Retirement Plans for Business Owners & Employers

Helping employers evaluate, implement, and manage retirement plans that support their business goals and employees' financial futures.

401(k) Plans

A 401(k) plan can be a valuable tool for business owners looking to save for retirement while offering a meaningful benefit to employees.

Potential Considerations

  • Employee and employer contribution opportunities

  • Flexibility in plan design

  • Ability to incorporate matching or profit-sharing contributions

  • Retirement savings opportunities for business owners and key employees

  • Employee recruitment and retention benefits

  • Continuous client-focused and administrative responsibilities

  • Potential tax advantages for employers and participants

For many businesses, a 401(k) serves as the foundation of a broader retirement strategy, helping owners work toward their long-term goals while supporting the financial well-being of employees.

SEP IRA

A simplified retirement plan often used by self-employed individuals and small businesses seeking administrative simplicity.

Potential Considerations

  • Easy to establish and maintain

  • Generally fewer administrative requirements than some qualified retirement plans

  • Employer contributions are discretionary and can vary from year to year

  • May be a fit for businesses with few or no employees

  • Can provide meaningful retirement savings opportunities for business owners

As businesses grow, owners often evaluate whether a SEP IRA continues to align with their goals or whether another retirement plan structure may offer additional flexibility.

SIMPLE IRA

A SIMPLE IRA (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees) is designed for smaller businesses looking to provide retirement benefits to employees through a relatively straightforward plan structure.

Potential Considerations

  • Allows both employee and employer contributions

  • Can help employers offer a retirement benefit without the complexity of some larger plans

  • Generally easier to administer than many traditional 401(k) plans

  • Provides employees with an opportunity to save through payroll deductions

  • May be attractive for smaller businesses seeking a cost-conscious retirement plan solution

As businesses expand or profitability increases, employers may choose to evaluate whether a 401(k) or other retirement plan design could provide additional opportunities for owners and employees.

Already Have a Retirement Plan?

Retirement plans should be reviewed periodically as businesses grow and regulations evolve.

We can help evaluate:

  • Investment lineup

  • Plan fees and expenses

  • Client-focused considerations

  • Participant engagement

  • Plan design effectiveness

  • Alignment with business objectives

Many employers discover opportunities to improve their plan without changing their overall retirement strategy.

As profitability and retirement goals evolve, some business owners choose to explore strategies beyond a single retirement plan. Coordinating multiple retirement plans, such as a 401(k) and cash balance plan, may provide additional opportunities for retirement savings while supporting broader tax and financial planning goals.

Cash Balance Plans

A cash balance plan is a retirement strategy that may allow certain business owners and high-income professionals to make larger retirement contributions than may be available through a traditional retirement plan alone.

These plans are often considered by business owners who are seeking to accelerate retirement savings while balancing broader tax advantaged strategies and financial planning objectives.

Potential Considerations

  • Opportunity for larger retirement contributions

  • May complement an existing 401(k) plan

  • Potential tax advantages for business owners

  • Often utilized by highly profitable businesses and professional practices

  • Can support accelerated retirement savings goals

  • Requires ongoing administration and plan oversight

Cash balance plans are frequently explored by physicians, dentists, attorneys, and other business owners who are looking for additional retirement savings opportunities beyond traditional retirement plan limits.

Supporting Employers Beyond Plan Implementation

Establishing a retirement plan is only the beginning. As your business evolves, ongoing support can help ensure your retirement plan continues to align with the needs of both your organization and your employees.

Support may include:

  • Retirement plan reviews

  • Investment monitoring

  • Client-focused guidance

  • Coordination with third-party administrators

  • Employee education

  • Assistance with plan updates and design changes

Retirement plans are an important component of employee benefits, but financial wellness often extends beyond retirement savings alone. Employees may also benefit from education and resources related to budgeting, debt management, savings strategies, and other financial topics that can impact their overall financial well-being.

Supporting Your Employees. Planning for Your Future.

A thoughtfully designed retirement plan can play an important role in helping business owners pursue their financial goals while providing meaningful benefits to employees.

Whether you're exploring retirement plan options, reviewing an existing plan, or looking to enhance employee financial wellness, having the right guidance can help bring greater clarity and confidence to the process.

Through retirement plan consulting and resources available through BalanceWellBeing, we help employers support both retirement readiness and broader financial well-being.