Retirement plan consultants in Oakland, CA. Creating a retirement plan such as 401(k) is a smart move for Oakland, CA businesses and business owners looking for a way to stand out. These plans are a crucial element in retaining and attracting top talent, providing employees with a feeling of stability, and fostering a productive workforce. But, for businesses who haven't established a retirement plan before, or for companies who'd like to make changes to their current plan, the variety of plans available, regulatory compliance, and tax considerations can be challenging.
Correct Capital Wealth Management is an independent Oakland, CA financial consultancy firm that specializes in helping companies establish and manage customized retirement plans, built around the needs of both your business and workers. We love exploring the unique story behind every company we work with and getting to know what makes them tick. As fiduciary advisors, we have a legal and ethical obligation to act only in your best interest. If you're in search of a retirement plan consultant in Oakland, CA 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 one of our financial advisors today.
Benefits of Starting a Retirement Plan for Your Oakland, CA Business
To understand what a 401(k) or other retirement plan could do for your Oakland, CA business, it's essential to look at what a retirement plan means for your employees:
- Two-thirds of U.S. retirees say there's a retirement crisis in the country; 2 in 5 worry they will live longer than their savings last (Source)
- 45% of retirees say their income wasn't sufficient 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 primary source of income in retirement will be their 401(k) (Source)
- Three-fifths of employees cited their employers' retirement plan as a reason they remain; nearly half said it's an important reason to join a company; about four in ten ranked it in their three most desired most desired benefits (Source)
- Nearly four out of five employees with access to a plan participate (Source)
- 78% of younger workers that are 401(k) plan participants are interested in customized investment advice for their plan (Source)
- 77% of plan participants are "extremely confident" in their ability to make the right decisions with their money with the help of a financial advisor (Source)
Retirement savings is a huge concern for most Americans, and Oakland, CA businesses that offer retirement plans afford themselves a leg up when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. Beyond that, there are a multitude 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
- A range of plan choices and the flexibility to adapt a plan to your business
- Tax credits , among other advantages from the SECURE ACT 2.0, can lower start up 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
- Even small, regular contributions can accumulate into significant retirement savings
- Assets can be rolled over by participants if they change employers
- Improved financial security in retirement
Retirement Plan Options Available for Oakland, CA Businesses
If you're considering establishing a retirement plan for your Oakland, CA 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 diverse investments across stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs, and allow employees to save and invest a part of their earnings before taxes are deducted. Employers can choose to match contributions. Safe Harbor 401(k) plans are essentially the same, but employer contributions are required to be fully vested immediately. In exchange, safe harbor 401(k)s are not subject to annual nondiscrimination tests.
- 403(b) Plans — Much like 401(k)s, 403(b)s are tailored for employees of non-profit entities.
- 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 mostly employer-funded, and the company assumes the investment risk.
- Cash Balance Plans — Cash balance plans are one form of defined benefit plan that tracks each participant's balance in a hypothetical account, which increases annually through employer contributions and an interest credit rate. This plan offers consistent returns like a traditional pension but with personalized accounts similar to a 401(k). It's an appealing option for businesses seeking a middle ground between the certainty of pensions and the flexibility of contribution plans.
- Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRAs — SEP plans offer an uncomplicated way for small businesses to offer retirement plans. Employers make contributions directly to an IRA established for each employee. SEPs are easy to administer, with minimal red tape, and contributions are deductible for the business. They're particularly well-suited for businesses with fluctuating income, as the contribution amounts can be adjusted annually.
- Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRA — SIMPLE IRAs are tailored to small businesses with 100 or fewer employees. These plans are easier to set up and maintain than 401(k)s but allow employees to contribute a percentage of their paycheck to the plan, which employers are required to match up to a certain percentage. SIMPLE IRAs are an excellent option 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 flexible retirement solutions that enable employers to make optional contributions to their employees' retirement funds. Contributions are usually 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 give employees with company stock, providing an ownership interest in the business. ESOPs are not only a retirement benefit but also synchronize employees' interests with the company's performance, potentially boosting 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 Oakland, CA retirement plan consultants manage over 30 plans in both small and large companies, and oversee over $230 million in total plan assets across the United States. Our experience and expertise allows us to offer a range of services that include both the initial set up and ongoing support:
- Plan selection — We'll aid in evaluating different plan options and selecting the most appropriate retirement plan for your specific company, taking into account factors such as company size, financial goals, employee demographics, and tax advantages. The goal is to select a plan that provides the best benefits to your employees while also helping out your bottom line.
- Establishing the plan — Multiple steps are required to formally put the retirement plan in place. These include adopting a written plan, arranging a trust for trust assets, notifying eligible employees about the terms of the plan, and creating a record-keeping system. Our Oakland, CA retirement plan consultants can handle and/or assist with all of these requirements.
- Plan changes — Possibly you're unsatisfied 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, adjusting contribution limits, or transitioning to a different type of plan to suit your needs.
- Investment advice — As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we have access to a diverse array 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 ensuring a diverse range of options to meet the varying investment preferences and retirement goals of your employees.
- Plan documentation — Retirement plan consultants assist in drafting and maintaining all necessary plan documentation, ensuring compliance with IRS and Department of Labor regulations. This includes plan adoption agreements, summary plan descriptions, and annual notices to participants.
- Ongoing participant education — Informing participants is key to ensuring that your employees understand the benefits of participating in the retirement plan and how to make informed investment choices. Correct Capital's retirement plan consultants carry out quarterly webinars to plan participants and offer personalized 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 frameworks for how companies establish and maintain their retirement plans. Most retirement plans are also subject to annual audits. Retirement plan consultants can assist in ensuring your Oakland, CA business stays compliant. Additionally, hiring Correct Capital as your retirement plan consultant helps remove much of the fiduciary duty related to the plan from your responsibilities.
Other services we offer in Oakland, CA include:
Oakland, CA Retirement Plan Consultants | Correct Capital
As you think about the future of your business and the well-being of your workforce, implementing a retirement plan should be a top priority. With our comprehensive suite of services and dedication to acting exclusively in your best interest, we'll help you guide your Oakland, CA company and employees from where you are to where you want to go. To begin creating a plan that aligns with your individual business and goals, speak to a retirement plan consultant in Oakland, CA today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online.
