Washington uses the life expectancy tables published by the Office of the Actuary of the Social Security Administration, here.

ANNUITY RULES

According to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services Medicaid Manual, section WAC 388-561-0201 entitled Annuities established on or after April 1, 2009:

1. The department determines how annuities affect eligibility for medical programs. Applicants and recipients of Medicaid must disclose to the state any interest the applicant or spouse has in an annuity.
2. A revocable annuity is considered an available resource.
3. The following annuities are not considered an available resource or a transfer of a resource if the annuity meets the requirements described in (4)(d), (e), and (f) of this subsection:

a. An annuity described in subsection (b) or (q) of section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code for 1986;
b. Purchased with proceeds from an account or trust described in subsection (a), (c), or (p) of section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
c. A simplified employee pension (within the meaning of section 408 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986); or
d. A Roth IRA described in section 408A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

4. The purchase of an annuity note described in subsection (3) established on or after April 1, 2009, will be considered as an available resource unless it:

a. Is immediate, irrevocable, non-assignable; and
b. Is paid out in equal monthly amounts with no deferral and no balloon payments:

i. Over a term equal to the actuarial life expectancy of the annuitant;
ii. Over a term that is not less than five years if the actuarial life expectancy of the annuitant is at least five years; or
iii. Over a term not less than the actuarial life expectancy of the annuitant, if the actuarial life expectancy of the annuitant is less than five years.
iv. Actuarial life expectancy shall be determined by tables that are published by the office of the chief actuary of the social security administration.

c. Is issued by an individual, insurer or other body licensed and approved to do business in the jurisdiction in which the annuity is established;
d. Names the state as the remainder beneficiary when the purchaser of the annuity is the annuitant and is an applicant for or receipient of Medicaid, or a community spouse of an applicant for or recipient of long-term care or waiver services:

i. In the first position for the total amount of medical assistance paid for the individual, including both long-term care services and waiver services; or
ii. In the second position for the total amount of medical assistance paid for the individual, including both long-term care services and waiver services, if there is a community spouse, or a minor or disabled child who is named as the beneficiary in the first position

e. Names the state as the beneficiary upon the death of the community spouse for the total amount of medical assistance paid on behalf of the individual at any time of any payment from the annuity if a community spouse is the annuitant;

f. Names the state as the beneficiary in the first position for the total amount of medical assistance paid on behalf of the individual at the time of any payment from the annuity, including both long-term care services and waiver services, unless the annuitant has a community spouse or minor or disabled child. If the annuitant has a community spouse or minor or disabled child, such spouse or child may be named as beneficiary in the first position, and the state shall be named as beneficiary in the second position:

i. If the community spouse, minor or disabled child, or representative for a child named as beneficiary is in the first position as described in (f) and transfers his or her right to receive payments from the annuity for less than fair market value, then the state shall become the beneficiary in the first position.

5. If the annuity is not considered a resource, the stream of income produced by the annuity is considered available income.
6. An irrevocable annuity established on or after April 1, 2009, that meets all of the requirements of subsection (4) except that it is not immediate or scheduled to be paid out in equal monthly amounts will not be treated as a resource if:

a. The full pay-out is within the actuarial life expectancy of the annuitant; and
b. The annuitant:

i. Changes the scheduled pay out into equal monthly payments within the actuarial life expectancy of the annuitant; or
ii. Requests that the department calculate and budget the payments as equal monthly payments within the actuarial life expectancy of the annuitant beginning with the month of eligibility. The income from the annuity remains unearned income to the annuitant.

Learn more by visiting the Washington State Health Care Authority.

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