Retirement plan consultants in Seattle, WA. Creating a retirement plan such as 401(k) is a wise move for Seattle, WA companies and business owners looking for a competitive advantage. Retirement plans are a key factor in retaining and attracting top talent, providing employees with a sense of security, and fostering a loyal workforce. But, for businesses who haven't established a retirement plan before, or for companies looking for a plan upgrade, the wealth of plan options, regulatory compliance, and tax considerations can be overwhelming.
Correct Capital Wealth Management is an independent Seattle, WA financial advisory firm that specializes in assisting companies set up and maintain customized retirement plans, built around the needs of both your business and employees. We love 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 Seattle, WA to help create 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.
Why Establish a Retirement Plan for Your Seattle, WA Business?
To understand what a 401(k) or other retirement plan could do for your Seattle, WA business, it's crucial to consider what a retirement plan means for your employees:
- 67% of U.S. retirees say there's a retirement crisis in the country; 40% think they might outlive their retirement savings (Source)
- 45% of retirees say their income wasn't sufficient to save for retirement; over half blame their employer for not providing adequate resources to help them save (Source)
- In a recent study, over half of respondents said their largest 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; 47% said it's an essential reason to join a company; almost half ranked it in their top three most desired benefits (Source)
- 77% of employees with access to a plan participate (Source)
- 78% of Gen Z and Millennial 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 major concern for most Americans, and Seattle, WA businesses that offer retirement plans afford themselves a leg up when it comes to attracting and retaining talent. Moreover, 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
- Variety of plan options and flexibility to adapt a plan to your business
- Tax credits and other benefits 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
- No taxation on contributions and earnings 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 Seattle, WA Businesses
If you're considering establishing a 401(k) or other plan for your Seattle, WA business, there are a range of plan options our retirement plan consultants can discuss with you:
- 401(k) Plans — The bedrock of American retirement plans, 401(k)s enable for diverse investments including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs, and allow employees to save and invest a portion of their earnings before taxes are taken out. Employers have the option to match contributions. Safe Harbor 401(k) plans are essentially the same, but employer contributions must be fully vested when made. 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 tax-exempt organizations.
- Defined Benefit (Pension) Plans — While 401(k)s and other defined contribution plans are based on employees contributing a certain amount or percentage of their income, defined benefit plans promise a specific 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 grows every year through employer contributions and an annual interest rate. This plan offers predictable benefits like a traditional pension but with personalized accounts similar to a defined contribution plan. It's an attractive option for businesses seeking a middle ground between the certainty of pensions and the adaptability of contribution plans.
- Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRAs — SEP plans offer a simple way for small businesses to provide retirement benefits. Employers make contributions directly to an IRA set up for each employee. SEPs are straightforward to manage, with minimal red tape, and contributions are tax-deductible for the business. They're especially well-suited for businesses with variable profits, 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 easier to set up and maintain than 401(k)s but allow employees to contribute a part of their salary 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 hassle of larger plans.
- Profit-Sharing Plans — Profit-sharing plans are versatile retirement solutions that allow 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 distributed and calculated among employees.
- Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) — ESOPs give employees with company stock, providing a stake of ownership in the business. ESOPs are not only a retirement benefit but also align employees' interests with the company's performance, potentially boosting productivity and job satisfaction. ESOPs can also complement a company's succession planning as ownership shares can be passed to high performers who will eventually take the reins of the business.
What Can Correct Capital's Seattle, WA Retirement Plan Consultants Do for My Business?
Our Seattle, WA retirement plan consultants currently 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 enables us to offer a range of services that encompass both the initial set up and ongoing support:
- Plan selection — We'll assist in evaluating different plan options and selecting the most fitting retirement plan for your business, considering factors such as number of employees, financial goals, employee demographics, and tax considerations. The goal is to choose a plan that offers the best benefits to your employees while being cost-effective for your business.
- Establishing the plan — Multiple steps are required to make the retirement plan legal. These include creating a formal written agreement, arranging a trust for trust assets, notifying eligible employees about terms and conditions, and setting up a record-keeping system. Our Seattle, WA retirement plan consultants can handle and/or assist with all of these requirements.
- 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 accommodate 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 diverse array of analytical tools, resources, and experience to aid in the selection of investment options that ought to be made available within the plan. This includes examining the performance of different investment funds, determining their risk levels, and guaranteeing a diverse range of options to meet the different needs of different 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 plan adoption agreements, summary plan descriptions, and annual notices to participants.
- Ongoing participant education — Education is vital to ensuring that your employees comprehend the benefits of participating in the retirement plan and how to make wise 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 maximize their retirement savings.
- Help with regulations and audits — The IRS, SEC, ERISA, and other laws and institutions set rigid frameworks 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 assist in ensuring your Seattle, WA 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 Seattle, WA include:
- Financial Planning for Business Owners
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
- Retirement Income Planning
- Investment Planning
- Retirement Financial Planning
- Independent Financial Advisor
- Roth Conversion
- Investment Management
- 401(k) Audit
- High-Net-Worth Wealth Management
Seattle, WA Retirement Plan Consultants | Correct Capital
As you consider the future prospects of your company and the well-being of your employees, providing a retirement plan should be at the forefront. With our complete range of offerings and commitment to acting exclusively in your optimal interest, we'll help you guide your Seattle, WA business and staff from where you are to where you want to go. To initiate creating a plan that fits with your individual business and goals, talk to a retirement plan consultant in Seattle, WA today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online.