401 (k) for small business in Shrewsbury, MO. Setting up a 401(k) plan for your small business in Shrewsbury, MO can offer various benefits to both you and the people that work for you, helping businesses offer more security and benefits to people in the job market. In addition to offering more benefits than competitors, offering a 401(k) plan also affords numerous tax benefits for both employers and employees. But, some business owners might not be confident they want to move forward because of the time involved in setting up and maintaining a plan, in addition to the complex web of regulations, laws, and investment options available.
At Correct Capital Wealth Management, our Shrewsbury, MO financial planners 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, so you can focus on growing your business while we focus on growing your and your employees' savings. 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 Shrewsbury, MO.
Why You Should Up a 401(k) for Your Small Shrewsbury, MO Business
Setting up and operating a 401(k) for a small business in Shrewsbury, MO has numerous benefits, for you, your workers, and your business's bottom line:
- Attract and keep great talent — Providing a 401(k) plan is an important asset for attracting and keeping accomplished talent, especially if many Shrewsbury, 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 you offer 401(k)s to rank-and-file employees as well.
- Tax benefits — Both businesses and employees can reduce their tax liability with a 401(k) plan. Matching contributions employers make are tax deductible to the extent that the contributions are not more than the annual corporate tax deduction limit on employer contributions, which is 25% of covered payroll. The federal government also offers tax credits when employers first set up a 401(k) plan, and if the employer offers automatic enrollment. Employee contributions reduce their taxable income and their contributions grow tax free.
- Increased employee retirement savings — A retirement account allows employees to feel more confident about how they'll spend their golden years. Greater financial security ultimately leads to more productivity.
- Decreased liability — Employers assume a fiduciary responsibility to their employees when they offer retirement plans, which involves a wide range of investment savvy and obligations. If you work with an ERISA 3(38) Fiduciary provider to assist you with your small business's 401(k), most of that liability will be placed on them.
- Simple administration — When you offer your small business 401(k) plan with a 3(16) administrator, they'll manage the vast majority of employee education, compliance, and administrative tasks for you, so you can benefit from the rewards of offering a plan without much nuisance. In addition, advisors can help with 401(k) payroll integration for further simplicity. If an employee moves to a new company, they can effortlessly rollover their 401(k) to an IRA or new 401(k) without much hassle to you.
Types of 401(k) Plans That Can Help Your Small Business in Shrewsbury, MO
Depending on your industry, your "small business" may have up to 1,500 employees, or it may just be yourself. 401(k) plans are available to all businesses, regardless of size:
401(k) Plans
In any 401(k) plan, employees can contribute through payroll deductions. Most 401(k)s offer a wide range of investments that may include mutual funds, index funds, bonds, and company stock. Employers can make matching contributions as an added benefit to employees. Most 401(k) plans must meet strict nondiscrimination requirements, and are subject to yearly tests to ensure the plan doesn't favor highly compensated employees. The IRS mandates contribution limits each year; in 2023 the limit is $22,500, unless you are 50 or older, in which case you can contribute an additional $7,500 as a catch-up contribution.
Shrewsbury, MO businesses 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 key difference between traditional and Roth deferrals is when your employees pay taxes on their contributions. 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. 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 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 been contributing for at least five years and is 59-½ years old when the withdrawal is made. Roth 401(k)s are becoming more popular as they allow employees to diversify their tax exposure in retirement.
- Safe Harbor Provision — If you opt for this provision, as a business owner you would be obligated to make fully vested contributions to your employees' accounts. To meet Safe Harbor requirements, you have four options:
- 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 decide not to. The default contribution rate starts at 3% and increases by 1% annually until it reaches a maximum of 6%, unless the employee chooses 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
These are are meant for owner-only businesses, or businesses where the only employees are spouses. 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 a businesses owner. Unlike other 401(k) plans, individual 401(k)s are not subject to 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 employees. If you're considering opening a 401(k) plan for your small Shrewsbury, MO business, schedule a meeting with a member of our team today to get started.
How a Financial Advisor Can Help Your Shrewsbury, MO Small Business With Your 401(k) Plans
Even considering the great things a 401(k) plan can do for a small business, some Shrewsbury, MO employers might still be wary, 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 assist with your small business’s 401(k) plan:
- Plan design — A few detailed Google searches can't come close to providing the same degree of skill and experience as a licensed advisory firm. Financial advisors can work with small business owners to design a 401(k) plan meant expressly to benefit them. They can help choose the right type of plan, set up contribution and matching formulas, and establish eligibility requirements.
- Establishing and operating a plan — There are numerous requirements you must adhere to when beginning your small business 401(k). You have to:
- 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 handle the operation and annual reviews of the plan.
- Marketing your 401(k) plan to those in the job market — The word "401(k)" might appear on a job ad 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 specific 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 provide investment insight, as well as work within investment principles such as diversification, risk tolerance, and rebalancing to best 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 them can lead to stiff fines. A financial advisor can help to ensure your recordkeeper and plan administrator do not inadvertently break with the regulations.
- Fiduciary responsibility — When offering a retirement plan, small business owners have a fiduciary duty to act with diligence, prudence, and care. We are ethically 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 Shrewsbury, MO small business owners who want to experience the benefits of a 401(k) plan. By consulting 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 Start a 401(k) For Your Small Business in Shrewsbury, MO
If you own a small business in Shrewsbury, MO, you want to focus on what you do best and what you're passionate about – not being distracted 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 Shrewsbury, MO business today, call Correct Capital at 314-930-401(k) or contact us online.
