Home › Industries › Trades & Contractors
State Retirement Mandate Compliance

Attention Trades Business Owners: Your State May Be Fining You for Missing a Retirement Plan

HVAC companies, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and roofers are subject to state retirement mandates. Avoid penalties and unlock up to $15,000 in federal tax credits.

Book Free Compliance Audit →

Why It Matters

The Challenges Trades & Contractors Owners Face

Most state mandates impose fines of $250–$500 per employee per year for non-compliance. The good news: setting up a qualifying retirement plan exempts you immediately — and federal SECURE 2.0 tax credits can offset up to $15,000 of your startup costs.

Flat-Fee Pricing

No AUM Minimums. One Flat Fee.

Unlike commission-based advisors, we charge a single flat fee — no percentage of assets, no hidden costs. SECURE 2.0 credits can cover most or all of your first three years.

Business Size Setup Fee Annual Flat SECURE 2.0 Credits
5–15 employees $1,500 $600/yr up to $15,000
16–30 employees $2,500 $900/yr up to $15,000
31–75 employees $3,500 $1,500/yr up to $15,000

*SECURE 2.0 Act credits available to employers with 100 or fewer employees. Credits apply to startup costs for the first 3 years. Consult a tax advisor for specifics.

How It Works

Get Compliant in 3 Simple Steps

1

Free Compliance Audit

We review your state's mandate requirements, your employee count, and your current retirement setup — at no cost.

2

Custom Plan Design

We design a flat-fee retirement plan optimized for your business size, budget, and owner contribution goals.

3

File State Exemption

We handle the mandate exemption filing and ensure you maximize your SECURE 2.0 federal tax credits — often worth $5,000–$15,000.

Start With a Free Audit →

Frequently Asked Questions

Trades & Contractors Retirement Plan FAQs

Does the state retirement mandate apply to HVAC and plumbing companies?
Yes. State retirement mandates apply to most private employers with 5 or more employees, including HVAC companies, plumbing contractors, electricians, landscapers, and roofers. If your state has an active mandate (California, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Colorado, and others), you must either enroll in the state program or sponsor a qualifying private retirement plan.
My crew varies seasonally — how does the mandate handle fluctuating employee counts?
Most states look at your highest employee count during the calendar year to determine compliance obligations. So if you had 10 employees in summer but only 3 in winter, you likely still need to comply. The good news: a properly structured plan can allow you to adjust contributions based on your cash flow season.
As a contractor making $300k/year, what's the maximum I can put away tax-free?
With a Solo 401(k) or SEP-IRA, you can shelter $66,000–$73,500/year (2024 limits) in tax-deferred contributions depending on your business structure. A SIMPLE IRA allows up to $16,000 employee deferrals plus employer match. We'll identify the right plan for your income level during your free audit.
Can I set up a plan in winter when work is slow and still get the exemption?
Yes — and that's often the ideal time. You can establish a plan before December 31 and immediately qualify for the state mandate exemption, even mid-year. SECURE 2.0 startup credits apply from plan inception and can cover up to $5,000/year for 3 years.
What SECURE 2.0 credits are available for a 10-person HVAC company?
A 10-employee HVAC company establishing a new 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA can qualify for: (1) Startup cost credit up to $5,000/year for 3 years ($15,000 total), (2) Auto-enrollment credit of $500/year for 3 years if you use automatic enrollment. That's up to $15,500 in federal tax credits — often more than the total plan cost for several years.

Ready to Get Compliant?

Book a free 20-minute compliance audit. We'll tell you exactly what your state requires, what it costs, and how federal tax credits can cover most of it.

Book Free Compliance Audit →

Explore More

Helpful Resources

States with Active Mandates

New Jersey Colorado Virginia View All States →

Local Coverage

Toms River, NJ Breckenridge, CO Virginia Beach, VA

Other Resources

Home All Industries Already Have a Plan? Level-Funded Health