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A seamless 401(k) for California businesses

Help your team save more and meet California's retirement plan mandate with a Guideline 401(k).

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Guideline 401k
Guideline 401k

The mandate in a nutshell

California employers must offer a retirement plan. The final deadline for most businesses was June 30, 2022. Those that are newly eligible this year or have 1-4 employees have deadlines coming up.

  • 5+ employees

    December 31, 2023

  • 1-4 employees

    December 31, 2025

Get a 401(k) that checks all the boxes

  • fast

    Save time each pay run

    We securely sync with top payroll providers like Gusto, QuickBooks and Square.

  • Save money

    Help them save 3x more

    With a 401(k), your employees can contribute more than they could with an IRA—up to 3x more.

  • flash

    Optimize your plan

    Create a stronger benefit with features like employer matching, profit sharing, and vesting schedules.

  • click icon

    Invest with confidence

    We provide professionally managed investment portfolios, educational webinars and live support.

Keep your business in compliance. Set up a Guideline 401(k) in just 20 minutes.

Sign up today

Compare a Guideline 401(k) with CalSavers

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CalSavers

  • Retirement plan type

    401(k)

    Roth IRA

  • Maximum employee contributions for 2023

    $22,500

    $6,500

  • Employee asset-based fee

    0.08%-0.35%

    ($8-35 for every $10,000)

    0.30%

    ($30 for every $10,000)

  • Additional active employee fees

    None

    $18/year account fee

    (charged quarterly at $4.50 each quarter)

  • Monthly employer fee

    $49 (Core), $79 (Flex), or $129 (Enterprise) base fee

    + Up to $8 per participant

    None

  • Investment options

    40

    17

  • Professionally managed portfolios

    6

    0

  • Employer match

    Yes

    No

  • Profit Sharing

    Yes

    No

Calculator

See how much your employees can save

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.

Everyone has a future.

Now everyone can invest in one.

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CalSavers FAQs

What is the mandate?

The CalSavers Program was created to encourage more people to save for retirement. It requires California employers with 5 or more employees to provide access to a retirement plan. The plan can either be a private plan like a 401(k) or the state-sponsored plan.

When does the mandate take effect?

For companies with 5+ employees, the deadline is December 31, 2023.

For companies with 1-4 employees, the deadline is December 31, 2025.

Which employers are impacted by the retirement mandate?

You are eligible to participate in the CalSavers Program if:

  • Your business is registered to conduct business in the state of California
  • You have at least five California based employees
  • Your employees must be 18 years old to enroll in CalSavers
  • You don’t currently offer a qualified retirement savings program to your employees

Does Guideline satisfy the retirement mandate?

Yes. Guideline's 401(k) plans are designed and priced with small businesses in mind. Starting a Guideline 401(k) satisfies the California retirement mandate.