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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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50K+
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.
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.