? Key takeaways: Robo-advisors provide software-based management tools for investing. Portfolios managed with a robo-advisor generally tend to be cheaper to use than human-advised portfolios. These cost savings can add to your company’s bottom line. Robo-advisors intend to keep portfolios optimally diversified, which could lead to better returns over time for plan participants. Guideline offers six retirement portfolios that are managed under a robo-advisor model. There are many benefits to offering a 401(k) plan. A retirement benefit can encourage employees to stick around and help busines ..read more

? Key takeaways: Traditional and Roth IRAs are tax-advantaged accounts that can help you save for retirement. Saving with a Traditional IRA typically gives you a tax benefit in the present, and a Roth IRA can help you save on taxes later in retirement. You can have both a Roth and a Traditional IRA if you meet the eligibility requirements. An individual retirement account, commonly known as an IRA, is a tax-advantaged investment account that can help you save for retirement. Whether you're just starting your career or getting close to retirement, an IRA can help you build a solid financial ..read more

? Key takeaways: 401(k) loans involve an eligible employee borrowing funds from their 401(k). Not all companies offer 401(k) loans; it’s up to each plan sponsor to decide. 401(k) loans can help drive plan participation and provide an attractive way for eligible employees to borrow money. 401(k) loans are governed by many rules and regulations, so it’s important as a plan sponsor to get expert advice from a financial professional to make sure you set up a plan that works for you. As a 401(k) plan sponsor, you’re likely facing a lot of important decisions. One of those key decisions is whethe ..read more

Does your company’s 401(k) plan benefit all your employees equally, or does it favor owners and executives who make more money? That’s what the two major 401(k) nondiscrimination tests try to assess each year. What do you need to do to pass the tests? Well, our friends at the IRS have made that piece of the equation a little more complex, so let’s take a closer look at what each nondiscrimination test measures, how to apply them, and what it means if your plan fails. As you read this, also keep in mind that it’s possible to set up a Safe Harbor 401(k) plan, that's exempt from most nondiscrimi ..read more

When it comes to keeping employees engaged, there are more options available today than ever before. From generous PTO policies to budgets dedicated to employee learning and development, many businesses are searching for fresh strategies to keep their teams happy and productive. But despite these efforts, the numbers don’t lie —  employee turnover is high, and managers are often left struggling to fill open positions. We recently conducted a survey to better understand how both employers and employees value retirement benefits.¹ While employers and employees agree that retirement benefit ..read more

? Key takeaways: Most businesses in the US currently don't offer a retirement plan, but recent policy changes could mean that many more companies will need to offer one to stay compliant. New tax credits can help reduce the cost of offering a retirement plan, like a 401(k). Offering a 401(k) has been shown to help employers attract and retain talent One of the most common ways people save for retirement is through employer-sponsored retirement plans, like a 401(k). A recent survey showed that 90% of jobseekers say a 401(k) plan is a must-have benefit. However, many small and mid-sized busin ..read more

? Key takeaways: Generally, any business can offer a 401(k) plan. However, only certain types of organizations can offer a 403(b) plan. Both types of plans allow for employer contributions. 403(b) plans have fewer investment options than 401(k) plans. Some organizations may offer both a 403(b) and a 401(k) plan. As an employer designing a retirement benefits program, you likely have many priorities to juggle. You may be thinking: What types of plans will my employees want? What will be affordable for the company? What will be easiest to manage? Luckily, if you’re considering offering 403(b ..read more

As an accountant, you play an essential role in helping your clients achieve important short and long-term financial goals. One of those goals may be planning for retirement. Your experience and confidence in the complex world of retirement planning might vary. But, whether you're a retirement novice or a seasoned expert, your clients may ask you to help guide them through setting up — and even managing — a 401(k). In fact, according to our research, 80% of financial and benefits professionals say they have advised their clients on offering a 401(k), of which nearly 60% say their clients aske ..read more

? Key takeaways: 401(k) plans can have many tax advantages for savers, and different tax rules exist for different types of contributions. Generally, if you don't make a withdrawal from your 401(k), you don't have to report anything in your annual tax filing. If you've made withdrawals from your 401(k), you must report them on your annual tax filing with Form 1099-R. Finally, it’s everyone's favorite season. No, not spring — we're talking about tax season. If you're saving for retirement with a 401(k), making sense of your plan's tax implications can feel challenging. In this post, we're ta ..read more

If you’re a business owner looking for ways to attract new talent and improve retention, offering a retirement benefit like a 401(k) can be a great way to give your company a competitive advantage. Sounds great, right? As good as it may sound, many companies still don’t offer a retirement plan, with many business owners citing cost as a barrier. In a recent survey, more than two-thirds of benefits decision-makers who don’t offer a retirement plan said they believe offering a 401(k) is cost-prohibitive.¹ While retirement benefits are often perceived as expensive to start and complicated to man ..read more