Retirement plan consultants in Oakland, CA. Setting up a retirement plan like a 401(k) is a strategic move for Oakland, CA companies and business owners looking for a competitive advantage. Retirement plans are a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent, providing employees with a feeling of stability, and fostering a committed workforce. But, for businesses who haven't set up a retirement plan before, or for companies who'd like to make changes to their current plan, the wealth of plan options, regulatory compliance, and tax considerations can be overwhelming.
Correct Capital Wealth Management is an independent Oakland, CA financial consultancy firm that specializes in helping companies establish and manage customized retirement plans, tailored to the needs of both your business and workers. We enjoy exploring the unique story behind each business 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, give us a call at 877-930-4015, contact us online, or schedule an appointment with one of our financial advisors today.
Why Establish a Retirement Plan for Your Oakland, CA Business?
To understand what a 401(k) or other retirement plan could mean for your Oakland, CA company, it's essential to consider how much it means to your employees:
- 2 in 3 U.S. retirees say there's a retirement crisis in the country; 2 in 5 think they might outlive their retirement savings (Source)
- Almost half 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, 62% of respondents said their primary source of income in retirement will be their 401(k) (Source)
- Six out of ten of employees cited their employers' retirement plan as a reason they remain; nearly half said it's an essential reason to join a company; about four in ten ranked it in their top three most desired benefits (Source)
- Nearly four out of five employees with access to a plan choose to participate (Source)
- 78% of Gen Z and Millennial 401(k) plan participants are keen on personalized investment advice for their plan (Source)
- 77% of plan participants are "extremely confident" in their ability to make the right financial decisions with the help of a financial advisor (Source)
Retirement savings is a huge concern for most Americans, and Oakland, CA businesses that sponsor retirement plans give themselves a competitive advantage when it comes to securing and keeping valuable employees. Additionally, there are a host of benefits for both employers and employees when it comes to offering retirement plans:
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 and other benefits from the SECURE ACT 2.0, help reduce initial costs
- Higher retention rates lower the annual cost of training new employees
Employee Benefits
- Employee contributions can reduce their taxable income
- No taxation on contributions and earnings until withdrawal
- Easy-to-make contributions through payroll deductions
- Even small, regular contributions can accumulate into significant retirement savings
- Participant assets can be rolled over if they change employers
- Enhanced financial wellbeing in retirement
Retirement Plan Options Available for Oakland, CA Businesses
If you're thinking about adopting a 401(k) or other plan for your Oakland, CA business, there are a range of plan options our retirement plan consultants can speak to you about:
- 401(k) Plans — The bedrock 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 income before taxes are deducted. Employers can choose to match contributions. Safe Harbor 401(k) plans are largely 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 — Comparable to 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 earnings, defined benefit plans offer a predetermined monthly withdrawal in retirement. These plans are largely 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 increases 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 appealing option for businesses looking for a middle ground between the certainty of pensions and the flexibility of contribution plans.
- Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRAs — SEP plans offer a straightforward way for small businesses to offer retirement plans. Employers make contributions directly to an IRA set up for each employee. SEPs are easy to administer, with no significant 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 designed for 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 part of their earnings to the plan, which employers must match up to a certain percentage. SIMPLE IRAs are an excellent option for small businesses looking to offer a more traditional retirement plan without the red tape associated with larger plans.
- Profit-Sharing Plans — Profit-sharing plans are flexible retirement solutions that allow employers to make discretionary contributions to their employees' retirement funds. Contributions are usually made from company stock, giving employees a direct stake in 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 synchronize employees' interests with the company's performance, which can boost productivity and job satisfaction. ESOPs can also align with a company's succession planning as ownership shares can be passed to top employees who will eventually lead of the business.
What Can Correct Capital's Oakland, CA Retirement Plan Consultants Do for My Business?
Our Oakland, CA retirement plan consultants manage over 30 plans in both small and large companies, and represent over $230 million in total plan assets across the United States. Our experience and expertise enables us to offer a range of services that include both the initial set up and ongoing support:
- Plan selection — We'll aid in evaluating and selecting the most fitting retirement plan for your unique company, bearing in mind factors such as company size, financial goals, employee demographics, and tax advantages. The goal is to select a plan that offers 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 creating a formal written agreement, arranging a trust for trust assets, notifying eligible employees about terms and conditions, and establishing a record-keeping system. Our Oakland, CA retirement plan consultants can manage and/or assist with all of these requirements.
- Plan changes — Possibly 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 guide you through modifying your plan to adapt to business growth, changes in workforce, or shifts in financial goals. This includes introducing new options, adjusting contribution limits, or transitioning to a different type of plan to more closely align with your needs.
- Investment advice — As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we have access to a wide 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 analyzing the performance of different investment funds, determining their risk levels, and guaranteeing a diverse range of options to meet the varying investment preferences and retirement goals of your employees.
- Plan documentation — Retirement plan consultants help in drafting and maintaining all essential 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.
- Ongoing participant education — Informing participants is key to ensuring that your employees grasp the benefits of participating in the retirement plan and how to make wise investment choices. Correct Capital's retirement plan consultants carry out quarterly webinars to plan participants and offer one-on-one coaching for topics such as retirement planning, investment risk, and how to enhance 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 retirement plans are also subject to annual audits. Retirement plan consultants can make sure your Oakland, CA business stays compliant. Furthermore, hiring Correct Capital as your retirement plan consultant enables us to assume much of the fiduciary duty related to the plan off your shoulders.
Other services we offer in Oakland, CA include:
Oakland, CA Retirement Plan Consultants | Correct Capital
As you contemplate the future prospects of your business and the welfare of your workforce, offering a retirement plan should be at the forefront. With our comprehensive suite of offerings and dedication to acting exclusively in your optimal interest, we'll help you lead your Oakland, CA company and employees from where you are to where you want to go. To initiate developing a plan that fits with your distinct business and goals, talk to a retirement plan consultant in Oakland, CA today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online.
