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UPDATED FOR 2026 · 17 STATES · STATUTE-VERIFIED

Retirement mandates for retail & shops, handled.

Part-time-heavy rosters and holiday hiring push shops over the line — we handle enrollment so you can handle customers.

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Verified to state statutes 17 states covered No obligation

Shop owner arranging a display in her bright independent retail store

Compliant & covered17 states · 2026

Example exposure · VA · 21 staff

$4,200/yrCovered*

Do nothing → penalty · your plan → covered*

// why retail & shops get caught out

Where the mandate bites businesses like yours.

Part-time staff still count

A part-time-heavy roster still counts toward the threshold in most state programs.

Holiday spikes cross the line

Seasonal and holiday hiring spikes can push your count over the state line — sometimes just for a quarter.

Low HR bandwidth

No HR team? We handle enrollment, notices, and the ongoing paperwork the mandate requires.

Compete for good staff

A real retirement plan helps you compete with the big-box stores for reliable people.

// 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.

// retail & shops faq

Asked by owners like you.

Do my holiday seasonal hires count toward the threshold?

Often yes while they're on W-2 payroll — and some states measure headcount in ways that catch seasonal peaks. We check your state's measurement window against your hiring calendar.

I have two locations under one LLC. One store is tiny — does it matter?

Thresholds apply at the legal-employer level, so both stores' payrolls combine. The 60-second check above uses your total W-2 headcount.

What do I actually have to do if I'm covered?

Either register with your state program and facilitate payroll deductions, or sponsor a qualifying private plan and certify exempt. We map the steps and deadlines for your state either way.

Find out where your retail & shops 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.

100% freeNo obligation15 minutes

Get your free audit

Takes 30 seconds. We'll reach out to schedule.

Or call 848-400-4899