Time is running out on our 3 month offer—open a 401(k) by Dec. 31, 2022.
Time is running out on our 3 month offer—open a 401(k) by Dec. 31, 2022.
Give your employees a roadmap to retirement
With Guideline, you can provide an impactful work benefit while minimizing paperwork and fees.
We handle most of the administrative and regulatory stuff
Recordkeeping
We serve as your recordkeeper to track your 401(k) plan’s balances, transactions, and deferrals.
Government filing
We prepare standard annual reports for no extra fee, including Form 5500 and 1099-R.
Compliance testing
We perform nondiscrimination testing to help identify potential issues and manage required corrections.
Custodial services
We’ll process transactions, execute trades, safeguard plan assets and more.
Customize your plan for your business
Our Core plan includes the services and features needed for a great benefit. With Flex and Max plans, you can further customize your plan to meet your business goals and team needs
- Safe harbor and Roth 401(k) plans
- Vesting schedules
- Eligibility requirements
- Dedicated support
- Employer matching options
- Profit sharing options
Empower your employees
Our easy to use dashboard gives your employees more control, more access and more support. They can set up their account in minutes, plus make updates, track their progress and access resources at any time.
Educational investing webinars
Investment portfolio recommendations
Live support via phone or email
Sync with your favorite payroll software
We’ve teamed up with select payroll providers, to deliver a largely automated 401(k).
Your plan is in good hands
For eligible plans, we serve as the ERISA 3(16) and 3(38) plan fiduciaries—which cover plan administration and investment management. This means we are legally (and morally) obligated to work in participants’ best interest. Learn more
Frequently asked questions
When can my plan start?
While setting up a Guideline 401(k) only takes about 20 minutes, it generally takes 40 days until first contributions are made. This is due to the automatic enrollment feature on all Guideline 401(k) plans, which requires a mandatory 30-day waiting period to allow a sufficient amount of time for eligible employees to opt-out before the plan begins.
What is auto enrollment?
Auto enrollment is a required feature for all Guideline 401(k) plans. With auto enrollment, all eligible employees can choose to opt out of the plan. If an eligible employee takes no action before the stated deadline, they will be automatically enrolled at a predetermined contribution rate. Auto enrollment can help improve IRS nondiscrimination testing results, increase employees’ retirement readiness, and much more. Learn more about auto enrollment
What fees are employers charged?
Employers will be charged $49, $79, or $129/month depending on their pricing plan and $8/month for each active participant in the plan. We don’t charge transaction fees—this includes no plan termination fees or Form 5500 prep fees. See our pricing.
Which employees are eligible to participate in the plan?
With Guideline, you can determine your plan eligibility based on your employees’ age and length of service with your company:
→ Age: 18, 19, 20, or 21 years
→ Length of service: 0, 3, 6, 12 months
We do not distinguish between part time and full time employees.
Can participants contribute pre-tax and post-tax funds to their account?
Employees are able to contribute pre-tax or post-tax funds to their account, or a combination of both. All employer contributions are pre-tax only.
How often can I make changes to my plan?
This will depend on your plan design. For example, Safe Harbor plans require changes to the employer matching formula to take place at the start of a new calendar year. Mid-Year changes to Safe Harbor plans can lead to loss of safe harbor protections. Note that any plan changes that result in a modification to the base fee tier are limited to one change during any calendar year. Should you desire to make changes after your plan begins, please contact a Guideline representative for assistance.
Everyone has a future.
Now everyone can invest in one.
