401 (k) for small business in Oakville, MO. Setting up a 401(k) plan for your small business in Oakville, MO can offer numerous benefits to both employers and employees, helping businesses offer more security and benefits to people in the job market. In addition to offering more benefits than competitors, providing a 401(k) plan can also help both businesses and employees reduce their tax liability. However, some business owners might not be confident they want to proceed because of the time involved in establishing and maintaining a plan, in addition to the intricate web of regulations, laws, and investment options available.
At Correct Capital Wealth Management, our Oakville, MO financial planners and retirement consultants work with companies large and small to offer customized and successful 401(k) plans. We do the financial and administrative work for you, so you can focus on growing your business while we focus on growing your and your employees' retirement accounts. Speak to a Correct Capital team member today at 314-930-401(k) or complete our online form to get started with establishing a 401(k) for your small business in Oakville, MO.
Why You Should Up a 401(k) for Your Small Oakville, MO Business
Establishing and maintaining a 401(k) for a small business in Oakville, MO can do wonders for employers, your employees, and your business's bottom line:
- Attract and keep top employees — Providing retirement plans is a valuable asset for recruiting and retaining top talent, especially if many Oakville, MO companies are hiring 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 they are offered to people beyond management.
- Tax deductions — Both employers and employees can reduce their tax liability with a 401(k) plan. Matching contributions from employers are tax deductible to the extent that the contributions do not surpass the yearly corporate tax deduction limit on employer contributions, which is 25% of covered payroll. The federal government also offers tax credits when businesses 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 401(k) plan allows employees to feel better about how they'll live in retirement. Greater financial security ultimately leads to a more productive workforce.
- Reduced liability — Employers take on a fiduciary duty to their employees when they offer retirement plans, which involves a a deep level of investment savvy and obligations. If you partner with an ERISA 3(38) Fiduciary provider to assist you with your small business's 401(k), most of that fiduciary duty will go to them.
- Simple administration — When you offer your small business 401(k) plan with a 3(16) administrator, they'll take care of the critical tasks of employee education, compliance, and administrative responsibilities on your behalf, so you can benefit from the rewards of offering a plan without putting in too much work yourself. Additionally, advisors can help integrate contributions with your payroll system for further simplicity. If an employee takes a new job elsewhere, they can simply perform a 401(k) rollover to an IRA or new 401(k) without much hassle to you.
What 401(k) Plans Are Available to Small Businesses in Oakville, 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 contribute through payroll deductions. Most 401(k)s have a wide range of investments that may include mutual funds, index funds, bonds, and company stock. Employers can employers can deposit an equal amount as their employees as an added benefit to employees. Most 401(k) plans must follow stringent nondiscrimination requirements, and perform yearly tests to ensure they remain compliant. The IRS mandates contribution limits each year; in 2023 that is $22,500, unless you are 50 or older, in which case you can contribute an additional $7,500 as a catch-up contribution.
Oakville, MO employers with multiple employees have a few different things to think about 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 it is pre-tax money, and the employee can then deduct the amount deposited from their taxable income. Taxes are paid when the money is withdrawn.
With Roth deferrals, contributions are made with money the employee's already paid taxes on, meaning the money grows tax-free and the savings and any gains can be withdrawn tax-free, 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 increasingly popular as they allow employees 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, whether or not the employee decides to contribute to the plan.
- 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 percentage of their pay contributed to the plan unless they decide not to. The automatic contribution rate starts at 3% and increases by 1% each year until it reaches a maximum of 6%, unless the employee decides on a different contribution rate.
In exchange for obligatory employer contributions, Safe Harbor plans are not subject to nondiscrimination testing.
Solo or Individual 401(k) Plan
These are intended for owner-only businesses, or a business where the only employee is a spouse. Contributions are tax deductible and the money is taxed when it's withdrawn. This type of retirement account allows individuals to make contributions both as an employer and as an employee, providing higher contribution limits than many other individual-based retirement plans. Unlike other 401(k) plans, individual 401(k)s do not require annual filings with the IRS unless the account balance exceeds $250,000.
The "best" plan for your will depend on your business and your and your employees' needs. If you're considering establishing a 401(k) plan for your small Oakville, MO business, make an appointment with a member of our team today to get started.
How a Financial Advisor Can Help Small Oakville, MO Businesses With Their 401(k) Plans
Even considering the great things a 401(k) plan can do for a small business, some Oakville, MO employers might still be uneasy, as managing a 401(k) plan is complex and time-consuming. That’s where we come in. Here are some ways that our advisory firm can help make your life easier in regards to your small business's 401(k) plan:
- Plan design — A handful of quick internet searches are a poor replacement for decades of experience and everyday interaction with retirement plans. Financial advisors can work with small business owners to develop a 401(k) plan that meets the specific needs of their business and employees. They can help choose the plan that works best for you, set up contribution and matching formulas, and establish eligibility requirements.
- Establishing and managing a plan — There are specific steps you must take when beginning your small business 401(k). You have to:
- Adopt a written plan document
- Arrange a trust fund for plan assets
- Establish a record keeping system
- Provide plan information to participant
A financial advisory firm can do all of that for you, and oversee the operation and annual reviews of your 401(k).
- Advertising your 401(k) plan to prospective employees — The word "401(k)" might appear on a job listing in a list of benefits, but many in the job market don't fully understand what a 401(k) can do for them. We can connect the words "401(k)" to concrete steps to people living the golden years of their dreams.
- Investment selection — Financial advisors who are an Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) and are well versed in portfolio management will be able to offer market insight, as well as work within investment concepts such as diversification, risk tolerance, and rebalancing to best position employees' money for further growth.
- Employee education — The more an employee understands their 401(k) plan, the more it will help them. At Correct Capital, we offer both group classes and one-on-one counseling sessions with our small business clients' employees so they're confident with how their money is being held and invested.
- Compliance — 401(k) plans have different rules and contribution limits. Not following them can lead to harsh penalties. A financial advisor can help to ensure your recordkeeper and plan administrator do not accidentally fail to comply with a requirement.
- Fiduciary duty — As a plan sponsor, small business owners have a fiduciary responsibility to act in the best interest of plan participants. We are morally and legally bound to do what's in your best interest, and in the best interest of your employees and their retirement accounts.
A financial advisor offers considerable value to Oakville, MO small business owners who are looking to set up a 401(k) plan. By consulting 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 Start a 401(k) For Your Small Business in Oakville, MO
If you own a small business in Oakville, MO, you want to spend your energy on what you do best and what you're passionate about – not being bogged down by retirement plan responsibilities 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 Oakville, MO business today, call Correct Capital at 314-930-401(k) or contact us online.
