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401(k) plans that fit any business

New customers can pay no employer fees for the first 6 months with a Guideline Starter, Core, or Enterprise plan when they sign up via this page.

Plans are subject to auto-renewal. Expires 12/31/25. Terms apply§
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60K+
businesses1
1M+
savers2
$15B+
invested for retirement3
93%
customer satisfaction score4
Help your employees save more
  • Example visual of what happens when a payroll is connected with Guideline.

    Full payroll integration

    Automate your 401(k) experience with direct payroll sync to top payroll providers.
  • An infographic showing the different investment options available through Guideline 401(k) plans.

    Up to 6x lower investment fees

    Our managed portfolios have up to 6x less fees than the industry average.5 Those savings really add up.
  • Visual of Guideline's mobile app icon

    Premium employee experience

    Easy-to-read dashboards, automated investing, and our award-winning mobile app make tracking your retirement a breeze.6

Get set up in just 10 minutes

We’ll help walk you through the whole process, start to finish.
Let’s get startedTalk to a specialist
Amex Members enjoy $0 employer fees for 6 months§
New customers can pay no employer fees for the first 6 months with a Guideline Starter, Core, or Enterprise plan when they sign up via this page. Plans are subject to auto-renewal. Expires 12/31/25. Terms apply.§
  • Starter
    Special offer
    $39
    $0
    / month
    +$4/mo per active participant
    $0
    A simplified 401(k) with limited features and easy administration.
    Connect
    • $6,000 employee contribution limit
    • No employer contributions
    • Exempt from IRS testing
  • Core
    Special offer
    $89
    $0
    / month
    +$8/mo per active participant
    $0
    Our most popular 401(k) with robust features and more plan design options.
    Connect
    • $23,500 employee contribution limit7
    • Safe Harbor8 or Traditional 401(k)
    • Features like employer contributions and profit sharing
  • Enterprise
    Special offer
    $149
    $0
    / month
    + active participant fee
    $0
    Our most custom 401(k) with premium support and flexible pricing that scales as you grow.
    Contact sales
    • $23,500 employee contribution limit7
    • Flexible pricing options
    • Premium support for plan admin and employees
    • Support for plan transfers

Calculator

Estimate your plan costs with our calculator

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.9
Melissa W.Co-Founder and CEO @ Zipline
Guideline is practically a 1-click setup that integrates with our payroll system and is incredibly easy to manage — helping us provide our employees with an essential benefit.Client of Guideline. Views may not be representative of other clients.
Get a 401(k) that checks all the boxes.
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Frequently asked questions

What are the benefits of a 401(k) plan compared to other retirement options?

401(k) plans are popular because they offer a lot of flexibility in plan design options, integrate with payroll systems, and work as a great hiring tool.

How many employees do you need to set up a 401(k)?

There is no minimum number of employees required when setting up a 401(k) with Guideline. You can set up a 401(k) with just an owner or for a single employee.

Can I set up a 401(k) for my LLC?

Yes, Guideline works with many different types of businesses and entity structures such as LLCs.

When can my plan start?

While setting up a Guideline 401(k) only takes about 20 minutes, it generally takes about 40 days until first contributions are made. This is due to the automatic enrollment feature on all Guideline 401(k) plans. Generally, eligible employees cannot be automatically enrolled in your plan until 30 days after they receive notice of the auto-enroll feature. This gives them sufficient time to opt-out before the plan begins.

What is auto enrollment?

Auto enrollment is a required feature for all Guideline 401(k) plans. Auto enrollment can help improve IRS nondiscrimination testing results, increase employees’ retirement readiness, and much more. Learn more about auto enrollment

What fees are employers charged?

Employers will be charged $39, $89, or $149/month depending on their pricing plan and $4-$8/month for each active participant in the plan. We don’t charge transaction fees—this includes no plan termination fees10 or Form 5500 prep fees.11See our pricing

Which employees are eligible to participate in the plan?

With Guideline, you can determine your plan eligibility based on your employees’ age and length of service with your company:

→ Age: 18, 19, 20, or 21 years
→ Length of service: 0, 3, 6, 12 months

We do not distinguish between part time and full time employees.

  • 1
    As of April 2025
  • 2
    As of December 2024
  • 3
    Total number of Savers, both active and non-active, that have participated in Guideline products from 2016-2024.
  • 4
    Guideline’s average plan sponsor satisfaction score (CSAT) based on feedback received from 1/1/2024 to 12/31/2024.
  • 5
    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 1.26% of assets, according to the 25th Edition of the 401k Averages Book, with data updated through September 30, 2024, 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 0.058% to 0.061% 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.
  • 6

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

  • 7
    May be adjusted annually to account for IRS cost-of-living adjustments. Learn more
  • 8
    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.
  • 9
    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.
  • 10
    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.
  • 11
    Third-party auditor fees will apply to large plans where an audit is required. These fees are not charged by Guideline.
  • §
    This offer is made by Guideline and is for no employer fees for the first 6 months when you sign a new Guideline contract for a Guideline Starter, Core, or Enterprise subscription plan. Employer fees included in this promotion are the monthly base fee charged to the 401(k)-plan sponsor and the monthly active participant fee. Participant paid fees are not included in this promotion and will still apply. To be eligible for this offer you must be a new Guideline customer. A new Guideline customer is defined as a business that has not previously had a Guideline 401k plan for their business. To redeem this offer, you must sign your new plan documents via the dedicated American Express landing page by December 31, 2025 at 11:59pm ET. After six free months, you will be auto-billed each month beginning in your seventh month and will continue to be auto-billed monthly at Guideline’s current, regular Starter, Core, or Enterprise price thereafter (currently $39/mo + $4/mo per active participant, $89/mo + $8/mo per active participant, or $149/mo + a per active participant fee, respectively, but subject to change). Your Guideline subscription plan will automatically renew each month, unless you terminate the plan pursuant to Guideline’s Plan Service Agreement and applicable policies. Flexible pricing opportunities may affect this promotion. Contact Sales at hello@guideline.com for further details. Any information you provide to Guideline will be subject to Guideline’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Fulfillment of the offer is the sole responsibility of Guideline. Offers are subject to change at any time without notice to you. Offer is nontransferable and cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit one offer per new Guideline customer.

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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