a happy businesswoman holds her tablet after learning about auto enrollment and escalation from Gate City Investment Services

Auto Enrollment & Escalation: 2 Key Takeaways for Your Business.

You may have heard about automatic enrollment and escalation. Let’s explain what they mean for your business!

The SECURE 2.0 Act makes it easier for your employees to save for retirement. With that, there are a couple of things you should know.

  1. Plans established after Dec. 29, 2022

    If you began offering your plan after this date, you’re required by law to set up automatic enrollment and escalation by January 1, 2025. This involves:

    • Rates: Employees can opt out of your plan at any time, but they must be initially enrolled at a rate of at least 3%. (They can change the rate later if they wish.)
    • Increases: The rate for employees who stay enrolled must be set to increase by 1% annually until it hits your business’s cap percentage (between 10% and 15%).

    Exceptions for plans that started after December 29, 2022, include businesses with fewer than 10 employees, those open for less than three years and employers with SIMPLE 401(k) plans. Government and church plans are also exempt.

Pro Tip:

Be sure to give employees proper notice of any plan changes. Partner with a knowledgeable retirement plan consultant who can help with communication and education!

  1. Plans established before Dec. 29, 2022

    If your plan started before this date, auto enrollment and escalation aren’t required. But they could still help:

    • Save: Employees are more likely to save for retirement when they’re automatically enrolled at a set percentage.
    • Comply: Automatic enrollment could help you pass certain compliance tests, or even release you from them.

     

    Even if they’re not required, automatic enrollment and escalation can be easy to set up and maintain.

Auto Enroll and Excel.

Automatic enrollment and escalation are designed to make retirement planning easier for you and your employees. By knowing these key points, you’ll be on track to abiding by the law and helping your team save for the future.

Let’s navigate what options make the most sense for your business. Contact our retirement plan consultant today!

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