401 (k) for small business in Jefferson County, MO. Initiating a 401(k) plan for your small business in Jefferson County, MO provides numerous benefits to both you and the people that work for you, helping businesses offer more security and benefits to prospective employees. Beyond just attracting top talent, offering a 401(k) plan also affords numerous tax benefits for both employers and employees. However, some business owners may still be wary because of the time commitment, in addition to the complex web of regulations, laws, and investment opportunities available.
At Correct Capital Wealth Management, our Jefferson County, MO financial planners and retirement consultants help companies of all sizes offer customized and effective 401(k) plans. We do the financial and administrative work for you while you focus on making your business thrive. Call Correct Capital today at 314-930-401(k) or contact us online to get started with setting up a 401(k) for your small business in Jefferson County, MO.
Why You Should Up a 401(k) for Your Small Jefferson County, MO Business
Setting up and maintaining a 401(k) for a small business in Jefferson County, MO has numerous benefits, for employers, your employees, and your business goals alike:
- recruit and keep great talent — Providing retirement plans is an essential asset for attracting and keeping top talent, particularly if many Jefferson County, MO companies are advertising for the same job. Some employees will even quit their job over a 401(k), and offering one can help your business stand out, especially if you offer 401(k)s to rank-and-file employees as well.
- Tax deductions — Both businesses and employees can reduce their tax liability with a 401(k) plan. Matching contributions employers make are tax deductible up to the yearly corporate tax deduction limit on employer contributions, which is 25% of covered payroll. There are also several tax credits when employers first set up a 401(k) plan, and if the employer offers automatic enrollment. Employees enjoy tax-deferred contributions and potentially reduce their taxable income.
- Increased employee retirement savings — A retirement account allows employees to save for retirement through automatic contributions deducted from their paychecks. Greater financial security eventually leads to more productivity.
- Reduced liability — Employers owe a fiduciary responsibility to their employees when they provide retirement plans, which involves a a deep level of investment knowledge and obligations. If you partner with an ERISA 3(38) Fiduciary advisor to initiate and operate your small business's 401(k), much of that liability will be passed onto them.
- Ease of administration — When you offer your small business 401(k) plan with a 3(16) administrator, they'll manage the lion's share of employee education, compliance, and administrative duties on your behalf, so you can benefit from the rewards of offering a plan without putting in too much work yourself. In addition, advisors can help integrate contributions with your payroll system for further simplicity. If an employee moves to a new company, they can easily rollover their 401(k) to a new retirement account without much hassle to you.
Types of 401(k) Plans For Your Small Business in Jefferson County, MO
Small businesses, depending on what type of company they are, can have anywhere from one to 1,500 employees. However many employees you have, there is a 401(k) plan that will work for you:
401(k) Plans
In any 401(k) plan, employees can put funds into the account through payroll deductions. Most 401(k)s offer a diversity of investment options. Employers can employers can deposit an equal amount as their employees as an additional perk to employees. Most 401(k) plans must adhere to strict nondiscrimination requirements, and undergo yearly tests to ensure they remain compliant. The IRS sets contribution limits each year; in 2023 that is $22,500, unless you are 50 or older, in which case the limit is $30,000.
Jefferson County, MO companies with multiple employees have a few different considerations to make when setting up their 401(k) plan:
- Traditional vs. Roth 401(k) Deferrals — The main difference between traditional and Roth deferrals is the tax benefits. With a traditional deferral, contributions are tax-deferred, meaning the money is deposited before taxes are taken out, and the employee can then deduct the amount contributed from their taxable income. When the money is withdrawn it is taxed as ordinary income at the employee's tax rate at the time of withdrawal.
With Roth deferrals, contributions are made with after-tax dollars, meaning the money grows tax-free and there are no taxes when the money's withdrawn, so long as the plan participant has had the account for five years and is 59-½ years old when the withdrawal is made. Roth 401(k)s are becoming more popular as they allow plan participants to diversify their tax exposure in retirement.
- Safe Harbor Provision — If you opt for this provision, as an employer you would be obligated to make contributions that are fully vested when made. There are four ways in which an employer can contribute:
- In a non-elective contribution, an employer must contribute 3% of each eligible employee's compensation to the plan, regardless of whether the employee decides to themselves.
- With matching contributions, the employer must match 100% of each eligible employee's contributions up to 3% of their compensation, plus an additional 50% match on the next 2% of their compensation.
- Enhanced Safe Harbor plans provide a 100% employer match on up to 4% of an employee's compensation.
- In a Qualified Automatic Contribution Arrangement (QACA), employees are automatically enrolled in the plan and have a part of their pay contributed to the plan unless they choose to opt out or contribute a different amount. The automatic contribution rate starts at 3% and increases by 1% each year until it maxes out at 6%, unless the employee decides on a different contribution rate.
Because you are required to make contributions, your company would not be subject to nondiscrimination testing.
Solo or Individual 401(k) Plan
Solo and Individual 401(k) plans are intended for owner-only businesses, or a business where the only employee is a spouse. Contributions can be deducted from taxable income and the money is taxed when it's withdrawn. This allows participants to make higher contributions as they can make contributions both as an employee and an employer. Unlike other 401(k) plans, individual 401(k)s do not require annual filings with the IRS unless the account balance is more than $250,000.
What plan works best for your and your employees depends on your business and employees. If you're considering establishing a 401(k) plan for your small Jefferson County, MO business, schedule a meeting with one of our advisers today to get started.
How a Financial Advisor Can Help Small Jefferson County, MO Businesses With Their 401(k) Plans
Given the benefits of a small business offering a 401(k) plan, some Jefferson County, MO employers might still be wary, as managing a 401(k) plan is complex and time-consuming. That’s where a financial advisor can help. Here are some some of the many ways that a financial advisor can assist with your small business’s 401(k) plan:
- Plan design — A handful of quick internet searches can't come close to offering the same degree of skill and experience as a professional retirement consultant. Financial advisors can work with small business owners to create a 401(k) plan meant specifically to benefit them. They can help choose the right type of plan, set up contribution and matching formulas, and establish eligibility requirements.
- Initiating and managing a plan — There are numerous requirements you must follow when establishing your small business 401(k). You must:
- Adopt a written plan document
- Arrange a trust fund for plan assets
- Develop a record keeping system
- Provide plan information to participant
A financial advisory firm can assist with all of the above requirements, and oversee the operation and yearly reviews of the plan.
- Marketing your 401(k) plan to prospective employees — The word "401(k)" might show up on a job ad in a list of benefits, but many in the job market don't know the full benefits a plan provides. We can bridge the phrase "401(k)" to specific images of a more secure retirement, with very clear stepping stones on how to get there.
- Investment selection — Financial advisors who are an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and are experienced with portfolio management will be able to provide investment insight, as well as work within investment concepts such as diversification, risk tolerance, and rebalancing to optimally position employees' funds for further growth.
- Employee education — The more an employee understands their 401(k) plan, the more it will help them. At Correct Capital, we can speak directly to your small business's employees so feel at ease with how their money is being held and invested.
- Compliance — Employers must abide by various rules and contribution limits when offering a 401(k) plan. Not following the rules correctly can lead to stiff penalties. A financial advisor can help to ensure all of the proper rules are followed.
- Fiduciary responsibility — When offering a retirement plan, small business owners have a fiduciary duty to act with diligence, prudence, and care. We are morally and legally required to do what's in your best interest, and in the best interest of your employees and their funds.
A financial advisor can provide significant value to Jefferson County, MO small business owners who want to experience the benefits of a 401(k) plan. By working with a financial advisor, small business owners can provide a valuable benefit to their employees while also managing risk and ensuring the plan’s long-term success.
Call Correct Capital to Establish a 401(k) For Your Small Business in Jefferson County, MO
If you own a small business in Jefferson County, MO, you want to spend your time on why you started your business – not being distracted by administrative tasks you may or may not be knowledgeable about. As a Registered Investment Advisor with CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals, Correct Capital can both help position your and your employees' money for growth while giving you peace of mind that your small business's 401(k) plan is being operated efficiently and correctly. To start setting up a 401(k) for your small Jefferson County, MO business today, call Correct Capital at 314-930-401(k) or contact us online.
