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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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CalSavers, explained

The CalSavers Retirement Savings Program was created to encourage more people to save for retirement. It requires employers with 5 or more California-based employees to provide access to a retirement plan.

As an employer, you can choose the type of plan you’d like to offer: the state-sponsored plan1 or a qualified CalSavers alternative, like a Guideline 401(k).

Now is the time to start a retirement plan, meet the mandate and avoid potential penalties.

  • Deadline

    June 30, 2022
    Enforcement actions are pending

  • Businesses impacted

    5+ employees
    The deadline for newly eligible businesses is Dec. 31, 2023.

Guideline 401(k)

More benefits for you and your employees
  • An image of a puzzle representing the flexibility and customization options available with Guideline 401(k) plans.

    Customize your plan

    With a Guideline 401(k), you have more options. Employer matching, profit sharing, vesting schedules, eligibility requirements—you can add these features to fit your business and create a stronger retirement benefit.

  • An image showing the low-cost investment options and zero transaction fees available with Guideline 401(k) plans.

    Help employees save 3x more

    With a 401(k), your employees can contribute more than they could with an IRA. With a Guideline account, they’ll get access to low-cost investments and zero transaction fees.2

  • A visual representation of Guideline 401(k) dashboard for employee onboarding and payroll management.

    Simplify your day-to-day

    We can connect with top payroll providers to automate plan administration and employee onboarding—so you can add a popular work benefit without all the added paperwork. We also take care of investments, government filings, and more.

  • An infographic showing the different investment options available through Guideline 401(k) plans.

    Give your employees confidence

    We provide 40+ investment options and professionally managed portfolios. We also provide educational webinars, portfolio recommendations, and live support—so your employees can start saving with confidence.

Compare CalSavers with Guideline Starter

Guideline logo
CalSavers
  • Retirement plan type
    Starter 401(k)
    Roth IRA
  • Maximum employee contributions for 20253
    $6,000
    $7,000
  • Employee asset-based fee
    0.15%
    ($15 for every $10,000)4
    0.30%
    ($30 for every $10,000)5
  • Additional active employee fees
    None6
    $18/year account fee
    (charged quarterly at $4.50 each quarter)6
  • Monthly employer fee

    $39 + $4 per participant

    None
  • Investment options7
    40
    17
    (Including Target Date Funds)
  • Professionally managed portfolios7
    6
    0
  • Employer match
    No
    No
  • Profit sharing
    No
    No

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.8

Everyone has a future.

Now everyone can invest in one.

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See our Privacy Policy to learn how we use and protect your information.

California retirement mandate FAQs

What is the mandate?

Employers are required to offer a retirement savings plan if they have 5 or more California-based employees, and if at least one of those employees is 18 or older. The plan can either be a private plan like a 401(k) or the state administered plan, CalSavers.

When does the mandate take effect?

The final deadline was June 30, 2022. Now, except for businesses that become newly eligible for Calsavers in 2022, all employers with 5 or more California-based employees are required to provide access to a retirement plan. If you missed the deadline, enforcement actions are pending.

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.9

Which employers are impacted by the retirement mandate?

Employers with 5 or more California-based employees, with at least one of whom is age 18.

I just started my business in 2022. Do I need to comply?

Yes you do. But as a newly eligible business, you have until December 31, 2023, to sign up for CalSavers or offer a qualified retirement plan.
  • 1
    Visit the CalSavers’ site to learn more.
  • 2
    Information shown here assumes a static balance of $10,000 per month, an assumed annual account fee of 0.15% to 0.35% on assets under management (calculated and deducted on a monthly basis at 1/12 of the annual stated rate (0.15%-0.35%) based on the month-end account balance) and does not account for common factors that affect the value of your account balance over time such as gains, losses, distributions, additional contributions, etc. It’s not intended to be taken as investment advice or as an assurance or guarantee of future performance. The fee presented does not include other fees that an IRA owner may incur, including, but not limited to, from mutual fund expense ratios. 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 our Form ADV 2A Brochure for more information regarding fees.
  • 3

    Subject to IRS cost-of-living adjustments. In 2025, individuals can contribute up to $7,000 between their traditional and Roth accounts. If you’re 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $1,000 ($8,000 in total). Starter 401(k) employee can contribute up to $6,000. If you’re 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $1,000.

  • 4

    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.

  • 5
    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.
  • 6

    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. Go to https://saver.calsavers.com/home/savers/program-details.html for more details.

  • 7

    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.

  • 8
    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.
  • 9
    Visit the CalSavers program site to learn more.

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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