Meet the state retirement mandate with an affordable, powerful retirement plan.
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Get a small business 401(k) that gives you more
At Guideline, we’ve teamed up with top providers—like Gusto, QuickBooks and Square—to automate plan administration and employee onboarding. We also take care of investments, government filings, and more.
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.
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 pay no transaction fees.
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.
The Illinois Secure Choice program was created to encourage more people to save for retirement. It requires employers to provide access to a retirement plan if they have 5-15 Illinois-based employees and have been in operation for at least two years.
As an employer, you can choose the type of plan you’d like to offer: the state-sponsored program or a qualified private plan, like a Guideline 401(k).
5-15 employees
Nov 1, 2023
Retirement plan type
401(k)
Roth IRA
Maximum employee contributions for 2023
$22,500
$6,500
Annual employee account fee
0.08%
($8 for every $10,000)
0.60 - 0.73%
($60-$73 for every $10,000)
Monthly employer fee
Starting at $49/month + $8 per active participant
None
Investment options
40+
15
Employer match
Yes
No
Professionally managed portfolios
6
0
Profit sharing
Yes
No
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.
Invest in your business and your people.
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Employers who have been in operation for at least 2 years and have 16 or more employees are required to provide access to a retirement plan. The plan can either be a private plan like a 401(k) or the state-sponsored plan.
For companies with 16-24 employees, the registration deadline is November 1, 2022.
For companies with 5-15 employees, the registration deadline is November 1, 2023.
For companies with 25+ employees, the deadline has already passed. Enforcement for non-compliant employers with 25 or more employees will begin in early 2023.
For the November 1, 2022 deadline, Employers with 16 or more employees whose business has been in operation for at least 2 years.
Yes. Guideline's 401(k) plans are designed and priced with small businesses in mind. Starting a Guideline 401(k) satisfies the Illinois retirement mandate.