Home › States › Virginia
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 2026 · STATUTE-VERIFIED

Virginia Retirement Mandate: RetirePath VA

RetirePath Virginia has been live since July 2023. It applies to Virginia employers with 5+ employees that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Penalty: Up to $200 / employee / yr. Upcoming: 10–24 employees (newly eligible 2026) by 2026-09-30; 5–9 employees and new 25+ employers by 2026-10-30.

RetirePath VirginiaACTIVE
State program
5+ employees
Employee threshold
Up to $200 / employee / yr
Non-compliance penalty
// 60-second check

What does Virginia actually require?

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

Informational only, not legal or tax advice.

Annual exposure · Virginia
—

Get your full breakdown + a private-plan savings estimate:

// verified to the statute

RetirePath Virginia at a glance.

Who is covered

RetirePath Virginia covers Virginia employers with 5+ employees that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Counting rule: Five or more eligible employees (18+, employed, receiving wages — part-time included) for the period ending December 31 of the preceding calendar year. The former two-year operating requirement was struck by 2026 Acts ch. 84 (effective 2026-07-01); the program site still lists it — confirm with RetirePath before relying on it.

Penalty and enforcement

Up to $200 per eligible employee per year. The penalty is in force; no public record of assessments yet.

Deadlines

Upcoming: 10–24 employees (newly eligible 2026) by 2026-09-30; 5–9 employees and new 25+ employers by 2026-10-30. Already passed: Employers eligible before 2026 (25+) (2025-12-31) — unregistered employers should register or certify an exemption now. Newly eligible employers: rolling.

Source

Va. Code §2.2-2744, §2.2-2747(3)(i), §2.2-2751 (2026 Acts cc. 84, 85) · Official program: www.retirepathva.com · 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 RetirePath Virginia?

RetirePath Virginia is Virginia's state-facilitated retirement savings program. It has been live since July 2023. Program: https://www.retirepathva.com.

Who must comply with RetirePath Virginia?

RetirePath Virginia covers Virginia employers with 5+ employees that do not offer a qualifying retirement plan. Counting rule: Five or more eligible employees (18+, employed, receiving wages — part-time included) for the period ending December 31 of the preceding calendar year. The former two-year operating requirement was struck by 2026 Acts ch. 84 (effective 2026-07-01); the program site still lists it — confirm with RetirePath before relying on it.

What is the RetirePath Virginia penalty?

Up to $200 per eligible employee per year. The penalty is in force; no public record of assessments yet.

When are the RetirePath Virginia deadlines?

Upcoming: 10–24 employees (newly eligible 2026) by 2026-09-30; 5–9 employees and new 25+ employers by 2026-10-30. Already passed: Employers eligible before 2026 (25+) (2025-12-31) — unregistered employers should register or certify an exemption now. Newly eligible employers: rolling.

How do Virginia employers become exempt?

Exempt with a qualified employer-sponsored plan (401(a)/401(k), 403(a)/403(b), SEP (408(k)), SIMPLE (408(p))); a payroll-deduction auto-IRA no longer exempts; 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.

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 · 848-400-4899
Book my free audit