With Guideline and Square, you can switch 401(k) plans with ease.
Our platform will securely sync your Square Payroll and Guideline 401(k) data so any updates or changes will be reflected in both places automatically—saving you time and hassle.
401(k) contributions are automatically deducted each pay run. No need to maintain deductions or manually re-enter payroll data.
When employees become eligible to join the plan, we’ll notify and enroll them on your behalf—and provide full support along the way.
Transferring a 401(k) plan from one provider to another can be a complex process. With an Enterprise plan, you get a single point of contact that will guide you through each step.
Your dedicated onboarding specialist will help you complete any outstanding tasks, answer any questions and keep your plan on track for your start date.
Once your first contributions have successfully been made to your Guideline 401(k), your dedicated relationship manager will take over, assisting with any 401(k) related questions.
See a more detailed sample plan conversion timeline
Set up your Guideline plan
Initiate transfer with previous provider
Employees invited to participate
Final contributions from previous provider
Guideline 401(k) plan begins
Assets transferred from previous provider
The timeline is provided for illustrative purposes only. Your finalized timeline will be provided to you once you’ve completed Guideline plan set-up.
/month
+ active participant fee1
Have 50 or more employees?
With an intuitive dashboard and mobile app, it’s easy for your team to set up their account, track their progress, and access resources— anytime, anywhere.
Choose from a variety of features to match your previous plan design or add a few bells and whistles.
What is auto enrollment?
Auto enrollment is a required feature for all Guideline 401(k) plans. Auto enrollment can help improve IRS nondiscrimination testing results, increase employees’ retirement readiness, and more. Learn more about auto enrollment
For eligible plans, we serve as the ERISA 3(16)4 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
60k+
businesses
$20B+
invested for retirement
Fintech 50
Forbes 2022
Transferring a 401(k) plan can take approximately 75 to 90 days. You will get a finalized conversion timeline once you’ve completed Guideline plan setup. See a sample plan conversion timeline
A blackout period is a duration of time when participants cannot access their 401(k) accounts; this is typically during a time when 401(k) plan assets and records are being moved from one retirement benefit provider to another. During this time, participants will be unable to select new investments, take a loan, or make withdrawals from the 401(k) funds being transferred from the previous plan provider. A blackout period usually lasts about 10 business days.
Yes, we’ll send a blackout notice 30-60 days before the blackout period begins to all participants of the previous plan—to both current and former employees. The notice will state the reason for the blackout, it’s beginning and end date, and what account options will be restricted during the time period.
Once the Guideline 401(k) plan setup is complete, a transfer task will automatically populate on your admin dashboard to move forward with the transfer. The transfer task will provide you with brief instructions regarding next steps. Ensure to mark the transfer task complete, this will let your Onboarding Specialist know you initiated the transfer.
No, the plan will transfer to Guideline at the plan level. Employees will not need to request an individual rollover from the existing 401(k) provider.
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.
Guideline does not charge transaction fees, including for 401(k) plan transfers or terminations. You should check with your previous provider for any transfer fees they charge, if any.
As a plan fiduciary, Guideline maintains an ERISA bond covering your plan, which provides protection in the event of a claim of lost plan assets due to fraudulent or dishonest acts by Guideline.
Since ERISA generally requires that every fiduciary of an employee benefit plan and every person who handles funds or other property of such a plan shall be bonded, you may want to consult your legal counsel to determine whether other individuals, such as your trustee, who may be managing your plan funds will need additional bonding for your company.
Auto enrollment is a required feature for all Guideline 401(k) plans. With auto enrollment, all eligible employees can choose to opt in or 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
Continuing to make contributions to the previous plan until their Guideline plan begins can help avoid missed contributions and taxes or penalties.