Starter

Starter 401(k): Jump start your team's savings

Starter plans come with a low price point and easy administration.

Meet Starter, a new type of retirement plan
Starter is our newest pricing tier. It provides an all-in-one 401(k) experience with limited features and flexibility. It was designed to qualify as a Starter 401(k) — a new type of retirement plan introduced by Congress in 2022.
  • Predictable employer costs
  • Exempt from IRS testing
  • State mandate compliant1
A simplified benefit at an affordable price

Employer pricing

$39

/ month

+

$4

/ month per active participant2

Starter plans must be connected with one of our eligible payroll providers6

What’s included

  • Recordkeeping
    We serve as the recordkeeper to track your 401(k) plan’s balances, transactions, and deferrals. We’ll provide and maintain required plan documents, summary plan descriptions and most regulatory notices.
  • Government filing
    We prepare standard annual reports for no extra fee, including Form 55003 and 1099-R.
  • Investment management
    We manage the investment portfolio, select and monitor funds, and rebalance portfolios automatically. Learn more
  • Low-cost investments
    Combined with our management fees, investing for retirement with Guideline could cost an individual up to 6x less than industry average.4
  • Payroll integration
    We integrate with popular payroll providers so businesses can connect their plan and simplify plan administration. Learn more
  • Custodial services
    Through a third party custodian, we’ll process transactions, execute trades, safeguard plan assets and more.
  • Fiduciary responsibilities
    We serve as the ERISA 3(16)5 and 3(38) plan fiduciaries—which cover plan administration and investment management. This means we are legally (and morally) obligated to work in the plan and participants’ best interest.
  • Mobile app
    Employees can set up and manage their 401(k) account on their phone or desktop.
Set up an easy, affordable Starter plan in as little as 20 minutes.
Get started

Looking for a more robust plan? Look no further.

Starter 401(k) plans do have limitations like lower contribution limits and no employer contributions. If you’d like to set up a plan with more options and flexibility, you may want to consider Core or Enterprise.

Compare our Starter and Core plans

Starter
Core
  • Monthly employer fee
    $39/month
    +$4 per active participant
    $89/month
    +$8 per active participant
  • Maximum employee contributions7
    $6,000
    $23,500
  • Optional 401(k) match
    No
    Yes
  • Payroll provider
    Eligible integrated partners only
    Support for any payroll provider
  • Compliance testing
    Exempt
    Included
  • Federal tax credit eligibility8
    Yes, up to $16,500
    Yes, up to $16,500
  • Satisfies state mandates1
    Yes
    Yes
  • Optional eligibility requirements
    No, all employees 18+ are immediately eligible
    Yes

Want to see the full set of features?

Compare all of our pricing options

Estimate your 401(k) plan costs with our calculator

If you’re starting a new 401(k), your company 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.8

Frequently asked questions

Get a retirement plan your team will love
Explore plans