Start 2025 with $0 base fees for 3 months2

Now’s the time to start your Guideline 401(k) — get started in 20 minutes.

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50K+

businesses3

1M+

savers4

$15B+

invested for retirement5

fast company logo

Innovation by Design Award 20246

Melissa W. Zipline
We chose Guideline because we didn't want the overhead, management or complexity of traditional options. Guideline is practically a 1-click setup that integrates with our payroll system and is incredibly easy to manage.Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.

Already have a 401(k)? Switch to Guideline — no employer fees for 12 months + no fees on transferred funds.7

Learn more

See why 50,000+ businesses trust Guideline

  • Cylindrical tube with arrow pointing downward towards a USD $ sign. Signifying affordable pricing.

    All-in-one 401(k)

    We can automate most administrative tasks including recordkeeping, government filings, employee onboarding, and more.8

  • Guideline simple logo with three branches stemming from it. Demonstrating an all in one solution.

    Smart investments

    Our managed portfolios rebalance automatically — with total fees up to 6x less than the industry average.9

  • Mobile browser with guideline.com user dashboard displaying contributions chart.

    Better experience

    Give your employees access to professionally managed portfolios, live support, and an award-winning mobile app.6

Powerful plans for businesses of any size

Our 401(k) plans are affordable and scalable — with no transaction fees and no base fees for the first 3 months.2

  • Starter
    $39
    $0
    / month
    + $4/month per active participant

    A simplified 401(k) with limited features and easy administration.

    Get started
    • $6,000 employee contribution limit10

    • No employer contributions

    • Must be a new 401(k) plan

    • Must connect with an eligible payroll provider

  • Core
    Most popular
    $89
    $0
    / month
    + $8/mo per active participant fee

    A foundational 401(k) with robust features and more plan design options.

    Get started
    • $23,500 employee contribution limit10
    • Safe Harbor

      or Traditional 401(k)

    • Features like employer contributions and profit sharing

    • Can connect with any payroll provider

  • Enterprise
    $149
    $0
    / month
    + active participant fee

    Our most custom 401(k) with exclusive pricing options and premium support.

    Contact sales
    • $23,500 employee contribution limit10

    • Exclusive pricing options

    • Premium support for plan admin and employees

    • Access to Participant Perks

    • Support for 401(k) plan transfers

Compare all of our pricing options — see the full set of features

Calculator

Estimate your plan costs

If you’re starting a new 401(k), your small business may be eligible to receive up to $16,500 in tax credits over the plan’s first three years to help offset initial plan costs.1

Key dates + deadlines

Starting a 401(k) at the beginning of the year can help maximize contributions and reduce compliance risks — take advantage by staying on top of this year’s deadlines.

  • Deadline for an early January start date

    Nov. 22, 2024

  • Deadline for 3-month offer

    Dec. 31, 2024

$0 base fees for 3 months — open a Guideline 401(k) today.

Get started
  • 1
    This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be taken as tax advice. Please consult a tax professional to determine what types of tax credits or deductions your company is eligible to claim.
  • 2

    Employer fees included in this promotion are the monthly base fee charged to the 401(k) plan sponsor. Other employer-paid service fees are not included in this promotion. Participant-paid fees are not included in this promotion and will still apply. See here for more information regarding Guideline's fees. This offer ends November 22, 2024, and can’t be combined with other offers. Flexible pricing opportunities may affect this promotion. Contact Sales at hello@guideline.com for further details. We reserve the right to modify or discontinue this promotion at any time without prior notice.

  • 3
    As of May 2024
  • 4
    As of December 2024
  • 5
    As of August 2024
  • 6

    2024 Fast Company Innovation by Design Award Winner for Guideline's mobile application in the Mid-Size business category.

  • 7

    Fees included in this promotion are Guideline's monthly base fee, the monthly active participant fee and annual account fee on assets under management transferred. This offer ends December 31, 2024 and cannot be combined with other offers. We reserve the right to modify or discontinue this promotion at any time without prior notice. Terms & Conditions apply. Please contact Sales at hello@guideline.com for further details.

  • 8
    All plans of related entities must be administered by Guideline in order to provide compliance testing.
  • 9
    May be adjusted annually to account for IRS cost-of-living adjustments. Learn more
  • 10
    Starter 401(k) and Standard 401(k) annual limits may be adjusted annually by the IRS to account for cost-of-living adjustments. Learn more.
  • 11
    In general, Safe Harbor 401(k) plans automatically satisfy Top Heavy requirements. One exception is for plan years in which the employer makes discretionary contributions (such as profit sharing contributions) in addition to Safe Harbor contributions. Removing Safe Harbor contributions mid-year will also require plans be subject to all compliance testing.

Guideline.com is owned and operated by Guideline, Inc. This website contains content from Guideline, Inc. and its affiliates, each a separate entity with different regulatory marketing requirements and standards. References to "our" or "we" on this website refer solely to Guideline RK, LLC unless otherwise specifically stated.

The information in this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be an offer, recommendation, investment advice, legal or tax advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. By using this website, you agree to Guideline, Inc.’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Use. Neither Guideline, Inc. nor its subsidiaries, are responsible for information provided by third parties. Information included herein from third parties is believed to be reliable however Guideline, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of that information.

Guideline, Inc. is a technology company that provides an integrated platform to companies who seek to work with 1) Guideline RK, LLC ("Guideline") and/or 2) Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser ("RIA"), both of which are wholly owned by Guideline Holdings, LLC. Guideline Holdings, LLC is wholly owned by Guideline, Inc. Neither Guideline, Inc. nor Guideline Holdings, LLC or Guideline RK, LLC is involved in securities activities and is not registered with the SEC or FINRA. Neither Guideline, Inc., nor any of its affiliates, is a bank.

Investment advisory services for Guideline’s 401(k) (when 3(38) fiduciary services are selected) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. For more information regarding fees and services, see Guideline Investments, LLC’s ADV 2A Brochure and Form CRS. References throughout this website to investment advisory services including but not limited to: investments offered, portfolios, managed portfolios, investment philosophy, assets under management (AUM), annual account fees expressed as a percentage of AUM, suitability questionnaire, 3(38) investment advisory management fiduciary services, robo-advisory services, and investment advice, unless otherwise specifically stated, are services provided by Guideline Investments, LLC. Investing involves risk and may lose money, including loss of principal. Investing is not guaranteed and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. The investment options offered by Guideline Investments, LLC are not FDIC insured.

Recordkeeping services for Guideline’s 401(k) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline RK, LLC. 3(16) plan administration services are also offered by Guideline RK, LLC and only made available to clients who utilize an eligible payroll provider. For more information on Guideline’s pricing, see here. Guideline uses a third-party to provide custodial services. Custodial fees are paid by Guideline.

Any graphs, charts, and other visual aids (collectively referred to as "image(s)") are provided for information purposes only. None of these images can of themselves be used to make investment decisions. No representation is made that these will assist any person in making investment decisions and no image can capture all factors and variables required in making such decisions.

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