Washington Faces an Age Wave: Economic and Policy Priorities for 2026

“The age wave is here,” says Cathleen MacCaul, Senior Advocacy Director at AARP Washington. “By 2030, more Washingtonians will be age 65 and older than under 18. That demographic shift will impact every part of our economy—from health care to housing to gaps in our long term care workforce.”

A recent AARP survey underscores these concerns as older Washingtonians are concerned about their financial security and access to affordable care. With unprecedented federal changes to Medicaid and SNAP nutrition funding, MacCaul warns that “our focus must be on protecting existing programs that support older adults and ensuring they are not cut.”

In July 2026, Washington state will launch WA Cares, a long-term care program designed to help residents age in place. But MacCaul stresses that more must be done for today’s older adults. “We have 1.3 million unpaid family caregivers in Washington. They are the backbone of our long-term care system,” she says. “The legislature needs to protect existing caregiver support programs by safeguarding Home and Community-Based Services funding.”

Economic pressures are mounting. For older adults living on fixed incomes—often relying solely on Social Security, which averages $1,800 per month—the challenges are stark. Nearly a quarter have $25,000 or less in savings, and they are prime targets for scams. “Financial security is not just a personal issue—it’s an economic issue for the state,” MacCaul explains. “We need to strengthen property tax relief, sustain pension programs, and ensure robust consumer protections against fraud.” A priority piece of legislation will focus on the regulation of Crypto Kiosks/ATMs which are used by scammers to steal people’s money.

While the budget prospects will be challenging this session, AARP is working with the Area Agencies on Aging to support a specific funding request for $6 million for Health Homes, which provide support for more than 11,000 Washingtonians. “Investing in these programs now will save costs later,” said MacCaul.

AARP's survey also highlights housing affordability as a critical concern. “Older adults want to stay in their communities, but rising costs make that difficult,” says MacCaul. “Supporting affordable housing is essential for economic stability.”

As Washington prepares for 2026, the message is clear: the age wave isn’t coming -- it’s here. “This session is about making smart and focused policy choices and weighing the realities of current economic pressures,” MacCaul concludes. “We need to stay the course and maintain the systems that support older adults, strengthens families, and sustain our economy.”