401(k) for small business in Wildwood, MO. Establishing a 401(k) plan for your small business in Wildwood, MO provides various benefits to both employers and employees, helping businesses offer more security and benefits to prospective employees. In addition to offering more benefits than competitors, offering a 401(k) plan also affords numerous tax benefits for both employers and employees. However, some business owners might not be confident they want to move forward because of the time involved in setting up and operating an account, as well as the complexities of investment and financial laws.
At Correct Capital Wealth Management, our Wildwood, MO financial planners and retirement consultants work with companies large and small to offer 401(k) plans that fit their business and provide stability for their employees. We take the heavy financial lifting off your plate while you focus on making your business flourish. Speak to a Correct Capital team member 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 Wildwood, MO.
Why You Should Up a 401(k) for Your Small Wildwood, MO Business
Establishing and maintaining a 401(k) for a small business in Wildwood, MO can do wonders for employers, your employees, and your business's bottom line:
- recruit and retain top talent — Offering a 401(k) plan can be an essential tool for recruiting and retaining skilled employees, especially if many Wildwood, MO companies are hiring for the same job. Some employees will even quit their job over a 401(k), 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 how much they owe in taxes with a 401(k) plan. Matching contributions from employers are tax deductible up to the yearly corporate tax deduction limit on employer contributions, as stipulated in section 404 of the Internal Revenue Code. The federal government also offers tax credits when employers first establish 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 financial security for employees — A retirement account allows employees to save for retirement through automatic contributions deducted from their paychecks. Greater financial security ultimately leads to a more productive workforce.
- Decreased liability — Employers take on a fiduciary responsibility to their employees when they provide retirement plans, which involves a a deep level 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), the majority of that fiduciary duty will go to them.
- Ease of administration — When you parter with a 3(16) administrator to administer your small business 401(k) plan, they'll manage the lion's share of employee education, compliance, and administrative tasks 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 job elsewhere, they can effortlessly rollover their 401(k) to an IRA or new 401(k) without you having to do much work.
Types of 401(k) Plans That Can Help Your Small Business in Wildwood, 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 contribute through payroll deductions. Most 401(k)s offer many different investment options. Employers can employers can deposit an equal amount as their employees as an added perk to employees. Most 401(k) plans must meet stringent nondiscrimination requirements, and are subject to 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 deposit an additional $7,500 as a catch-up contribution.
Wildwood, 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 — The main difference between traditional and Roth deferrals is when your employees pay taxes on their contributions. With a traditional deferral, contributions are tax-deferred, meaning the contributions are made before taxes are taken out, 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 there are no taxes when the money's withdrawn, as 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 reduce tax liability in retirement.
- Safe Harbor Provision — If you opt for this provision, as an employer you would be required 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 chooses 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 money is taken out of their paycheck unless they choose to opt out or contribute a different amount. The default contribution rate starts at 3% and increases by 1% annually until it maxes out at 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
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 save more 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 thinking of opening a 401(k) plan for your small Wildwood, MO business, make an appointment with a member of our team today to find out more about the benefits and options available to you.
How a Financial Advisor Can Help Your Wildwood, MO Small Business With Your 401(k) Plans
Even considering the great things a 401(k) plan can do for a small business, some Wildwood, MO employers might still be uneasy, as managing a 401(k) plan is complex and time-consuming. That’s where a financial advisor can help. Here are some ways that a financial advisor can assist with your small business’s 401(k) plan:
- Plan design — A handful of detailed Google searches are a poor replacement for years of experience and working on retirement plans every day. Financial advisors can partner 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 right type of plan, set up contribution and matching formulas, and establish eligibility requirements.
- Establishing and managing a plan — There are numerous requirements you must adhere to when establishing your small business 401(k). You must:
- 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 assist with all of the above requirements, and manage the operation and yearly reviews of the plan.
- Advertising your 401(k) plan to prospective employees — The term "401(k)" might appear on a job ad as a bullet point, 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 definite 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 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 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 can speak directly to your small business's employees so they're confident with the status of their retirement savings.
- Compliance — Employers must adhere to various rules and contribution limits when offering a 401(k) plan. Not following them can lead to harsh fees. A financial advisor can help to ensure your recordkeeper and plan administrator do not accidentally fail to comply with a requirement.
- 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 obligated to do what's in your best interest, and in the best interest of your employees and their funds.
A financial advisor offers remarkable value to Wildwood, 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 prospective employees.
Call Correct Capital to Start a 401(k) For Your Small Business in Wildwood, MO
If you own a small business in Wildwood, MO, you want to spend your energy on what you do best and what you're passionate about – not being distracted by administrative tasks 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 Wildwood, MO business today, call Correct Capital at 314-930-401(k) or contact us online.
