Start saving right away — enjoy $0 base fee for 12 months
Meet Colorado’s retirement mandate with a simple, powerful Guideline 401(k), and get 12 months with a $0 base fee.
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The mandate in a nutshell
Colorado SecureSavings was established in 2020. It requires Colorado employers with 5+ employees that have been in business for 2+ years to offer the state-sponsored plan or a qualified alternative like a Guideline 401(k). Compare your options
- 5+ employees
May 15, 2024
Meet the mandate and more with a Guideline 401(k)
Simple setup
Get started in 20 minutes. We’ll help you choose a plan that meets the mandate and your business’s goals.
Automated busywork
Our custom integration built with Gusto means no need to maintain deductions or manually re-enter payroll data.
Live support
You and your team get access to live support, guided employee onboarding, a mobile app, and more.
Compare SecureSavings with Guideline Starter
Retirement plan type
Starter 401(k)
Roth IRA
Maximum employee contributions for 2024
$6,000
$7,000
Employee asset-based fee
0.15%
($15 for every $10,000)
0.20%
($20 for every $10,000)
Additional active employee fees
None
$22/year account fee
(charged quarterly at $5.50 each quarter)
Monthly employer fee
$39 / month + $4 per participant
(get $0 base fee for 12 months)
None
Investment options
40
15
(Including Target Date Funds)
Professionally managed portfolios
6
0
Employer match
No
No
Profit sharing
No
No
Stay compliant. Set up a Guideline 401(k) in just 20 minutes.
Looking for a more robust plan? Look no further.
Starter 401(k) plans do have limitations like lower contribution limits and no employer contributions. If you’d like to set up a plan with more options and flexibility, you may want to consider Core or Enterprise.
Guideline 401(k) reduces my administrative workload, and it's easy to use for me and for my employees.Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.
Get a retirement plan you and your team will love
Colorado retirement mandate FAQs
What is the mandate?
The Colorado SecureSavings Program was created to encourage more people to save for retirement. It requires Colorado 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 that have been in businesses for at least 2 years and have at least 5 employees, the deadline to register for Colorado SecureSavings or certify exemption with a 401(k) plan is May 15, 2024.
Which employers are impacted by the retirement mandate?
You are eligible to participate in the Colorado SecureSavings Retirement Savings Program if:
- Your business is registered to conduct business in the state of Colorado
- You have at least five W-2 employees who have worked for you for at least 180 days
- You have been in business for two or more years; and
- You don’t currently offer a qualified retirement savings program to your employees
Does Guideline satisfy the retirement mandate?
Yes. All of Guideline's 401(k) plans are designed to satisfy state program requirements and are priced to be affordable for businesses of all sizes.
Can I move from Guideline Starter to a standard 401(k)?
While it is possible for a plan to convert from a Starter 401(k) to a standard 401(k) plan at Guideline, the transition cannot take place until the beginning of the next calendar year. Learn more here.