Powerful plans for
businesses of any size

Our 401(k) plans come with low monthly costs and no transaction fees. So you won’t have to pay extra for plan setup, plan transfers, or 5500 prep.1

  • Starter
    $39
    / month
    + $4/mo per active participant

    A simplified 401(k) with limited features and easy administration.

    Get started
    • $6,000 employee contribution limit

    • No employer contributions

    • Must be a new 401(k) plan

    • Must connect with an eligible payroll provider

  • Core
    Most popular
    $89
    / month
    + $8/mo per active participant

    A foundational 401(k) with robust features and more plan design options.

    Get started
    • $23,500 employee contribution limit3
    • Safe Harbor4

      or Traditional 401(k)

    • Features like employer contributions and profit sharing

    • Can connect with any payroll provider

  • Enterprise
    $149
    / month
    + active participant fee
    Our most custom 401(k) with premium support and flexible pricing that scales as you grow.
    Contact sales
    • $23,500 employee contribution limit3

    • Flexible pricing options

    • Premium support for plan admin and employees

    • Support for plan transfers

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Get back up to $16,500 in tax credits2— see if you're eligible.

  • $0 transaction fee

  • $0 rollover fee

  • $0 loan fee

  • $0 distribution fee

Refer to Guideline’s Form ADV 2A Brochure for additional information regarding Guideline’s fees.

Help employees save more

Active employees are only charged an annual account fee starting at 0.15%5 (0.0125%/month). Combined with low fund fees, that's up to 6x less than the industry average.6 Learn more

Refer to Guideline’s Form ADV 2A Brochure for additional information regarding Guideline’s fees.

Features that fit your business and team

  • Plan administration
  • Plan features
  • Employee experience

Estimate your 401(k) plan costs with our calculator

Your company could be eligible to receive up to $16,500 in tax credits over the plan’s first three years to help offset initial plan costs.2

More ways to save for retirement

  • SEP IRA

$8/month base fee + 0.08%/year11

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

Learn more about our SEP IRA
  • Traditional IRA
  • Roth IRA

$4/month base fee + 0.08%/year11

$2/month base fee + 0.08%/year11 if your total account balance is under $10,000

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.

Learn more about our IRAs

Frequently asked questions

What plan fees do employers pay?

Employers pay a flat monthly base fee and a flat monthly participant fee based on the number of active participants in the plan. Learn more.

When do employers start getting invoiced?

Monthly payments aren’t due until after your plan is active and the first contributions have been made.

What Guideline fees do individuals pay?

All 401(k) participants pay an account fee, as chosen by the plan sponsor. It’s based on their account assets, and ranges between 0.15% and 0.35% depending on the plan tier and pricing selected.5 When an employee leaves your company, they will also be responsible for a $4/month account fee after a 90-day grace period if they maintain a balance.

SEP, Traditional and Roth IRA account holders are responsible for a monthly fee starting at $2/month plus a 0.08% base fee based on the account assets. Guideline deducts this fee on a monthly basis based on the month-end account balance. This fraction of a percentage on accounts starting at 0.08% comes out to about 67¢ a month for every $10,000 saved.11

See our Form ADV 2A Brochure for more information on our fees.

What happens when an employee leaves my company?

You only pay for active employees who are currently employed by your company and are participating in the 401(k) plan. When an employee leaves your company, they will be responsible for any charges on the account.

How are former employees’ 401(k) accounts charged?

Former employees who have balances in your 401(k) plan are charged a $4 monthly base fee. Guideline starts charging this fee after an initial 90-day grace period following termination of employment, or after the end of the blackout period if the retirement plan was recently transferred to Guideline from another 401(k) provider. The monthly account base fee is deducted from their account for any month during which the month-end account balance is greater than $0. Former employees will continue to pay the applicable account fee (0.08%-0.35%, as chosen by the plan sponsor) based on their account assets.1

How much does it cost to terminate a 401(k) plan?

We don’t charge a termination fee if you decide to terminate your Guideline 401(k) plan.12

Can I use a credit card to pay for the monthly base cost?

Guideline accepts credit cards as a payment method for your monthly plan billing. You can set this up from the Plan Settings page once you’ve logged in to your new account. See our Help Center for more information on how to set this up.

Which payroll providers do I need to use in order to set up a Starter plan?

Starter plans must be connected with one of our full integration payroll providers:

  • Gusto
  • QuickBooks Online
  • QuickBooks Desktop
  • Paylocity
  • Square
  • OnPay
  • Paycor
  • TriNet PEO
  • Justworks Payroll
  • Proliant
  • Miter HR
  • ADP Run
  • ADP Workforce Now
  • Housecall Pro
  • Eddy
  • Monograph
  • Warp
  • Belfry
  • Central
  • Plane
  • Enkempass
  • Workstream
  • Lumber
  • Playground
  • 7shifts
  • Keka HR

Which payroll providers do I need to use in order to get 3(16) fiduciary services on my plan?

Our 3(16) fiduciary services are only available to clients who utilize a fully integrated payroll or supported payroll:

  • Gusto
  • QuickBooks
  • Square
  • OnPay
  • Paylocity
  • Rippling
  • Paycor
  • TriNet PEO
  • TriNet HR Platform
  • Justworks Payroll
  • Justworks PEO
  • Proliant
  • Miter
  • ADP Workforce Now
  • RUN Powered by ADP
  • Housecall Pro
  • Eddy
  • Monograph
  • Warp
  • Belfry
  • Central
  • Plane
  • Enkempass
  • Workstream
  • Lumber
  • Playground
  • BambooHR
  • isolved
  • Namely
  • Paychex
  • Paycom
  • 7shifts
  • Keka HR

This information is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. It shouldn’t be used as a substitute for specific tax, legal and/or financial advice that considers all relevant facts and circumstances. Investing involves risk and investments may lose value. Tax laws and regulations are complex and subject to change. You should consult a qualified financial adviser or tax professional before relying on this information.

  • 1

    See here for more information regarding Guideline's fees.

  • 2
    You should consult a tax professional to determine what types of tax credits or deductions your company is eligible to claim.
  • 3

    May be adjusted annually to account for IRS cost-of-living adjustments.

  • 4
    In general, Safe Harbor 401(k) plans automatically satisfy Top Heavy requirements. One exception is for plan years in which the employer makes discretionary contributions (such as profit sharing contributions) in addition to Safe Harbor contributions. Removing Safe Harbor contributions mid-year will also require plans be subject to all compliance testing.
  • 5

    An annual account fee ranging from 0.15% to 0.35% is applied to assets under management and is deducted on a monthly basis. It’s calculated at 1/12 of the annual stated rate based on the account balance on the last day of each month. The fee presented does not include other fees that a 401(k) participant may incur, including, but not limited to, from mutual fund expense ratios.

  • 6
    This information is provided for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to be taken as investment or tax advice. Consult a qualified tax and financial advisor to determine the appropriate investment strategy for you. The average investment expense of plan assets for 401(k) plans with 25 participants and $250,000 in assets is 1.37% of assets, according to the 24th Edition of the 401k Averages Book, with data updated through September 30, 2023, and is inclusive of investment management fees, fund expense ratios, 12b-1 fees, sub-transfer agent fees, contract charges, wrap and advisor fees or any other asset based charges. Investment advisory services for Guideline’s 401(k) product (when 3(38) fiduciary services are appointed) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. The managed portfolios have blended expense ratios ranging from 0.067% to 0.069% of assets under management. When combined with an assumed account fee of 0.15% charged by Guideline Investments, LLC, the estimated total AUM fees for one of the managed portfolios can be under 0.22%. Alternative account fee pricing is available ranging from 0.15% to 0.35%. Contact Sales at hello@guideline.com to learn more about exclusive pricing options available in the Enterprise tier. See the Form ADV 2A Brochure for more information regarding fees. Expense ratios for custom portfolios will vary. These expense ratios are subject to change by and paid to the fund(s).View full fund lineup.
  • 7

    Investment advisory services for Guideline’s 401(k) product (when 3(38) fiduciary services are appointed) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Recordkeeping services are offered by Guideline RK, LLC. 3(16) plan administration services are also offered by Guideline RK, LLC and only made available to clients who utilize an eligible payroll provider. Guideline uses a third-party to provide custodial services. Custodial fees are paid by Guideline.

  • 8

    Investment advisory services for Guideline’s 401(k) (when 3(38) fiduciary services are appointed) are offered by Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. 3(16) fiduciary services are offered by Guideline RK, LLC and only made available to clients who utilize an eligible payroll provider. Guideline uses a third-party to provide custodial services. Custodial fees are paid by Guideline.

  • 9
    All plans of related entities must be administered by Guideline and have identical plan designs in order to provide compliance testing.
  • 10

    2024 Fast Company Innovation by Design Award Winner for Guideline's mobile application in the Mid-Size business category.

  • 11
    An assumed annual account fee of 0.08% is applied to assets under management and is deducted on a monthly basis. It’s calculated at 1/12 of the annual stated rate (0.08%) based on the account balance on the last day of each month. The fee presented does not include other fees that an IRA owner may incur, including, but not limited to, from mutual fund expense ratios.
  • 12
    Guideline does not charge additional fees to close the plan, but the plan sponsor is responsible for paying the monthly fees until the plan has been terminated in accordance with applicable law, or until the plan has been transferred in full to another service provider.

Guideline.com is owned and operated by Guideline, Inc. This website contains content from Guideline, Inc. and its affiliates, each a separate entity with different regulatory marketing requirements and standards. References to "our" or "we" on this website refer solely to Guideline RK, LLC unless otherwise specifically stated.

The information in this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be an offer, recommendation, investment advice, legal or tax advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any security. By using this website, you agree to Guideline, Inc.’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions of Use. Neither Guideline, Inc. nor its subsidiaries, are responsible for information provided by third parties. Information included herein from third parties is believed to be reliable however Guideline, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of that information.

Guideline, Inc. is a technology company that provides an integrated platform to companies who seek to work with 1) Guideline RK, LLC ("Guideline") and/or 2) Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser ("RIA"), both of which are wholly owned by Guideline Holdings, LLC. Guideline Holdings, LLC is wholly owned by Guideline, Inc. Neither Guideline, Inc. nor Guideline Holdings, LLC or Guideline RK, LLC is involved in securities activities and is not registered with the SEC or FINRA. Neither Guideline, Inc., nor any of its affiliates, is a bank.

Investment advisory services for Guideline’s 401(k) (when 3(38) fiduciary services are selected) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline Investments, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. For more information regarding fees and services, see Guideline Investments, LLC’s ADV 2A Brochure and Form CRS. References throughout this website to investment advisory services including but not limited to: investments offered, portfolios, managed portfolios, investment philosophy, assets under management (AUM), annual account fees expressed as a percentage of AUM, suitability questionnaire, 3(38) investment advisory management fiduciary services, robo-advisory services, and investment advice, unless otherwise specifically stated, are services provided by Guideline Investments, LLC. Investing involves risk and may lose money, including loss of principal. Investing is not guaranteed and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. The investment options offered by Guideline Investments, LLC are not FDIC insured.

Recordkeeping services for Guideline’s 401(k) and SEP IRA/IRA products are offered by Guideline RK, LLC. 3(16) plan administration services are also offered by Guideline RK, LLC and only made available to clients who utilize an eligible payroll provider. For more information on Guideline’s pricing, see here. Guideline uses a third-party to provide custodial services. Custodial fees are paid by Guideline.

Any graphs, charts, and other visual aids (collectively referred to as "image(s)") are provided for information purposes only. None of these images can of themselves be used to make investment decisions. No representation is made that these will assist any person in making investment decisions and no image can capture all factors and variables required in making such decisions.

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