401 (k) for small business in Olivette, MO. Initiating a 401(k) plan for your small business in Olivette, MO provides 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 lower their tax liability. However, some business owners might not be sure if they want to proceed because of the time commitment, in addition to the complex web of regulations, laws, and investment options available.
At Correct Capital Wealth Management, our Olivette, MO financial advisors and retirement consultants work with companies large and small to offer 401(k) plans that fit what their business needs and what their employees want. We do most of the work for you while you focus on your business. Call Correct Capital today at 314-930-401(k) or fill out our online form to get started with creating a 401(k) for your small business in Olivette, MO.
Should I Establish a 401(k) For My Olivette, MO Small Business?
Establishing and operating a 401(k) for a small business in Olivette, MO has numerous benefits, for employers, your employees, and your business goals alike:
- Attract and keep great employees — Providing retirement plans can be an important tool for recruiting and retaining top talent, especially if many Olivette, MO companies are hiring for the same job. One survey says 401(k) plans are the most important financial benefit to employees, and offering one can help differentiate your business from competitors, especially if you offer 401(k)s to rank-and-file employees as well.
- Tax deductions — Both employers and employees can reduce their tax liability with a 401(k) plan. Matching contributions from employers are tax deductible up to the yearly corporate tax deduction limit on employer contributions, as defined in section 404 of the Internal Revenue Code. There are also several tax credits when businesses first set up a 401(k) plan, and if the employer offers automatic enrollment. Employees can benefit from tax-deferred contributions and potentially reduce their taxable income.
- Increased employee retirement savings — A retirement account allows employees to feel more confident about how they'll live in retirement. Greater financial security ultimately leads to more productivity.
- Decreased liability — Employers take on a fiduciary responsibility to their employees when they offer retirement plans, which involves a a deep level of investment understanding and responsibilities. If you work with an ERISA 3(38) Fiduciary advisor to establish and operate your small business's 401(k), the bulk 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 handle the lion's share of employee education, compliance, and administrative responsibilities on your behalf, so you can reap the rewards of offering a plan without much hassle. Furthermore, advisors can help with 401(k) payroll integration for further simplicity. If an employee moves to a new job elsewhere, they can easily perform a 401(k) rollover to a new retirement account without much hassle to you.
Types of 401(k) Plans For Your Small Business in Olivette, MO
Small businesses, depending on what type of company they are, can have anywhere from one to 1,500 employees. 401(k) plans are available to all businesses, regardless of how many employees they have:
401(k) Plans
In any 401(k) plan, employees can put savings into the account through money taken out of their paychecks. Most 401(k)s have a diversity 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 meet 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 you can deposit an additional $7,500 as a catch-up contribution.
Olivette, MO companies with multiple employees have a few different options in how they set up their 401(k) plan:
- Traditional vs. Roth 401(k) Deferrals — Contributions made with a traditional deferral are taxed differently than with a Roth deferral. 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 the savings and any gains can be withdrawn tax-free, as long as the plan participant has been contributing for at least five years and is 59-½ years old when the money is taken out. Roth 401(k)s are becoming increasingly popular as they reduce tax liability in retirement.
- Safe Harbor Provision — If you decide to set up a Safe Harbor 401(k), as a business owner you would be obligated to make contributions that are fully vested when made. To meet Safe Harbor requirements, you have four possible ways to 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 chooses 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 percentage of their pay contributed to the plan unless they choose to opt out or contribute a different amount. The default contribution rate starts at 3% and increases by 1% every year until it reaches a maximum of 6%, unless the employee decides on a different contribution rate.
In exchange for required employer contributions, Safe Harbor plans are not subject to nondiscrimination testing.
Solo or Individual 401(k) Plan
These are are meant for people who are self-employed, or businesses where the only employees are spouses. Contributions are tax deductible and earnings grow tax-deferred until the money is taken out. 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.
What plan works best for your and your employees depends on your business and your and your employees' needs. If you're thinking of setting up a 401(k) plan for your small Olivette, MO business, make an appointment with one of our advisers today to find out more about the benefits and options available to you.
How a Financial Advisor Can Help Small Olivette, MO Businesses With Their 401(k) Plans
Even considering the great things a 401(k) plan can do for a small business, some Olivette, MO employers may 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 our advisory firm can help make your life easier in regards to your small business's 401(k) plan:
- Plan design — A few quick internet searches can't come close to offering the same level of skill and experience as a professional retirement consultant. Financial advisors can work with small business owners to design a 401(k) plan meant expressly to benefit their company. They can help choose the plan that most benefits you, set up contribution and matching formulas, and establish eligibility requirements.
- Initiating and managing a plan — There are specific steps you must take when establishing 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 eligible employees
A financial advisory firm can do all of that for you, and manage the operation and yearly reviews of the plan.
- Advertising your 401(k) plan to potential 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 term "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 qualified to perform portfolio management will be able to offer market insight, as well as work within investment concepts such as diversification, risk tolerance, and rebalancing to optimally position employees' money for further growth.
- Employee education — Employees need to understand their plan in order to get the greatest reward from it. 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 the rules correctly can lead to stiff fines. A financial advisor can help to ensure all of the proper rules are followed.
- Fiduciary responsibility — As a plan sponsor, small business owners have a fiduciary responsibility to act with diligence, prudence, and care. We are morally and legally mandated to do what's in your best interest, and in the best interest of your employees and their retirement accounts.
A financial advisor can provide significant value to Olivette, MO small business owners who want to experience the benefits of a 401(k) plan. By partnering with a financial advisor, small business owners can save on taxes and make their business more attractive to current and potential employees.
Call Correct Capital to Set Up a 401(k) For Your Small Business in Olivette, MO
If you own a small business in Olivette, MO, you want to spend your time on what you do best and what you're passionate about – not being distracted by retirement plan responsibilities you may not have the time, knowledge, or interest to manage. 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 Olivette, MO business today, call Correct Capital at 314-930-401(k) or contact us online.
