RetirePathVA vs a Guideline 401(k)

Meet Virginia’s retirement mandate with a simple, powerful Guideline 401(k).

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The mandate in a nutshell

The Virginia RetirePathVA program was established in 2023. It requires Virginia employers with 25+ employees to offer the state-sponsored plan or a qualified alternative like a Guideline 401(k). Compare your options

  • 25+ employees

    Initial deadlines have passed, sign up immediately to avoid penalties

Meet the mandate and more with a Guideline 401(k)

  • Magnifying glass with check mark inside, simple icon.

    Simple setup

    Get started in 20 minutes. We’ll help you choose a plan that meets the mandate and your business’s goals.

  • Lightening bolt simple icon.

    Automated busywork

    Integrations with payroll providers means no need to maintain deductions or manually re-enter payroll data.

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    Live support

    You and your team get access to live support, guided employee onboarding, a mobile app, and more.

Compare RetirePathVA with Guideline Starter

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RetirePath Virginia
  • Retirement plan type

    Starter 401(k)

    Roth IRA

  • Maximum employee contributions for 2024

    $6,000

    $7,000

  • Employee asset-based fee

    0.15%

    ($15 for every $10,000)

    0.20%

    ($20 for every $10,000)

  • Additional active employee fees

    None

    $27/year account fee

    (charged quarterly at $6.75 each quarter)

  • Monthly employer fee

    $39 / month + $4 per participant

    None

  • Investment options

    40

    15

    (Including Indexed Funds)

  • Professionally managed portfolios

    6

    0

  • Employer match

    No

    No

  • Profit Sharing

    No

    No

Keep your business in compliance. Set up a Guideline 401(k) in just 20 minutes.

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.

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Jennifer A.Amaning Family Insurance
Easy to set up. Easy to get help when you need it.Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.

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Virginia retirement mandate FAQs

What is the mandate?

The RetirePath Virginia Program was created to encourage more people to save for retirement. It requires Virginia employers with 25 or more employees to provide access to a retirement plan. The plan can either be a private plan like a 401(k) or the state-sponsored plan.

Which employers are impacted by the retirement mandate?

You are eligible to participate in the RetirePath Virginia Program if:

  • Your business is registered to conduct business in the state of Virginia
  • You have at least twenty five W-2 employees who have worked for you for at least 180 days
  • You have been in business for two or more years; and
  • You don’t currently offer a qualified retirement savings program to your employees

Are there penalties for not offering a retirement benefit?

Yes. Employers that are out of compliance may face an annual penalty of up to $200 per eligible employee.

Does Guideline satisfy the retirement mandate?

Yes. All of Guideline's 401(k) plans are designed to satisfy state program requirements and are priced to be affordable for businesses of all sizes.

Can I move from Guideline Starter to a standard 401(k)?

While it is possible for a plan to convert from a Starter 401(k) to a standard 401(k) plan at Guideline, the transition cannot take place until the beginning of the next calendar year. Learn more here.