25+ employees in Manalapan, Marlboro, Freehold, Howell, Old Bridge or anywhere in Monmouth, Middlesex or Ocean County? You must comply with RetireReady NJ or face penalties.
Get Your Free Central NJ Compliance Audit →RetireReady NJ is New Jersey's state-mandated retirement savings program. It requires all NJ employers with 25 or more employees who have been in business 2+ years to either enroll in the state program or certify they already offer a qualifying private retirement plan.
This affects thousands of businesses across Central NJ — from Manalapan and Marlboro to Freehold, Howell, Jackson, Toms River, Edison, Old Bridge, and the entire Monmouth-Middlesex-Ocean County corridor.
Official site: www.retirereadynj.com
Option 1 — Enroll in RetireReady NJ: Register your business and facilitate payroll deductions into state IRA accounts. Fulfills the mandate — but leaves money on the table.
Option 2 — Set up a private plan (recommended): A 401(k), SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA qualifies as an exemption AND earns you up to $15,000 in SECURE 2.0 Act tax credits over 3 years. Most Central NJ employers save more with this route.
A Manalapan business with 30 employees could receive over $45,000 in tax credits over 3 years — more than enough to run a private 401(k) for free.
Monmouth County — Manalapan, Marlboro, Freehold, Holmdel, Colts Neck, Middletown, Red Bank, Long Branch, Asbury Park, Tinton Falls, Aberdeen, Hazlet, Keyport, Matawan: All employers with 25+ employees must comply.
Middlesex County — Edison, Woodbridge, Old Bridge, New Brunswick, East Brunswick, North Brunswick, South Brunswick, Metuchen, Perth Amboy, Piscataway, Sayreville, Monroe Township, Spotswood: High concentration of small businesses — most will be impacted.
Ocean County — Toms River, Brick, Lakewood, Howell, Jackson, Wall, Neptune: Fastest-growing county in NJ. New businesses here need to plan ahead now.
Somerset County — Bridgewater, Somerville, Bound Brook, Somerset, Hillsborough, Flemington: Strong small business corridor along Route 22 — high exposure.
✅ Up to $5,000/year × 3 years in startup cost credits for new plans
✅ $1,000 per employee/year for employer contributions (up to 50 employees)
Example: A Freehold business with 30 employees = up to $45,000 total credits over 3 years. That's a private 401(k) that costs you nothing — while also exempting you from RetireReady NJ.
Yes. RetireReady NJ applies to all New Jersey employers with 25+ employees, including those in Manalapan, Marlboro, Freehold, Howell, Jackson, and all Central NJ communities. If your business operates in Monmouth County, Middlesex County, or Ocean County and has 25+ employees, you must comply or offer a private plan.
RetireReady NJ is rolling out in phases during 2025-2026. Businesses in Manalapan, Marlboro, Freehold, and surrounding Monmouth County towns should register now or set up a qualifying private plan to avoid penalties estimated at $100/employee/year.
For most Central NJ small businesses, setting up a private 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA is better than enrolling in RetireReady NJ. Why? It exempts you from the mandate AND qualifies you for SECURE 2.0 tax credits of up to $5,000/year for 3 years — making the plan essentially free.
RetireReady NJ covers all 21 NJ counties: Monmouth (Manalapan, Marlboro, Freehold, Holmdel, Red Bank), Middlesex (Edison, Woodbridge, Old Bridge, New Brunswick), Ocean (Toms River, Brick, Lakewood, Howell), Somerset (Bridgewater, Somerville), and all others.
Offer a qualifying private retirement plan — a 401(k), SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA — and certify your exemption with the state. Kandelaki Solutions helps Central NJ employers set up the right plan and claim SECURE 2.0 tax credits to offset 100% of startup costs.
Serving Manalapan, Marlboro, Freehold, Howell, Old Bridge, Toms River and all Central NJ. Find out in 15 minutes whether RetireReady NJ applies to you and which option saves the most money.
Book Your Free 15-Minute Audit →