Electricians, plumbers, HVAC — shops cross the threshold as they grow, and nobody in the truck is tracking the deadline.
Electrician, plumbing, and HVAC shops cross the threshold as they grow — usually without noticing.
Journeymen, apprentices, and office staff on W-2 payroll all count toward your state's threshold.
A real retirement benefit keeps skilled workers from jumping to the competitor down the road.
There's no back office watching registration deadlines — that's exactly the part we take over.
Pick your state and headcount for your real exposure — data verified against each state's own statute.
Informational only — not legal or tax advice.
Get your full breakdown + a private-plan savings estimate:
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 forIf they're on your W-2 payroll, generally yes. State definitions vary on age and hours minimums, and we verify yours before anything is filed.
Usually thresholds apply per legal employer (EIN), but related-entity rules can combine them in some programs. Worth a 15-minute review before assuming you're under the line.
The state plan is the low-effort floor; a private 401(k) adds employer match, higher limits, and SECURE 2.0 credits that can offset most startup costs. We model both with your real numbers.
Book a free 15-minute compliance audit. We'll show your exact requirement, your real exposure, and whether your own plan saves you money.
Grab the free 2026 cheat-sheet: every state's threshold, deadline, and penalty on one page.