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UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026 · STATUTE-VERIFIED

Rhode Island Retirement Mandate: RISavers

RISavers has been live since October 2025. It applies to Rhode Island employers with 5+ employees that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Penalty: Up to $250 / employee / yr. Upcoming: 100+ employees by 2026-10-15; 50–99 employees by 2027-10-15; 5–49 employees by 2028-10-15..

RISaversACTIVE
State program
5+ employees
Employee threshold
Up to $250 / employee / yr
Non-compliance penalty
// 60-second check

What does Rhode Island actually require?

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

Informational only, not legal or tax advice.

Annual exposure · Rhode Island
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// verified to the statute

RISavers at a glance.

Who is covered

RISavers covers Rhode Island employers with 5+ employees that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Counting rule: Average number of eligible employees (18+, employed 120+ days) in the previous calendar year, as reported on Form TX-17. No years-in-business requirement.

Penalty and enforcement

Up to $250 per eligible employee per year. The program has launched; enforcement has not begun.

Deadlines

Upcoming: 100+ employees by 2026-10-15; 50–99 employees by 2027-10-15; 5–49 employees by 2028-10-15.

Source

R.I. Gen. Laws §§35-23-2, 35-23-9, 35-23-15; 120-RICR-00-00-6 · Official program: risavers.gov · Verified 2026-09-17.

// 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.

What is RISavers?

RISavers is Rhode Island's state-facilitated retirement savings program. It has been live since October 2025. Program: https://risavers.gov.

Who must comply with RISavers?

RISavers covers Rhode Island employers with 5+ employees that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Counting rule: Average number of eligible employees (18+, employed 120+ days) in the previous calendar year, as reported on Form TX-17. No years-in-business requirement.

What is the RISavers penalty?

Up to $250 per eligible employee per year. The program has launched; enforcement has not begun.

When are the RISavers deadlines?

Upcoming: 100+ employees by 2026-10-15; 50–99 employees by 2027-10-15; 5–49 employees by 2028-10-15.

How do Rhode Island employers become exempt?

Exempt with a DB plan, 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), SEP, SIMPLE or auto-enrollment payroll IRA; certify with the Access Code. A private 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA satisfies the mandate and may qualify for SECURE 2.0 startup credits.

Find out where you stand — before the state does.

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