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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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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

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    Save time each pay run

    We securely sync with your Square payroll.
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    Help them save 3x more

    With a 401(k), your employees can contribute more than they could with an IRA—up to 3x more.1
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    Optimize your plan

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

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CalSavers
  • Retirement plan type
    Starter 401(k)
    Roth IRA
  • Maximum employee contributions for 20252
    $6,000
    $7,000
  • Employee asset-based fee
    0.15%
    ($15 for every $10,000)3
    0.30%
    ($30 for every $10,000)4
  • Additional active employee fees
    None5
    $18/year account fee
    (charged quarterly at $4.50 each quarter)5
  • Monthly employer fee

    $39 + $4 per participant

    None
  • Investment options6
    40
    17
    (Including Target Date Funds)
  • Professionally managed portfolios6
    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.7

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.

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.8
  • 1
    Subject to IRS cost-of-living adjustments. In 2025, individuals can contribute up to $23,500 between their Roth and Pre-tax 401(k) account. If you’re 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $7,500 ($31,000 in total). Individuals can contribute up to $7,000 between their traditional and Roth IRA accounts. If you’re 50 or older, you can contribute an additional $1,000 ($8,000 in total).
  • 2

    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.

  • 3

    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.

  • 4
    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.
  • 5

    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.

  • 6

    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.

  • 7
    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.
  • 8
    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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