WCD Cuts Worker Benefit Fund Assessment Rate

The Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division has reduced the 2019 Workers’ Benefit Fund assessment rate by more than 14%. The division on Friday announced that the Jan. 1, 2019, assessment that pays for return-to-work incentives and cost-of-living increases will fall, to 2.4 cents per hour worked, from 2.8 cents per hour. System users spoke in favor of the reduction during a Sept. 20 hearing. A summary of hearing testimony notes that the lower assessment will reduce the balance of the fund, from $137.2 million, to $126.2 million at the end of 2023. Even if there is a reces...