Meet the mandate.
And then some.

Let someone else handle the heavy lifting for once. A little investment can go a long way to finding peace of mind.

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State retirement programs aren’t really free. You need to consider the administrative labor added to every payroll run.Current client. No compensation was provided. Views may not be representative of other clients.

Find your retirement mandate

20+ 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.1

Click on your state below for more details.

Your 401(k) costs could be covered up to 100%.2
See if you’re eligible

Why choose a Gusto 401(k) powered by Guideline?

Picking a provider that has your back can pay dividends
  • Example visual of what happens when a payroll is connected with Guideline.

    Streamline admin work

    Take most manual admin work out of the equation with automated payroll deductions and seamless employee onboarding.
  • Abstract visual of building blocks

    Optimize your plan

    Build your flexible 401(k) plan with the features your team needs, including employer matching, profit sharing, vesting schedules, eligibility requirements, and more.
  • Visual of Guideline's mobile app icon

    Delight your employees

    With an intuitive dashboard and an award-winning mobile app3, it’s easy for your employees to access their account - anytime, anywhere.
  • Abstract visual of two bar charts.

    Comply with confidence

    We have your back – Meet the mandate without worrying about manual contributions and maintaining employee records.

State governments don’t specialize in retirement. We do.

  • Desktop with mouse on screen. Simple icon.

    ~9 minutes to get started

    We help get you set up and enroll your employees for you, while the state program can add more work to your already full plate.
  • Fingers snapping simple icon.

    Easy and affordable

    74% of customers went with Starter over the state’s program due to less complexity or low cost.4
  • Two hands shaking simple icon.

    Award-winning customer service

    You and your team can get fast, live support via phone and email — bolstering an already strong benefit.5
Flexible options fit for your business
From what you need today to where you’ll be tomorrow, a Gusto 401(k) powered by Guideline scales with your business.

  • Starter

    Simply meet your state’s mandate

    Find peace-of-mind with an out-of-the-box solution. Starter’s simplified plan design and no employer matching makes it easy and affordable to meet the state mandate.

  • Standard 401(k)

    Comply with a more comprehensive benefit

    Take your new employee benefit further than the state requires by offering a 401(k) plan with higher savings limits and more custom plan designs.

Calculator

Your new 401(k) could be 100% covered

If you’re starting a new 401(k), your small business 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.2

Don’t let the state get you down.

Choose a provider that works for you.

Book a demo
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Explore more

  • Payroll and 401(k)--perfectly in sync

    With Gusto and Guideline together, your 401(k) experience is seamlessly synced.
    Sign into Gusto

  • Plans & pricing

    Our 401(k) plans come with low monthly costs and no transaction fees.
    Compare plans

  • Talk to a specialist

    Connect with a member of our team to craft a plan that meets your needs.
    Schedule a call

Self-serve plans

Not a Gusto payroll customer? Not a problem.

If you have a different payroll provider and you're interested in Gusto payroll, our team is here to help. If you're not ready to switch, you can still open a Gusto 401(k). Our self-serve portal lets employers upload payroll reports and process contributions.

Book a demo

  • Compatible with regular and off-cycle payroll runs
  • Visibility and status of previously uploaded payrolls
  • We'll supply aggregated 401(k) info
  • 1
    The information provided herein is general in nature and is for informational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for specific tax, legal and/or financial advice; this summary was prepared from third-party sources as of October 2025. This information is considered to be reliable at the time of writing, may not necessarily be all-inclusive, is not guaranteed as to accuracy and is subject to change at any time without notice. You are advised to consult a qualified financial adviser or tax professional before relying on the information provided. Deadlines, fees, and other program details are subject to change by the state without notice and should be checked prior to making any decisions. If you already offer a qualified employer-sponsored plan, exemptions may be required. Please consult with your state's specific exemption information for more details.
  • 2
    This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be taken as tax advice. Please consult a tax professional to determine what types of tax credits or deductions your company is eligible to claim.
  • 3
    2024 Fast Company Innovation by Design Award Winner for Guideline's mobile application in the Mid-Size business category in June 2024. Fee paid for application.
  • 4
    Source: Based on data collected in 2024 from a survey of 81 Guideline RK, LLC Starter customers. The experiences of the respondents in this survey may not be representative of all people.
  • 5
    2025 The American Business Awards® Bronze Stevie Winner in the Customer Service Team of the Year - Financial Services & Insurance category. Guideline RK, LLC submitted an application fee to qualify. Please see the award criteria here.

This website contains content from Guideline, LLC and its subsidiaries, 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.

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Guideline, LLC is a holding company, wholly-owned by Gusto, Inc. (“Gusto”), that through its subsidiaries, it 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 (“Guideline Investments”), both of which are wholly owned by Guideline, LLC.

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Administrative and recordkeeping services for Gusto’s 401(k) products, and SEP IRA/IRA products, are offered by Guideline RK, LLC (“Guideline”). 3(16) plan administration services are also offered by Guideline and only made available to clients who use the integration services available through Gusto’s payroll services. For more information on Guideline’s pricing, see here. Guideline uses a third-party to provide custodial services. Custodial fees are paid by Guideline.

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