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Building wealth in Washington requires smart planning. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your finances to the next level, a disciplined approach can help you grow your money and protect it against risk – including inflation, taxes, real estate values and job market fluctuations. So, if you’re wondering how to accumulate wealth in Washington, we’ll show you what moves you can consider making now, and why having a personalized financial plan can make all the difference.

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1. ELIMINATE HIGH-INTEREST DEBT IN WASHINGTON

You can’t build wealth if your savings are constantly drained by debt. Credit card debt is the most insidious, as it typically has a high interest rate that can trap you in a vicious cycle.

Washington residents have a relatively high level of credit card use, and the high cost of living, especially in King County locations like Mercer Island, Seattle, Medina, Bellevue and Kirkland, might encourage you to whip out the plastic more often than you should. All in all, credit card holders in Washington had an average balance of $6,975 in 2024.

Focus on eliminating your credit card debt before you start investing. Here’s one popular strategy: If you have multiple cards, pay more on the one with the highest rate first; then when that’s paid off, move to the next highest and so on. Always pay at least the minimum on your lower interest cards.

On the other hand, auto, college and mortgage loans typically have much lower interest rates and in the case of mortgages can contribute to building home equity, so you should pay those according to schedule. Unless you already have your other debts covered and you have substantial cash reserves, don’t be tempted to pay off these types of debts early.

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2. BUILD EMERGENCY CASH RESERVES FOR WASHINGTON LIVING COSTS

The amount you should keep in cash reserves depends on two factors – your monthly expenses and the stability of your income. So, consider:

• What are your mandatory monthly living expenses? Unfortunately, Washington has one of the highest costs of living in the U.S. (with an average rent of $2,100 and a home value of over $611k, according to Zillow), so your expenses are likely to be more than others around the country.
• How stable is your income? For example, are layoffs possible? Are you a business owner with fluctuating income or rental income? The more stable your income, the lower your reserves can be.
• Do you have any large, one-time expenses coming up?

Generally, your reserves should be somewhere between three and 24 months’ worth of spending, depending on how stable your income is. Be thoughtful about where you keep your cash – make sure your choice matches your needs and you’re getting a good yield.

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3. MAXIMIZE WASHINGTON RETIREMENT OPPORTUNITIES

After addressing your emergency fund, you can shift your focus to retirement planning. Your employer’s retirement plan is a great place to start. Many employers allow you to contribute to a 401k plan or 403b and offer a match on some of the money you save. If you can’t max out your contributions, try to contribute at least enough to earn your employer match (it’s free money, after all). Then, consider increasing the amount every year until you reach the maximum. Make sure to operate within your comfort zone and make only pretax contributions.

If you’re married and one spouse does not have a retirement plan at work, consider investing in a spousal IRA as part of your financial planning. The self-employed have options too, so don’t forgo this valuable savings vehicle. The more money you save, the more money you can accumulate, which can bring you closer to financial freedom.

In Washington, many of the top employers are in the technology and aerospace fields, including giants like Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing. The University of Washington in Seattle is also among the biggest employers in the state. If you work there, you may have access to a defined benefit or pension plan, which can give you a guaranteed income stream in retirement once you qualify. That income can be a significant boost to your retirement security.

If you’re retiring in Washington, here’s some additional good news: Because Washington has no state income tax, it doesn’t tax Social Security payments. And if you’re lucky enough to have a government pension, those payments are also state tax-exempt.

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4. INVEST IN IRAS FOR TAX EFFICIENCY IN WASHINGTON

With no state income tax, Washington is generally considered tax friendly. While that also means no state tax on short-term capital gains, Washington’s 7% tax on long-term capital gains above $270,000 sets it apart from other tax-free states. In addition, Washington’s 9.47% average combined state and local sales tax rate ranks among the nation’s highest. And of course, you’ll still have federal taxes to contend with. So you’ll want to create tax strategies that help you get the most from your wealth.

One of the best ways to continue to lower taxes while also bulking up retirement savings is to invest in an IRA every year. Depending on your adjusted gross income, you and/or your spouse may still be eligible to contribute to a deductible IRA even after contributing the maximum to your company retirement plan. Deductible IRAs offer two major benefits: you get a tax deduction for the money you contribute; and any interest, dividends or capital gains that accumulate in the plan are also tax-deferred until withdrawal.

If you’re not eligible to invest in a deductible IRA or you’re in a low tax bracket (12% or less), you should consider a Roth IRA instead. In any case, look to avoid non-deductible IRAs, which do not entitle you to a tax deduction and require complex tax documentation.

Your advisor can provide financial guidance to help you determine your eligibility, compare options and decide which IRA may be best for you.

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5. OPEN A TAXABLE INVESTMENT ACCOUNT TO INVEST BEYOND RETIREMENT

Once your tax-advantaged retirement plan contributions have been exhausted, build assets in an investment account and contribute to it monthly. Additionally, if your plan allows you to contribute after-tax dollars and it will not affect your current lifestyle, consider adding additional after-tax dollars to your 401k plan and converting those dollars to a Roth when permitted.

Taxable accounts are just that – taxable – but they have no contribution limits and you can use the money whenever and for whatever you want. You can invest your money in stocks and bonds to have the best opportunity to grow. We recommend diversification as a key factor that can help you grow your money while helping to control risk.

When you diversify your portfolio, work with your advisor to choose investments aligned to your goals. You can choose to invest in industries that are most prominent in Washington, like technology, aerospace and forest products, along with others that make up the broad market, like health care, telecom and energy. You can and should consider investing outside the U.S.!

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WHY LOCAL GUIDANCE MATTERS IN WASHINGTON

Washington-based financial advisors understand your cost of living, tax rules and special opportunities. Working locally with ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Engines can help ensure your strategy is tailored to your unique financial landscape. Find a Washington-based advisor today.

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COMMON WEALTH-BUILDING QUESTIONS FROM WASHINGTON RESIDENTS

Q: How can I build wealth in Washington with high living costs?

A: Start by budgeting, reducing high-interest debt and investing in retirement accounts that offer tax advantages in Washington.

Q: Are retirement accounts taxed differently in Washington?

A: Distributions from retirement accounts like pensions and 401ks are not taxed in Washington as the state does not have a personal income tax.

Q: What are the best investment options for Washington residents?

A: Choose an allocation appropriate for your goals and risk tolerance. Consider one composed of both U.S. stocks and international stocks and also have some exposure to bonds to help cushion against stock market declines (If you’re in a high tax bracket, consider tax-advantaged Washington municipal bonds).

This may be achieved by investing in ETFs and mutual funds. Generally, you don’t want to have more than 5% in any one stock – including your own employer’s – because more than that could prevent you from achieving adequate diversification. In addition, being overconcentrated in one security can cause unnecessary volatility and risk with your retirement savings.

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GET PERSONALIZED HELP BUILDING WEALTH IN WASHINGTON

Now that you know how planning and saving for your future can help you build wealth, it’s time for the next step. ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Engines has advisors across Washington who can help you create wealth-building strategies that fit your goals, risk tolerance and timeline. Find a location near you or schedule a free consultation.

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