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UPDATED FOR 2026 · STATUTE-VERIFIED

Maryland Retirement Mandate: MarylandSaves

MarylandSaves applies to ALL Maryland employers with even one W-2 employee. MarylandSaves has no financial penalty for non-registration, but employers must still register or offer a qualifying private plan. Baltimore-area employers should act now.

MarylandSavesENFORCING
State program
1+ employees
Employee threshold
No monetary penalty — registration required
Non-compliance penalty
// 60-second check

What does Maryland actually require?

Set your headcount for your real exposure — data verified against the statute.

Informational only — not legal or tax advice.

Annual exposure · Maryland

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
// frequently asked

Asked by employers here.

Does MarylandSaves apply to 1-person employers?

Yes. Any Maryland employer with at least one W-2 employee must comply with MarylandSaves or offer a qualifying private plan.

What is the MarylandSaves penalty?

MarylandSaves has no monetary non-compliance penalty; employers must still register or offer a qualifying private plan. Participating employers also get the $300 annual state report filing fee waived.

How do Baltimore businesses avoid MarylandSaves?

Offer a qualifying retirement plan (401k, SEP, SIMPLE). SECURE 2.0 credits can make this free or near-free for small employers.

// local guides

Maryland guides by city.

Find out where you stand — before the state does.

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

Free 15-minute audit

No obligation · (732) 444-8686
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