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We integrate with popular payroll providers to make plan administration seamless and secure. Learn more.

We track 401(k) plan balances, transactions, and deferrals. We also handle executing trades, safeguarding plan assets, and more.

We prepare standard annual reports, including Forms 5500 and 1099-R. For clients where we are the 3(16) fiduciary, we sign and file Form 5500 as well. Large plans with an audit requirement will have to arrange and pay for the audit separately.

As the 3(38) fiduciary, we’re responsible for managing the investment portfolio, and selecting and monitoring funds. Our 3(16) fiduciary services are only available to clients who utilize an eligible payroll provider. For these plans, we take on the additional responsibility of calculating corrections, plus signing and filing Form 5500.

Our compliance dashboard monitors plans in near-real time to identify and proactively resolve any potential compliance issues. We complete necessary annual testing to be compliant with the IRS, including nondiscrimination tests and limit tests. Safe Harbor plans are designed to generally satisfy these IRS nondiscrimination tests and Starter 401(k) plans are exempt.

Guideline ensures all plans are compliant with the latest federal mandates for auto services. All plans have auto-enrollment so employees are encouraged to save for retirement by default. Some plans may also support auto-escalation which increases the default deferral rate without employee action each year.

Get support for plan administration via phone or email.

Get a dedicated onboarding specialist, dedicated client relationship manager and faster response times for plan administration questions.

We require all legally related groups to be on an Enterprise or Starter plan, depending on their selected plan design.

We require all plan sponsors who are transferring an existing 401(k) to Guideline to set up and maintain an Enterprise plan for at least 1 year before becoming eligible to switch to a different pricing plan. This ensures you receive the dedicated support that you need for a smooth transition.

We support SIMPLE IRAs transitions to a 401(k) at any point during the year. SIMPLE IRA plans initiating termination by 11/1 with an effective date of 12/31 may elect to start the new year with any of our plans. Plans terminating mid-year must set up a new traditional or QACA Safe Harbor 401(k) plan within a day of the SIMPLE IRA termination date. We require SIMPLE IRAs transitioning mid-year to set up and maintain an Enterprise plan for at least one year before becoming eligible to switch to a different pricing plan. This ensures you receive the dedicated support that you need for a smooth transition.

These limits are updated annually by the IRS.³

Enable participants to take hardship withdrawals for certain circumstances, like to pay for medical expenses or purchase a primary residence.

You can offer a 401(k) match, nonelective contribution or one of 3 profit sharing methods—same dollar, pro rata and new comparability profit sharing. For Core plans, new comparability may incur a one time additional fee.⁸

Starter 401(k) plans have IRS-imposed requirements and restrictions. Core and Enterprise plans provide more design options, including QACA Safe Harbor, Traditional Safe Harbor, and Non-Safe Harbor plans.

Set a schedule for certain employer contributions to become vested in participants’ 401(k) accounts.

Determine when employees can become eligible based on their age and/or how long they’ve worked at your company.

Enable individuals to borrow and gradually repay money from their 401(k) account.

Choose a pricing structure that’s best for your growth goals, budget, and team. Contact sales to learn more.

Your team can set up and manage their 401(k) account on their phone with our award-winning mobile app.⁹

Participants can select a managed portfolio or create a custom one from our curated collection of low-cost funds.

Participants can choose to contribute to a Traditional 401(k) for pre-tax saving, a Roth 401(k) for post-tax saving, or their own customized combination of both.

The ability for participants to transfer assets from another retirement plan to Guideline.

Participants get access to live English or Spanish language support via phone and email.

Your employees’ questions are prioritized at the top of the queue, so they can get faster response times.