Retirement plan consultants in Boston, MA. Establishing a retirement plan like a 401(k) is a strategic step for Boston, MA businesses and business owners looking for a competitive advantage. Retirement plans are a key factor in retaining and attracting top talent, providing employees with a feeling of stability, and fostering a committed workforce. But, for businesses that have not set up a retirement plan before, or for companies looking for a plan upgrade, the wealth of plan options, regulatory compliance, and tax considerations can be challenging.
Correct Capital Wealth Management is an independent Boston, MA financial consultancy firm that specializes in assisting companies set up and maintain customized retirement plans, tailored to the needs of both your business and workforce. We enjoy exploring the unique story behind each business we work with and getting to know the entrepreneurial spirit that guides their leaders. As fiduciary advisors, we have a legal and ethical obligation to act only in your best interest. If you're looking for a retirement plan consultant in Boston, MA to help set up a 401(k) or other plan, reach out to us via 877-930-4015, contact us online, or make an appointment with a member of our advisor team today.
Benefits of Starting a Retirement Plan for Your Boston, MA Business
To understand what a 401(k) or other retirement plan could mean for your Boston, MA business, it's crucial to examine how much it means to your employees:
- 67% of U.S. retirees say there's a retirement crisis in the country; 2 in 5 think they might live longer than their savings last (Source)
- Nearly half of retirees say their income wasn't high enough to save for retirement; 55% blame their employer for not doing enough to help them save (Source)
- In one survey, nearly two-thirds of respondents said their largest source of income in retirement will be their 401(k) (Source)
- 60% of employees cited their employers' retirement plan as a reason they remain; 47% said it's an important reason to join a company; almost half ranked it in their three most desired most desired benefits (Source)
- More than three-quarters of employees with access to a plan choose to participate (Source)
- Nearly eight in ten of younger workers that are 401(k) plan participants are interested in personalized investment advice for their plan (Source)
- Three-quarters of plan participants are "extremely confident" in their ability to make the right financial decisions with the help of a financial advisor (Source)
Saving for retirement is a major concern for most Americans, and Boston, MA businesses that offer retirement plans give themselves a leg up when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. Additionally, there are a host of benefits for both employers and employees that retirement plans offer:
Business Benefits
- Tax deductions for employer contributions
- Earnings on plan assets are tax-free
- Variety of plan options and flexibility to adapt a plan to your business
- Tax credits , among other advantages from the SECURE ACT 2.0, can lower initial costs
- Higher employee retention lowers the annual cost of training new employees
Employee Benefits
- Employees can lower their taxable income
- Contributions and earnings are not taxed until withdrawal
- Easy-to-make contributions through payroll deductions
- Small, regular contributions can grow into significant retirement savings
- Participant assets can be rolled over if they change employers
- Improved financial security in retirement
Types of Retirement Plans Available for Boston, MA Businesses
If you're considering adopting a 401(k) or other plan for your Boston, MA business, there are a range of plan options that may be right for your business:
- 401(k) Plans — The foundation of American retirement plans, 401(k)s allow for a wide range of investments across stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs, and permit employees to save and invest a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out. Employers have the option to match contributions. Safe Harbor 401(k) plans are essentially the same, but employer contributions are required to be fully vested when made. In exchange, safe harbor 401(k)s are not subject to annual nondiscrimination tests.
- 403(b) Plans — Similar to 401(k)s, 403(b)s are specifically designed for employees of educational institutions and non-profits.
- Defined Benefit (Pension) Plans — While 401(k)s and other defined contribution plans operate based on employees contributing a specific amount or percentage of their paycheck, defined benefit plans offer a predetermined monthly withdrawal once an employee reaches retirement. These plans are primarily employer-funded, and the company takes on the investment risk.
- Cash Balance Plans — Cash balance plans are a type of defined benefit plan that accounts for each participant's balance in a hypothetical account, which grows annually through employer contributions and an annual interest rate. This plan offers consistent returns like a traditional pension but with individual accounts similar to a defined contribution plan. It's an attractive option for businesses seeking a middle ground between the security of pension plans and the flexibility of contribution plans.
- Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRAs — SEP plans offer a straightforward way for small businesses to sponsor retirement plans. Employers make contributions directly to an IRA established for each employee. SEPs are easy to administer, with no significant paperwork, and contributions are deductible for the business. They're particularly well-suited for businesses with fluctuating income, as the contribution amounts can be modified annually.
- Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRA — SIMPLE IRAs are designed for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees. These plans are simpler to manage than 401(k)s but allow employees to contribute a part of their income to the plan, which employers are required to match up to a certain percentage. SIMPLE IRAs are a great choice for small businesses seeking to provide a more traditional retirement plan without the red tape associated with larger plans.
- Profit-Sharing Plans — Profit-sharing plans are versatile retirement solutions that enable employers to make discretionary contributions to their employees' retirement funds. Contributions are typically made from company stock, giving employees an incentive to contribute to the company's success. These plans are adaptable in many ways, offering flexibility in how contributions are calculated and distributed among employees.
- Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) — ESOPs offer employees with company stock, offering them an ownership interest in the business. ESOPs are not only a retirement benefit but also align financial goals of employees with those of the company's performance, which can boost productivity and job satisfaction. ESOPs can also be part of a company's succession planning as ownership shares can be passed to top employees who will eventually lead of the business.
How Can Correct Capital Help My Business's Retirement Plan?
Our Boston, MA retirement plan consultants manage over 30 plans in companies of all sizes, and represent over $230 million in total plan assets across the U.S. Our expertise and experience allows us to offer a range of services that include both the initial set up and ongoing support:
- Plan selection — We'll help with evaluating and selecting the most fitting retirement plan for your business, considering factors such as number of employees, financial goals, employee demographics, and tax advantages. The goal is to choose a plan that provides the best benefits to your employees while also helping out your bottom line.
- Establishing the plan — Several steps are required to formally put the retirement plan in place. These include creating a formal written agreement, arranging a trust for trust assets, notifying eligible employees about the terms of the plan, and creating a record-keeping system. Our Boston, MA retirement plan consultants can manage and/or assist with each of these steps.
- Plan changes — Maybe you dislike your current plan, or your business has evolved and you need a retirement plan consultant that can help your retirement plan evolve with you. Consultants can assist you in modifying your plan to adapt to business growth, changes in workforce, or shifts in financial goals. This includes adding new features, modifying contribution limits, or transitioning to a different type of plan to suit your needs.
- Investment advice — As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we possess a diverse range of analytical tools, resources, and experience to aid in the selection of investment options that should be made available within the plan. This includes assessing the performance of different investment funds, assessing their risk levels, and guaranteeing a diverse range of options to suit the varying investment preferences and retirement goals of your employees.
- Plan documentation — Retirement plan consultants help in drafting and maintaining all necessary plan documentation, ensuring compliance with IRS and Department of Labor regulations. This includes adoption agreements for the plan, plan summaries, and annual notices to participants.
- Plan participant education — Informing participants is vital to ensuring that your employees grasp the benefits of participating in the retirement plan and how to make educated investment choices. Correct Capital's retirement plan consultants offer quarterly webinars to plan participants and offer one-on-one coaching for topics such as retirement planning, investment risk, and how to increase their retirement savings.
- Help with regulations and audits — The IRS, SEC, ERISA, and other laws and institutions establish rigid guidelines for how companies need to stay legally compliant with their retirement plans. Most 401(k) plans are also subject to annual audits. Retirement plan consultants can help ensure your Boston, MA business stays compliant. Moreover, hiring Correct Capital as your retirement plan consultant helps remove much of the fiduciary duty related to the plan off your shoulders.
Other services we offer in Boston, MA include:
Boston, MA Retirement Plan Consultants | Correct Capital
As you contemplate the future prospects of your company and the welfare of your employees, offering a retirement plan should be front and center. With our comprehensive suite of offerings and dedication to working solely in your best interest, we'll help you lead your Boston, MA business and employees from where you are to where you want to go. To begin developing a plan that matches with your unique business and goals, reach out to a retirement plan consultant in Boston, MA today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online.
