Top 401(k) for small businesses1
Get setup in ~9 min
Starting at just $39/month
6x lower managed portfolio fees2
60K+
businesses3
1M+
savers4
$15B+
invested for retirement5
Top 401(k) for small business1
A top-rated 401(k)1 for a reason
All-in-one 401(k)
We handle your administration for you6 — everything from IRS filings to compliance — so you can focus on what matters most: your business.Modern experience for your team
With employee self-onboarding, a guided portfolio, and an award-winning mobile app7, we make signing up and saving easy for your team.Top-notch support
Get support you can count on for you and your team, including Spanish. With a 93% customer satisfaction rating8, there’s a reason why 60,000+ businesses3 like yours love working with Guideline.
Set up your 401(k) in ~9 minutes
Get startedPriced to help you save more
Get a full-stack 401(k) that's easy and affordable. Plus, only pay for active savers—unlike other providers. Transparent costs, lower fees, and no transaction costs whatsoever.9
Cliff J.North Valley Counseling
10 out of 10. Guideline makes offering a 401(k) easy—and it just works.Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.
Frequently asked questions
Should my business offer a 401(k)?
Now may be exactly the right time to start a 401(k), whether you’re looking to comply with a state retirement mandate, offer a comprehensive benefits package, delight and retain your team, or choose a plan that fits your budget and your needs.
State mandates – 25+ states are rolling out retirement mandates, requiring that employers offer a retirement benefit to help more people save for the future, right from their paycheck. Some states are levying heavy penalties for not complying. More states are considering their own programs, as well.13
Offering a comprehensive benefit – Give your team a 401(k) they’ll love – the Guideline 401(k). With a fully guided investing experience, award-winning mobile app14, and expert-built investment portfolios at a fraction of the cost2, you’ll help your team make the most of every dollar they save for retirement, while attracting top talent to your business.15
Delight and retain your team – With a 91% employee satisfaction rate16, a Guideline 401(k) will help you keep your team happy and engaged. And the best part? Our research shows that more than 70% of employers say 401(k) has positively impacted their ability to recruit, hire, and retain talent.15
A plan that fits your budget and needs – A Guideline 401(k) checks all the boxes, from automated plan admin and compliance, to IRS tax form prep, to reliable custom-built payroll integrations – all at no extra cost. Starting at just $39/month.9
Am I required to offer a 401(k)?
It’s certainly possible! 25+ states are rolling out retirement mandates, requiring that employers offer a retirement benefit to help more people save for the future, right from their paycheck. Some states are levying heavy penalties for not complying. More states are considering their own programs, as well.13
See our State Mandates page to learn more.
I think a 401(k) is too expensive. Are there ways to lower my costs?
A 401(k) plan doesn’t have to break the bank. That’s why Guideline offers the Starter plan, which starts at just $39/month and is an affordable way to offer a competitive benefit.
But that’s not all! Did you know that you might be eligible for tax credits that could fully cover the cost of your 401(k) plan for the first 3 years?17
I think a 401(k) is too time consuming. How does Guideline help?
A 401(k) doesn’t have to take a lot of time to manage. That’s often the old-school way of doing things. With smart automation and top-notch customer service, Guideline helps you take back your time so you can focus on your team and your business.
- Direct payroll integrations streamline every pay cycle
- Automated admin, compliance, & tax filings take hours of work off your plate18
- 93% plan sponsor satisfaction means you’re in good hands8
- We respond to support inquiries in 4 hours or less19
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what some of our clients have to say:
“Guideline never wastes my time. And that’s what’s most important to me—my time.” - Connie B., Rader Management Corp. DBA Dunkin’
"I don't mind paying a few bucks a month for Guideline because my time and peace of mind are worth it.” - Rich H., Pallas Care
“You have to change hearts and minds sometimes. Businesses have been conditioned to believe that offering a 401(k) is expensive and overly complicated. Guideline proves it doesn't have to be this way.” - Ana R., A&J Accounting
Clients of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.
Does Guideline work with my payroll provider?
It’s very likely that we do! You can check out our payroll integrations here. And even if we don’t integrate directly with your provider, our self-serve portal lets you upload a payroll report and even process certain corrections. Once submitted successfully, subsequent payroll runs should be seamless.
What other fees does Guideline charge?
With Guideline, what you see on our pricing page is what you get. We don’t charge any hidden fees.
See the fees you won’t be paying9 (unlike with some of our industry peers):
- $0 rollover fee
- $0 loan fee
- $0 distribution fee
- $0 plan termination fee
- $0 Form 5500 prep fee
What investment options are available?
Give your team a 401(k) they’ll love