CalSavers is enforcing now. It applies to California employers with 1+ employees (prior-year average) that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Penalty: Up to $500 / employee / yr (escalating). Already passed: 100+ employees (2020-09-30); 50+ employees (2021-06-30); 5+ employees (2022-06-30); 1–4 employees (2025-12-31) — unregistered employers should register or certify an exemption now.
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CalSavers covers California employers with 1+ employees (prior-year average) that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Counting rule: Average number of California employees on the four prior-year DE 9C filings, at least one of whom is 18 or older. No years-in-business requirement; newly eligible employers register by December 31 of the year they are notified.
Escalating: $250 per employee (90+ days after notice); $500 per employee (180+ days after notice). Penalties are being assessed now.
Already passed: 100+ employees (2020-09-30); 50+ employees (2021-06-30); 5+ employees (2022-06-30); 1–4 employees (2025-12-31) — unregistered employers should register or certify an exemption now. Newly eligible employers: December 31 of the year notified.
Cal. Gov. Code §§100000, 100032, 100033(b)(2); Rev. & Tax. Code §19287; 10 CCR §§10000–10012 · Official program: www.calsavers.com · Verified 2026-09-17.
CalSavers is California's state-facilitated retirement savings program. It is enforcing now. Program: https://www.calsavers.com.
CalSavers covers California employers with 1+ employees (prior-year average) that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Counting rule: Average number of California employees on the four prior-year DE 9C filings, at least one of whom is 18 or older. No years-in-business requirement; newly eligible employers register by December 31 of the year they are notified.
Escalating: $250 per employee (90+ days after notice); $500 per employee (180+ days after notice). Penalties are being assessed now.
Already passed: 100+ employees (2020-09-30); 50+ employees (2021-06-30); 5+ employees (2022-06-30); 1–4 employees (2025-12-31) — unregistered employers should register or certify an exemption now. Newly eligible employers: December 31 of the year notified.
Exempt with a DB plan, 401(k), SEP, SIMPLE or auto-enrollment payroll IRA — but the exemption form must be filed by December 31. A private 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA satisfies the mandate and may qualify for SECURE 2.0 startup credits.
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