It’s more than a 401(k)

It’s an investment in your greatest asset - your team.

Plus, skip the stress of the state-run CalSavers program.1

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California requires all employers to offer a retirement benefit

CalSavers was created in 2016 to help more Californians save for retirement. State law now requires employers with at least one employee in California to offer the state-sponsored plan - CalSavers - or a qualified alternative like a Gusto 401(k) powered by Guideline by December 31st of the year in which your business becomes eligible.1

Just learning about this? You’re not alone. 56% of California small businesses are unaware of the deadline.2

We're here to help. Let’s look at your options.

  • 1-4 employees

    December 31, 2025

  • 5+ employees

    Deadline passed, penalties being enforced

"CalSavers is not free if it takes up your time and your worry."

Cliff J., North Valley Counseling

Client at the time when testimonial was provided. No compensation was provided. Views may not be representative of other clients.
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65% of business owners don’t know about the fines.2

They could cost you thousands.

  • Fines in California
up to $750/employee
You'll owe $250 per employee the first 90 days you're out of compliance, then an additional $500 per employee if you're still out of compliance at 180 days.1
  • Guideline Starter
$39/month + $4/month per active participant3
Starter’s simplified plan design and no employer matching helps
make it easy and affordable to meet the mandate.
Why pay hundreds in penalties when you can save thousands with tax credits?4
See if you’re eligible

California doesn’t specialize in retirement. We do.

Guideline logo
CalSavers
  • Retirement plan type
    Starter 401(k)
    Roth IRA
  • Tax benefit
    Pre or Post tax
    Post-tax only
  • Employee asset-based fee
    0.15%5
    0.30%6
  • Additional active employee fees
    None7
    $17/year account fee7
  • Professionally managed portfolios8
    6
    0
  • Investment options8
    40
    17
  • Payroll integrations
    Seamless Gusto payroll sync
    Not disclosed
  • Exempt from IRS testing
    Yes
    Yes
  • Scales to a standard 401(k)
    Yes
    No
  • Monthly employer fee
    $39/month + $4 per participant3
    Free
Rich H.Pallas Care
It wasn’t worth the business risk, or the stress, to do a state program without a payroll integration. Guideline Starter was an easy choice.Current client. No compensation was provided. Views may not be representative of other clients.

Pick a provider that has your back

The results are in – a Gusto 401(k) powered by Guideline can be a breeze to manage:9
  • 96% say Guideline plans are easy to set up
  • 97% say Guideline plans are easy to manage
  • 93% say Guideline gives them peace of mind

81%

say our fees are a small price to pay9

California clients agree – a Gusto 401(k) powered by Guideline is worth the small investment for the peace of mind they get in return.9

Our affordable and easy-to-manage solution helps you offer a compelling employee benefit.3

Explore plans

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Your new 401(k) could be 100% covered

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 plan costs.4

CalSavers FAQs

  • 1
    The CalSavers mandated registration deadline with at least 1 employee (as reported to the EDD in the preceding calendar year), who are not otherwise exempt from participation, can register with CalSavers. The registration deadline for employers with 1-4 employees is December 31, 2025. Requirements to report your exemption apply. Guideline has prepared this summary from third-party sources as of September 2025. The information herein is considered to be reliable at the time of writing, may not necessarily be all-inclusive, is not guaranteed as to accuracy and is subject to change at any time without notice. The information provided herein is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for specific tax, legal and/or financial advice that considers all relevant facts and circumstances. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. You are advised to consult a qualified financial adviser or tax professional before relying on the information provided herein. Deadlines, fees, and other program details are subject to change by the state without notice and should be checked prior to making any decisions and can be reviewed by visiting the State of California’s Franchise Tax Board. Visit the CalSavers site to learn more.
  • 2
    Guideline research run with Suzy. Insights based on data collected February 2025 from a survey of 1002 California-based employees who do not have a retirement benefit from their employer. Guideline was not identified as the survey sponsor. The experiences of the respondents in this survey may not be representative of all people.
  • 3
    See here for more information regarding fees.
  • 4
    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.
  • 5

    Investment advisory services for Guideline’s 401(k) product (when 3(38) fiduciary services are appointed) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. An assumed annual account fee of 0.15% is applied to assets under management and is deducted on a monthly basis. It’s calculated at 1/12 of the annual stated rate (0.15%) based on the account balance on the last day of each month. Alternative account fee pricing is available, ranging from 0.15% to 0.35%. Contact Sales at hello@guideline.com to learn more about exclusive pricing options available in Enterprise tier. See the Form ADV 2A Brochure for more information regarding this fee.

  • 6
    CalSavers charges an assumed annual account fee of between 0.30% (.05% State Fee and a .25% Program Administrative Fee) on assets under management as of February 2025 according to CalSavers Program Description. This fee includes the State Fee and the Program Administrative Fee. The State Fee is payable to the Board to offset expenses related to the establishment, oversight, and administration of the Program. The State Fee accrues daily and is factored into each Investment Option’s Unit Value. The Program Administrator receives the Program Administration Fee for providing recordkeeping and administrative services for the Program pursuant to a contract with the Board. The Program Administration Fee accrues daily and is factored into each Investment Option’s Unit Value. The fee presented does not include other fees that an employee may incur, including, but not limited to, underlying fund fees. Fees are subject to change by the state without notice and should be checked prior to making any decision.
  • 7
    The fee presented does not include other fees that a 401(k) participant may incur, including, but not limited to, from mutual fund expense ratios and a monthly maintenance fee to participants who end employment.
  • 8

    Investment advisory services for Guideline’s 401(k) product (when 3(38) fiduciary services are appointed) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser, the “Affiliated RIA”). Specific references herein to “asset-based fees” or “investment options” or “we” or “our” in this specific context is referring solely services provided- or fees charged- by the Affiliated RIA. See the Affiliated RIA’s Form ADV 2A Brochure for more information regarding its services and fees. Recordkeeping services 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. Guideline uses a third-party to provide custodial services. Custodial fees are paid by Guideline.

  • 9
    Research insights based on data collected in March 2025, from a survey conducted by Guideline, Inc that consisted of 156 clients who were active at the time of the survey based in California. Guideline was identified as the survey sponsor. Though the survey is broad in scope, the experiences of the respondents in this survey may not be representative of all clients.

This website contains content from Guideline, LLC and its subsidiaries, 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, LLC’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Use. Neither Guideline, LLC nor its affiliates, 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, LLC is a holding company, wholly-owned by Gusto, Inc. (“Gusto”), that through its subsidiaries, it 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 (“Guideline Investments”), both of which are wholly owned by Guideline, LLC.

Neither Gusto nor Guideline, LLC or Guideline RK, LLC is involved in securities activities and is not registered with the SEC or FINRA. Neither Gusto, nor any of its affiliates, is a bank.

Investment advisory services for Gusto’s 401(k) products (when 3(38) fiduciary services are selected) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline Investments, LLC (“Guideline Investments”), an SEC-registered investment adviser. For more information regarding fees and services, see Guideline Investments’, 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. 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 are not FDIC insured.

Administrative and recordkeeping services for Gusto’s 401(k) products, and SEP IRA/IRA products, are offered by Guideline RK, LLC (“Guideline”). 3(16) plan administration services are also offered by Guideline and only made available to clients who use the integration services available through Gusto’s payroll services. 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. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

© 2025 Guideline, LLC All rights reserved

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