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UPDATED FOR 2026 · STATUTE-VERIFIED

Attention Duluth Employers: Minnesota Mandate Compliance

Hotels, motels, restaurants, and seasonal businesses in Duluth must comply with MN Secure Choice or face penalties the state has not yet set. Don't wait — the deadline is Enforcing now.

Minnesota Secure ChoiceCOMING SOON
State program
5+ employees
Employee threshold
Penalty not yet set
Non-compliance penalty
// 60-second check

What does Minnesota actually require?

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

Informational only — not legal or tax advice.

Annual exposure · Minnesota

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 the Minnesota retirement mandate apply to seasonal hotels and motels in Duluth?

Yes. MN Secure Choice applies to all employers in Minnesota with 5+ employees. Hotels, motels, B&Bs, and restaurants in Duluth are subject to the same rules as any other employer — seasonal operation does not exempt you.

We only hire seasonal staff in summer — are we exempt from MN Secure Choice?

Not automatically. If you employ 5+ employees at any point during the year, you are subject to MN Secure Choice. Seasonal employers can use a SIMPLE IRA or 401(k) to qualify for the exemption — and can exclude employees who work fewer than 1,000 hours/year from the plan.

What is the cheapest way for a small Duluth hotel or motel to comply with Minnesota's retirement mandate?

A SIMPLE IRA is typically the most cost-effective solution. Setup costs range from $500–$1,500 with a flat annual admin fee. This exempts you from MN Secure Choice and qualifies you for SECURE 2.0 federal tax credits worth up to $5,000/year for 3 years. Kandelaki Solutions handles the entire setup.

Can a Duluth restaurant or motel owner qualify for SECURE 2.0 federal tax credits?

Yes. SECURE 2.0 Act tax credits are available to small businesses with fewer than 100 employees that start a new qualifying retirement plan (the full startup credit applies at 50 or fewer employees; it phases down from 51 to 100). Credits of up to $5,000/year for 3 years (plus up to $1,000 per employee in employer-contribution credits, which phase down over five years) are available regardless of whether your business is seasonal.

When is the MN Secure Choice compliance deadline for Duluth, Minnesota businesses?

The current compliance deadline is: Enforcing now. Don't wait — penalty amounts for non-compliance have not yet been set by the state. Contact Kandelaki Solutions today for a free compliance audit.

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

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