unspent premium portion back to you as a cash refund.

How Our Retro Consulting Services Maximize Your Refunds


Qualifying for the Retro program is only the first step.  To consistently secure top-tier refunds year after year, your business requires active safety oversight and aggressive claims mitigation.  Assured Safety Management provides comprehensive consulting across every stage of the process:


1. Retro Group Assessment & Selection


For most small-to-medium businesses, joining a sponsored Retro Group (an association of similar businesses pooling their premiums) yields the highest and most consistent returns.  We analyze your industry risk class, loss history, and payroll to match your business with the best-performing Retro group for your sector.


2. Aggressive Claims Mitigation & Light-Duty Strategies


Uncontrolled claim costs quickly erode your potential refund check.  We work directly with attending physicians, vocational counselors, and L&I claim managers to establish physician-approved light-duty positions—keeping injured workers productive and keeping claim costs off your Retro evaluation record.


3. Unlocking WA L&I Employer Reimbursements


We help you stack your Retro refunds with additional Washington State incentive programs, such as the Stay at Work Program, which provides:

  • 50% Wage Reimbursements: Up to $25,000 per injured employee for light-duty wages.


  • Equipment Subsidies: Up to $5,000 for tools, equipment, or workplace modifications.


  • Training & Gear Subsidies: Up to $2,000 for job retraining and $1,000 for required safety clothing.


4. Proactive On-Site Safety Audits


Preventing the injury is always more profitable than managing the claim.  Our partnered safety experts conduct on-site facility and jobsite inspections to identify compliance hazards, update your required OSHA/DOSH written safety plans, and eliminate accident risks before they occur.

Fuel Your Retro Performance with Interactive Safety Training


A strong safety culture is the foundation of any high-performing Retro strategy. Educate your workforce with our flexible, cost-effective online safety training platform:


  • Pay-Per-Pass Pricing: You only pay for a safety course after your employee successfully passes their final exam—featuring unlimited free retries.


  • Interactive Learning vs. Passive Video: Engaging, checkpoint-based safety modules ensure your workforce demonstrates true proficiency on the job site.


  • 24/7 Multi-Device Access: Employees can complete self-paced training from any desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.


  • 215 Global Courses: Fully OSHA and DOSH-compliant training available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, and Arabic—including CPR and First Aid Certifications.


  • IACET Accredited: Over 200 of our courses are IACET-accredited, allowing your team to earn valuable Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

Find Out How Much Your Company Could Be Earning Back


Stop overpaying for Washington State workers' compensation insurance.  Contact Assured Safety Management today to learn how our Retrospective Rating consulting can turn your safety record into a major revenue recovery channel.