OregonSaves was the nation's first state mandate, launched in 2017. All Oregon employers with 1+ employees must participate or offer a private plan. Full enforcement is active.
Get Your Free Oregon Compliance Audit →OregonSaves is Oregon's state-mandated retirement savings program. OregonSaves was the nation's first state mandate, launched in 2017. All Oregon employers with 1+ employees must participate or offer a private plan. Full enforcement is active.
Employers who already offer a qualifying private retirement plan — such as a 401(k), SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA — are exempt from OregonSaves requirements.
Learn more at the official state portal: https://www.oregonsaves.com
Option 1 — Enroll in OregonSaves: Register through the state portal and facilitate payroll deductions. This fulfills the mandate but doesn't maximize tax savings.
Option 2 — Set up a private plan (recommended): A qualifying 401(k), SEP IRA, or SIMPLE IRA exempts you from the mandate AND qualifies you for up to $15,000 in SECURE 2.0 Act tax credits over 3 years.
Key difference: A private plan belongs to your company. CalSavers/state plans do not. Private plans also attract and retain better employees.
The SECURE 2.0 Act (2023) gives small business owners massive tax credits for starting a retirement plan:
✅ Up to $5,000/year for 3 years for plan startup costs
✅ $1,000 per employee/year for employer contributions (up to 50 employees)
For many Oregon small businesses, this makes a private 401(k) free or nearly free — while exempting you from OregonSaves requirements entirely.
Yes. All Oregon employers with at least one W-2 employee must either enroll in OregonSaves or certify that they offer a qualifying retirement plan.
Oregon fines non-compliant employers $100 per eligible employee per year.
By offering a qualifying private plan (401k, SEP, SIMPLE IRA). File an exemption certificate with OregonSaves. SECURE 2.0 credits can make setup essentially free.
Find out exactly what OregonSaves means for your business — and whether a private plan saves you more money than enrolling in the state program.
Book Your Free 15-Minute Audit →