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UPDATED FOR 2026 · 17 STATES · STATUTE-VERIFIED

Retirement mandates for professional-services firms, handled.

Accounting, consulting, real estate, insurance, agencies — partner-led firms cross the threshold as they add staff. We catch the deadline.

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Verified to state statutes 17 states covered No obligation

Consultants collaborating at a table in a bright professional-services office

Compliant & covered17 states · 2026

Example exposure · VA · 21 staff

$4,200/yrCovered*

Do nothing → penalty · your plan → covered*

// why professional-services firms get caught out

Where the mandate bites businesses like yours.

Growth crosses the line

Partner-led firms cross the threshold quietly as they add associates and support staff.

Salaried staff all count

Salaried associates, analysts, and admin staff are W-2 employees that count toward the mandate.

A 401(k) is a recruiting edge

A real 401(k) with a match is table stakes when you compete for professional talent.

No dedicated HR

Most firms have no dedicated HR tracking registration deadlines — that becomes our job.

// 60-second check

What does your state actually require?

Pick your state and headcount for your real exposure — data verified against each state's own statute.

Your state

Number of employees

Informational only, not legal or tax advice.

Annual exposure · Virginia

$4,200

RetirePath Virginia · applies at 5+ employees

Get your full breakdown + a private-plan savings estimate:

// state plan vs your own

You can comply two ways. Only one builds anything.

The state auto-IRA

Compliance, nothing else

No employer match allowed
Low Roth-IRA contribution limits
One-size-fits-all investments
No tax credits for your business

RECOMMENDED

Your own 401(k)

Compliant — and working for you

Match if and when you want
Far higher contribution limits
SECURE 2.0 credits offset setup
A real recruiting & retention perk

// the part nobody tells you

Credits can offset much of the startup cost for eligible employers.

Under SECURE 2.0, small employers starting a plan can claim credits toward setup and contributions. The amount depends on your size and phases out over the first years — we model your real number, not a headline.

See what you'd qualify for

$5,000/yr

Startup credit toward administration costs, up to three years.

$1,000/emp

Toward employer contributions for smaller employers, phasing down as you grow.

Low net cost

Credits can offset much of the startup cost for eligible employers. We model your real net.

// professional-services firms faq

Asked by owners like you.

Do partners and owners count toward the employee threshold?

Owner/partner treatment varies by state and entity type — W-2 employees generally count, while partners drawing K-1 income often don't. We confirm your firm's exact headcount under your state's rule.

We already have a SEP for the partners. Does that exempt the firm?

Only if it qualifies under your state's exemption rules and covers eligible employees — a partners-only arrangement may not. Most states also require you to formally certify the exemption.

What does a firm 401(k) cost compared to the state plan?

Often less than you'd expect: SECURE 2.0 credits can offset much of the startup cost for eligible employers. We model your real number before you commit to anything.

Find out where your professional-services firms business stands.

Book a free 15-minute compliance audit. We'll show your exact requirement, your real exposure, and whether your own plan saves you money.

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