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See how much your employees can save

We have three hubs across the country so people can work in a way that works best for them—whether that’s in the office, remote or something in between.

Work your way

Everyone has a future.\
Now everyone can invest in one.

Open a new Safe Harbor 401(k) and pay no employer fees for 1 month. Offer ends August 19, 2022.

Let’s get started

Our Safe Harbor Guide covers everything from matching options to plan requirements to key deadlines.

Want more details?

Join our fearless team of innovators, collaborators and problem solvers. We have open roles, across the company—from Engineering to Customer Operations to Sales.

Invest in yourself

opportunities to take off

9 a.m. - 7 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday

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Invest in your business and your people.

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Everyone has a future. Now everyone can invest in one.

The first decision is whether you want a Traditional 401(k) or Safe Harbor plan.

Select a plan type

Customize your plan with features like employer matching, eligibility requirements, and more.

Add plan features

You can get a plan up and running in about 40 days.

Set a start date

Get set up in 20 minutes

Everyone has a future.

Now everyone can invest in one.

Connect Guideline to OnPay

Reach out to our team

Connect Guideline to OnPay

Schedule a demo

Connect your Gusto account to get started 

What does third-party administrative access enable Guideline to do?

Which payroll providers can be connected with  third-party administrative access?

Can I decline to provide third-party administrator access to Guideline?

Frequently asked questions

How does the typical hiring process work?

How is Guideline addressing Diversity, Equity and Impact? 

Does Guideline offer hybrid work schedules?

How does Guideline foster professional development and growth? 

We don’t charge fees for one-off transactions like rollovers, loans, distributions or plan wind-downs.

No transaction fees

The total fees for our managed portfolios are about **10x less** than the industry average. [Learn more](/investments)

Low-cost investments

On Guideline 401(k) plans, employers cover plan administration fees. Employees are only charged an 0.08% annual account fee.

Fair pricing

Whether it’s plan pricing, transaction fees or payroll integrations, we pride ourselves on always being transparent with what we offer and how we do it.

More transparency

We’ve spent a lot of time and resources to integrate our platform with top payroll providers to provide a seamless and secure retirement plan experience for everyone.

Seamless tech integrations

All of our plans feature automatic enrollment and low monthly fees—to get more people saving for retirement, and to help them save on fees along the way.

Accessibility + affordability

What we do differently, we do with purpose

We use technology to our advantage to largely automate administration, investment management and more. Those that can’t be automated, are handled by our team of account specialists. 

This allows us to keep monthly prices low while eliminating transaction fees. So you can create a roadmap to retirement and minimize fees along the way.

See the fees you won’t be paying

Traditional and Roth IRAs aren’t tied to an employer and withdrawals may be easier. They can be a good option for individual savers who want financial flexibility for today and the future.

With a Guideline SEP IRA, self-employed individuals and other small business owners can contribute a significant amount toward their retirement with minimal paperwork.

More ways to save for retirement

As a Guideline partner, you can receive savings for your firm and perks to pass along to clients.

Open a new 401(k) for your firm or transfer your existing plan to Guideline and we’ll waive your employer fees for 6 months.

For your firm

For each client you sign up, we’ll waive their employer fees for 4-6 months. The more clients you add, the bigger perk you can give.

For your clients

Add clients. Give rewards. Repeat.

Your clients turn to you for professional advice. With Guideline for Advisors, you can rely on your dedicated relationship manager to help with outstanding tasks and answer your questions.

Dedicated relationship manager

We can help you help your clients

There are no fees to join Guideline for Accountants. Reach out via phone or email to set up your account.

Open an account in about 20 minutes

Invite clients directly from your dashboard.

Add your clients

Help clients set up retirement plans that work for them.

Design their plans

Let's grow your accounting practice

Our platform will securely sync your OnPay Payroll and Guideline 401(k) data so any updates or changes will be reflected in both places automatically—saving you time and hassle.

401(k) contributions are automatically deducted each pay run. No need to maintain deductions or manually re-enter payroll data.

Hassle free plan administration

When employees become eligible to join the plan, we’ll notify and enroll them on your behalf—and provide full support along the way. 

Simple employee onboarding

How payroll and a 401(k) work together

Want to compare a SEP IRA and 401(k)?

Our investment portfolios rebalance automatically to help you stay on track for retirement. <a href="https://www.guideline.com/investments" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Learn&nbsp;more</a>

Intelligent investing

We won’t nickel and dime your account. We don’t charge fees for distributions, rollovers and more.

The estimated total cost for our managed portfolios can be under + average fund fees for managed portfolios (0.07%)">0.15%

Low-cost funds

Everything you need on the road to retirement can be done online—from setup to rollovers to distributions. But if you have any questions along the way, our team of account specialists are here for you.

Live customer support

Customer support specialists when you need them

This account fee comes out to 67¢ a month for every $10,000 saved. 

If you are an employer, each employee, including yourself, is charged the same base and account fees. We don’t charge employers a separate fee for opening or funding a SEP IRA.

SEP IRA pricing

$8/monthly base fee + 0.08% annual account fee

Guideline account passwords are encrypted salted and hashed numerous times when they are stored in the database. Industry-standard authentication practices are utilized, including SSL. Single sign-on payroll providers are also integrated with Guideline to offer a streamlined sign-on experience.

Secure Access

Guideline gives sponsors complete control over who can see and who can modify plan and participant information. 

Guideline operates based on a system of user roles and access permissions. Sponsors can add third party administrators, even administrators/bookkeepers that may have access to many disparate Guideline plans.


Granular User Access Control

Guideline’s database infrastructure is encrypted before data insertion and secondarily at rest. When whole-database encryption is not desired, very high granularity is available to protect more specific information: user accounts, specific identifiable data, and even the values of specific fields can be encrypted separately. The encryption system is configured to pass the strictest PCI, and state privacy laws.

Database Encryption

Guideline utilizes Web Application Firewalls to ensure data is validated and scrubbed before entry into the database. Security scans are performed weekly and on a deploy-centric basis.
The system tests that user-entered data and even the form fields themselves match expected formats and values.

Preventing XSS, CSRF, and other malicious data entry

Guideline protects against brute-force password attacks by limiting the number of login attempts from a single source over a predefined period of time. Failed login attempts are logged and visible via our in-house response dashboard. Guideline can also be configured to allow administrators to ban individual IP addresses and address ranges.

Brute Force Detection

Guideline includes features that address all of the Open Web Application Security Project’s top ten security risks — a list of the most commonly seen risks in practice. We prevent and test for all risks on an ongoing basis.

Addresses OWASP Risks

These three simple, time-tested principles help guide the investment decisions we make. When paired with our software and expertise, these principles help people invest in their future with confidence.

Our investment philosophy

We’ve created 6 different managed investment portfolios so you can select the one that aligns with your age and risk tolerance. Each portfolio is diversified with funds from low-cost providers like Vanguard and TIAA, and has an average expense ratio under 0.07%.

Take our questionnaire to assess your risk tolerance and saving timeline.

Select a managed portfolio or create a custom one from 40+ funds.

Stay on track for retirement — we’ll automatically rebalance your portfolio over time.

Start investing with a guide

Fees can have a big impact on retirement savings, especially when compounded over time. The industry-average fee charged by 401(k) providers is 1.63%.

The estimated total cost for an active participant investing in one of Guideline’s managed portfolios can be under
 + average fund fees for managed portfolios (0.07%)">0.15%—that’s about 10x less than the industry average.

less in fees

As fiduciaries, we are legally (and morally) obligated to ensure that every investment decision we make is in your best interest. Our investment committee takes this responsibility very seriously, regularly reviewing strategies and performance.

Investment committee

Your investments are our fiduciary responsibility

401(k) employer checklist

401(k) glossary

Building a benefits package

Want more guidance?

Transferring a 401(k) plan from one provider to another can be a complex process. With a Guideline Max plan, you get a single point of contact that will guide you through each step.

Your dedicated onboarding specialist will help you complete any outstanding tasks, answer any questions and keep your plan on track for your start date.

Dedicated onboarding specialist

Once your first contributions have successfully been made to your Guideline 401(k), your dedicated relationship manager will take over, assisting with any 401(k) related questions.

Dedicated client relationship manager

Day 1

Day 2

Day 15

Final contributions from previous provider

Day 44

Day 45

Assets transferred from previous provider

Day 75

See a more detailed [sample plan conversion timeline](https://drive.google.com/file/d/16EhIM8aVrLT-IBPHPfFr7BIM9G1grzQg/view)

Sample timeline

We’ll streamline your plan transfer

Our payroll integrations with <li>Gusto</li><li>QuickBooks</li><li>Square</li><li>Rippling</li><li>Zenefits</li><li>Miter</li><li>ADP Workforce Now</li><li>RUN Powered by ADP</li></ul>"> top providers like Gusto, QuickBooks and Square can automate plan admin and employee onboarding. We also take care of investments, government filings and more.

Simplify your day-to-day

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.

Customize your 401(k) plan

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.

Help employees save 3x more

We provide 40+ investment options and 6 professionally managed portfolios. We also provide educational webinars, portfolio recommendations and live support—so your employees can start saving with confidence.

Give your employees confidence

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 plan 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.

Businesses impacted

Deadline

California retirement mandate, explained

We provide resources and support that help people thrive at work and home.

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans — 100% for employees, 70% for dependents

Competitive base salaries + stock options

Impactful benefits

In recent years, states across the country have enacted retirement savings programs to help individuals save for retirement—potentially bridging the retirement gap for as many as 41 million U.S. workers.
\
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While the rules of each state program vary greatly, they currently all give employers the option to choose between the state-sponsored plan or a private plan, like a Guideline 401(k).

State retirement programs in a nutshell

All employee info is synced for seamless onboarding

Guideline auto-updates Gusto with any changes each pay period

Rest assured that your employees are receiving an impactful work benefit

Connecting Gusto to Guideline gives you an automated experience

Latest offers from our partners

Get press-ready resources, including logos, product screenshots, executive headshots and more.

Media kit

Contact

For the most current news on Guideline, check out our blog.

Blog

Press resources

If you’re starting a new 401(k) plan, you may be eligible to receive up to $16,500 in tax credits over three years to offset plan administration costs.

We integrate with top payroll providers so employers can easily find their payroll, connect their plan and build a 401(k) that’s straightforward and impactful.

We’ve teamed up with OnPay to provide an automated 401(k). Monthly plans start at $49 + $8 per participant with no transaction fees.

Open a Guideline account using your OnPay login

We’ve teamed up with Rippling to provide an automated 401(k). Monthly plans start at $49 + $8 per participant with no transaction fees.

Open a Guideline account using your Rippling login 

We’ve teamed up with Zenefits to provide an automated 401(k). Monthly plans start at $49 + $8 per participant with no transaction fees.

Open a Guideline account using your Zenefits login

We can manage your 401(k) and take care of most administrative tasks by connecting your Miter payroll account with Guideline.

Provide Guideline with third-party administrative access to your Miter payroll account. With administrator access, we can update your roster, manage contributions and pull reporting.

We’ve teamed up with ADP to provide an automated 401(k). Monthly plans start at $49 + $8 per participant with no transaction fees.

Open a Guideline account using your ADP login

We can manage your 401(k) and take care of most administrative tasks by connecting your BambooHR payroll account with Guideline.

Provide Guideline with third-party administrative access to your BambooHR payroll account. With administrator access, we can update your roster, manage contributions and pull reporting.

We can manage your 401(k) and take care of most administrative tasks by connecting your Isolved payroll account with Guideline.

Provide Guideline with third-party administrative access to your Isolved payroll account. With administrator access, we can update your roster, manage contributions and pull reporting.

We can manage your 401(k) and take care of most administrative tasks by connecting your Justworks payroll account with Guideline.

Provide Guideline with third-party administrative access to your Justworks payroll account. With administrator access, we can update your roster, manage contributions and pull reporting.

We can manage your 401(k) and take care of most administrative tasks by connecting your Namely payroll account with Guideline.

Provide Guideline with third-party administrative access to your Namely payroll account. With administrator access, we can update your roster, manage contributions and pull reporting.

We can manage your 401(k) and take care of most administrative tasks by connecting your Paychex payroll account with Guideline.

Provide Guideline with third-party administrative access to your Paychex payroll account. With administrator access, we can update your roster, manage contributions and pull reporting.

We can manage your 401(k) and take care of most administrative tasks by connecting your Paycom payroll account with Guideline.

Provide Guideline with third-party administrative access to your Paycom payroll account. With administrator access, we can update your roster, manage contributions and pull reporting.

We can manage your 401(k) and take care of most administrative tasks by connecting your Paycor payroll account with Guideline.

Provide Guideline with third-party administrative access to your Paycor payroll account. With administrator access, we can update your roster, manage contributions and pull reporting.

We can manage your 401(k) and take care of most administrative tasks by connecting your Paylocity payroll account with Guideline.

Provide Guideline with third-party administrative access to your Paylocity payroll account. With administrator access, we can update your roster, manage contributions and pull reporting.

We’ve teamed up with Gusto to provide an automated 401(k). Monthly plans start at $49 + $8 per active participant with no transaction fees.

Open a Guideline account using your Gusto login

We’ve teamed up with QuickBooks Online to provide an automated 401(k). Monthly plans start at $49 + $8 per active participant with no transaction fees.


Open a Guideline account using your QuickBooks login

Email us at <a href="mailto:hello@guideline.com">hello@guideline.com</a> to learn more about integration options

Have QuickBooks Desktop?

We’ve teamed up with Square to provide an automated 401(k). Monthly plans start at $49 + $8 per participant with no transaction fees.

Open a Guideline account using your Square login

You’re one step closer to a brighter future

Seamless management

Payroll integration

Fair pricing

Contact us

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