Retrospective Rating Programs | Approach Management Services

How Retro Works

Join a Group

Retrospective Rating Groups (Retro) are industry-specific and sponsored by associations. Once approved, you will partner with Approach, the group’s third-party administrator for claims and Retro. Your knowledgeable claims analyst provides professional guidance throughout the process while working directly with L&I to help you achieve favorable outcomes and control costs.

Work Together

When you join a retro group, you are a member of a special group of employers committed to safety and claims best practices. Members adhere to key requirements including a strong light duty program and proactive control of claims cost. Approach offers practical resources designed to help you successfully participate in retro.

Earn Refunds

Earned refunds are a result of managing claims costs so that the group’s expected losses are lower than the group’s combined premium. Annually group refunds are calculated and distributed based on 75% individual performance share and 25% group performance share. Key drivers of refund success are proactive safety culture, effective claims management and long-term commitment.

Association Sponsorship & Oversight

All Retro groups must be sponsored by an association. Approach serves as the Retro administrator for five groups sponsored by two associations: SMART and PITB. These associations play a vital role in the success of Retro programs by overseeing overall performance, approving new members, removing members who negatively impact group results, and distributing refunds to participating members.