A Ubiquity Small Business 401(k) enables:
Find the right plan for your small business in just a few clicks.
When compared to a SIMPLE IRA, a 401(k) plan is the smarter solution for small businesses, ultimately providing greater value for owners and employees.
The Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) is a type of Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Typically a 401(k) retirement savings account offers a broader range of investment options than a SIMPLE IRA. Here are some other key differences:
The higher contribution limit of the small business 401(k) paves the way for bigger tax relief today and bigger returns tomorrow.
For employers and employees 49 and under:
For employers and employees 50+:
Consider that an extra $6,000 per year will compound into $180,000 over 30 years (assuming the average 8% annual return). This figure doesn’t take into consideration matching employer contributions, so the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is even brighter for your employees when you offer a small business 401(k).
Today you may be a small business with a handful of employees, but what if you meet with quick success and need to scale up your operations? Do you want to add the headache of switching to a new retirement plan? A small business 401(k) plan has the flexibility to accommodate your business as it grows.
Some 401(k) plan providers charge per-participant administrative fees, so if you are concerned about scaling up in the future, be sure you find a flat-fee service provider like Ubiquity!
Employers with a SIMPLE IRA are required to match employee contributions. They can choose to make a non-elective contribution of at least 2 percent of compensation for all eligible employees earning at least $5,000, or they may opt to make a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution up to the first 3 percent of compensation.
The employer match is completely optional for small business 401(k)s. Most employers choose to make a matching or profit-sharing contribution up to 25% to a maximum of $61,000 (combined employee/employer).
Employee retention is a fundamental goal for many small businesses. One way employers hang onto core employees during the early years is to make their 401(k) plans “vested.” Employers can choose to vest employees immediately, on a cliff, or in a graded fashion.
A cliff vested plan allows employees to begin contributing to the 401(k) immediately, but they do not receive the employer matching contributions until a specific amount of time elapses (such as five years.) If employees leave before the vesting schedule, they can still keep the money they put into the retirement account, but they will not receive the match.
A graded vesting schedule may give employees 20% of the employee match after two years, 40% after three years, 60% after four years, 80% after five years, and 100% after six years.
Choosing a small business 401(k) provides the freedom to choose which type of benefit works for you.
The main reason small businesses would choose a SIMPLE IRA is that setup and maintenance are considered easier than with a 401(k). While certain annual employee notifications must be made by November 1, there is no employer tax filings necessary. There is no IRS-mandated testing required to ensure that highly compensated executives are not receiving favorable treatment.
ERISA requires every 401(k) plan to complete certain tests to confirm they do not exceed IRS contribution limits or discriminate in favor of Highly Compensated Employees (HCEs).
You may be able to roll a SIMPLE IRA into a Roth IRA, but you must participate in the SIMPLE IRA for at least two years before removing funds to avoid the 25% penalty. Even if you wait long enough to evade the penalty, you will still owe taxes on the entire balance converted to a Roth IRA, so it still feels like a penalty of sorts.
Most people will go for the traditional 401(k) and pay tax on the assets when they are withdrawn in retirement. However, high earners or those who plan to live more lavishly in retirement may opt to pay the taxes upfront and pay no tax later by signing up for a Roth 401(k).
With a SIMPLE IRA, you can withdraw your money at any time, but you’ll be subject to a 25% penalty if you take a withdrawal within the first two years and a 10% penalty if you are under the age of 59.5.
By contrast, employers and employees can borrow from their own 401(k) accounts if necessary. Disability and termination of employment are common reasons to dip into a 401(k). Hardship withdrawals may be available, but a 10% penalty applies to those under the age of 59.5
With a budget-friendly, easy-to-use 401(k) solution from Ubiquity, business owners and employees enjoy substantial benefits. Offering a 401(k) is an optimal way to:
With generous tax benefits, high contribution limits, and maximum flexibility, a small business 401(k) may be just what you need to make your enterprise more competitive. Contact Ubiquity for 401(k) resources and to learn more about our low-cost, flat-fee, high-value plan administration.
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44 Montgomery Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94104
Support: 855.401.4357
© 2023 Ubiquity Retirement + Savings
Privacy Policy
Do not sell my info
44 Montgomery Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94104
Support: 855.401.4357