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A 50-state guide to state-mandated retirement plans [Updated for 2024]
All but three states have either active mandates in place or are working towards implementing mandated retirement programs. Check your state to see how your business may be impacted.
A 50-state guide to state-mandated retirement plans [Updated for 2024] true All but three states have either active mandates in place or are working towards implementing mandated retirement programs. Check your state to see how your business may be impacted. Table of contents: All active state mandate programs In-progress state mandate programs States with legislation being considered Unknown state mandate programs The retirement landscape is changing rapidly, with many Americans living longer but saving less for their golden years. One of the most significant developments in this space has been the rise of state-mandated retirement plans. These plans are designed to provide essential benefits to workers who may not have access to them through their employer. With a growing number of private workers not having access to these crucial benefits, states are increasingly requiring businesses to provide retirement plans to employees. In 2015, the Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance to support the states' efforts to help promote retirement benefits within their respective states. What exactly are state-mandated retirement plans? In recent years, more states have passed legislation requiring businesses to provide retirement benefits for their employees. In these states, employers have the choice between enrolling their workers in the state-sponsored program or establishing their own workplace retirement plan through providers like Betterment. A state-sponsored plan usually involves an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) set up by the employer for participants to contribute. However, certain features may vary between states, so it's a good idea to research your state's specific program to ensure compliance. All but three states are currently working on legislation to implement these plans, which means that more and more Americans will have access to the retirement benefits they need. However, it's important to stay up-to-date on these changes, as failing to comply with the new rules could result in hefty fines. For more details on how state-mandated plans could impact you, read: What state-mandated plans could mean for your small business. All active state mandate programs The following states have enacted legislation and have either implemented or are in the process of implementing a state-mandated program. California Plan Name: CalSavers Status: Mandate in place Deadlines: Deadline passed for 5+ employees; December 31, 2025, for 1-4 employees Details: Not all employers are required to participate. Only employers who do not sponsor a retirement plan and have one or more California employees must join CalSavers. Fines: $250 per eligible employee Illinois Plan Name: Illinois Secure Choice Status: Mandate in place Deadlines: Deadline passed for 5+ employees Details: Not all employers are eligible. Only private-sector employers who do not offer a qualified retirement plan, had at least five employees in every quarter of the previous calendar year, and have been in business for at least two years must facilitate Illinois Secure Choice. Fines: $250 per employee for the first calendar year the employer is non-compliant Oregon Plan Name: OregonSaves Status: Mandate in place Deadlines: Deadline passed for 1+ employees Details: All Oregon employers are required by law to facilitate OregonSaves if they don’t offer a retirement plan for their employees. Fines: $100 per affected employee, with a $5,000 maximum fine per year Connecticut Plan Name: MyCTSavings Status: Mandate in place Deadlines: Deadline passed for 5+ employees Details: Eligible Connecticut businesses are required to facilitate MyCTSavings if they don’t offer a retirement plan and have 5 or more employees. Fines: Penalties may be imposed. Bill is currently in the legislature. Colorado Plan Name: Colorado SecureSavings Program Status: Mandate in place Deadlines: Deadline passed for 5+ employees Details: All Colorado employers who have been in business for at least 2 years, have 5 or more employees, and don’t offer a qualified retirement plan for their employees are required by law to facilitate Colorado SecureSavings. Fines: $100 per affected employee with $5,000 maximum fine per year Maine Plan Name: Maine Retirement Savings Program Status: Mandate in place Deadlines: Deadline passed for 5+ employees Details: Every Maine employer with 5 or more employees will need to facilitate the program if they don’t already offer their own qualified retirement savings plan. Fines: Penalties for failing to enroll employees go into effect on July 1, 2025, as follows: $20 per employee from July 1, 2025, to July 30, 2026 $50 per employee from July 1, 2026, to July 30, 2027 $100 per employee on or after July 1, 2027 Virginia Plan Name: RetirePath Status: Mandate in place Deadlines: Deadline passed for 25+ employees Details: State law requires Virginia employers with 25 or more eligible employees who have operated for 2 or more years and not offered a qualified, employer-sponsored retirement plan must now register and facilitate RetirePath. Fines: $200 per eligible employee New Jersey Plan Name: RetireReady NJ Status: Mandate in place Deadlines: Deadline passed for 40+ employees; November 15, 24 for 25+ employees Details: Every New Jersey employer with 25 or more employees will need to register with the program if they don't already offer their own qualified retirement savings plan. Fines: Businesses that don’t follow state-mandated retirement legislation within one year will receive a written warning. Each following year of non-compliance will result in fines of: 2nd year: $100 per employee 3rd and 4th years: $250 per employee 5th year and beyond: $500 per employee Delaware Plan Name: Delaware EARNS Status: Mandate in place Deadlines: October 15, 2024 for 5+ employees Details: Every Delaware employer with five or more employees will need to facilitate the program if they don’t already offer their own tax-qualified retirement plan. Fines: $250 per affected employee, with $5,000 maximum fine per year Maryland Plan Name: Maryland Saves Status: Mandate in place Deadlines: December 31, 2024 for 1+ employees Details: Businesses are required to register if they have been in operation for at least 2 calendar years, have at least one employee over the age of 18, and use an automated payroll system. Fines: Maryland does not impose a penalty, instead, they use an incentive, offering businesses that enroll $300 per year, waiving the annual filing fee for Maryland businesses. In-progress state mandate programs Vermont Plan Name: Vermont Saves Status: Will be mandatory Deadlines: July 1, 2025 for 25+ employees; January 1, 2026 for 15-24 employees; July 1, 2026 for 5-14 employees Details: It is expected that the program will launch in late 2024. Nevada Plan Name: Nevada Employee Savings Trust Status: Will be mandatory Deadlines: July 1, 2025 for 1,000+ employees; January 1, 2026 for 500-999 employees; July 1, 2026 for 100-499 employees; Jan 1, 2027 for <100 employees Details: In 2023, the Nevada legislature passed SB305 which mandates the establishment of a retirement savings program for private sector employees. Fines: Information not available at this time. Massachusetts Plan Name: Massachusetts Defined Contribution CORE Plan Status: Nonprofit mandatory only Deadlines: Currently effective, but no deadline yet Details: Massachusetts nonprofit organizations with 20 employees or fewer may be eligible to adopt the CORE Plan. The CORE Plan is structured as a 401(k) Multiple Employer Plan (MEP). The MEP structure allows each adopting employer to join the CORE Plan under one plan and trust by executing a Participation Agreement. Fines: Not applicable. New York Plan Name: New York State Secure Choice Savings Program Status: Will be mandatory Deadlines: The SCSP is under development and there is no enrollment requirement at this time. Details: If you’re an employer in New York, state laws require you to offer the Secure Choice Savings Program if you have had 10 or more employees during the entire prior calendar year, have been in business for at least two years, and have not offered a qualified retirement plan during the prior two years. Fines: Information not available at this time. Minnesota Plan Name: Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program Act Status: Will be mandatory Deadlines: Expected to launch by Jan 1, 2025 Details: On May 19, 2023, Governor Walz signed into law a bill establishing the Minnesota Secure Choice Retirement Program. Employers with 5 or more covered employees that do not sponsor a retirement plan for their employees are required to participate in the plan. Fines: Information not available at this time. Hawaii Plan Name: Hawaii Retirement Savings Program Status: Will be mandatory Deadlines: Implementation in progress Details: The Hawaii Retirement Savings Program is a state-facilitated payroll-deduction retirement savings plan where individuals can choose to opt into the program. Employers will be required to provide covered employees with written notice that they may opt into the program, withhold covered employees’ contribution amount from their salary or wages, and transmit covered employees’ payroll deduction contributions to the program. Fines: Information not available at this time. Rhode Island Plan Name: Rhode Island Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program Act Status: Will be mandatory Deadlines: Implementation in progress Details: Private-sector employers with five or more employees will be required to offer a qualified retirement plan or opt into the state-run program. Fines: Information not available at this time. Washington Plan Name: Washington Saves Status: Will be mandatory Deadlines: Expected to launch Jan 1, 2027 Details: Employers must offer their employees access to a state-facilitated IRA if they don’t offer a retirement savings plan. Employees would be enrolled automatically unless they opt out. The program is slated to launch in 2027 and Washington will continue to offer its small-business retirement marketplace in the meantime. Fines: Penalties beginning after January 1, 2030. New Mexico Plan Name: New Mexico Work and Save IRA Status: Voluntary Deadlines: 7/1/24 deadline, but still voluntary Details: Work and Save is a voluntary savings program for private-sector and nonprofit employers and employees and the self-employed facilitated through a Roth Individual Retirement Account. Fines: Not applicable. Missouri Plan Name: Missouri Show-Me MyRetirement Savings Plan Status: Voluntary Deadlines: Expected to launch September 1, 2025 Details: Missouri introduced HB 1732 in 2022, which would create a voluntary MEP for small employers with 50 or fewer employees. Fines: Not applicable. Pennsylvania Plan Name: Keystone Saves Status: Will be mandatory Deadlines: To be determined pending bill passage by Pennsylvania State Senate Details: Employers will be required to offer a state-sponsored IRA or other qualified retirement plan. Employers do not have to participate if they have an established retirement program, have fewer than five employees, or have been in business less than 15 months. Fines: According to the current bill, covered employers shall not be subject to a penalty for not participating in the program. States with legislation being considered The following states have legislation currently being considered for state-mandated reprograms: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Unknown state mandate programs The following states have not yet made clear if they intend to mandate a state retirement program. We will actively update this article as legislation changes. Alabama Florida South Dakota What do state-mandated plans mean for your business? Now is the time to plan ahead if you do not offer a retirement plan for your employees, especially if you operate in a state with an upcoming mandate deadline. In most cases, you’ll have one of two options: Implement your state’s plan: You’ll need to follow your state’s procedures for enrolling and offering a retirement plan, usually an IRA, to your employees. Implement a 401(k) plan: A second option is to skip the state plan, and instead, offer a 401(k) plan from a private provider like Betterment at Work. The benefits of offering a 401(k) Offering a 401(k) has become a tablestakes benefit as employers attempt to attract and retain talent in today’s competitive environment. State mandated plans are designed by the government to address a lack of savings among employees. The purpose is admirable, but state mandated plans may lack some of the benefits of a modern, 401(k) plan, which include: Higher contributions limits to help people save more. A wider range of investment options depending on the number of funds available. The option to provide an employer matching contribution. (Did you know? A 401(k) employer match is the #2 most desired benefit among employees. Learn more.) Learn how to offer a modern 401(k) today At Betterment, we make it easy for small and mid-market businesses to provide a scalable retirement plan. With a Betterment 401(k), you get: Simplified administration, payroll integrations, fiduciary support, and compliance testing Customizable plan features and optional employee benefits Service and support at every step Learn more
