The Retention Tool Most Businesses Underuse
Employees rank retirement benefits as the third most important factor when evaluating a job offer — behind only salary and health insurance. Yet fewer than half of small business employees have access to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Companies offering retirement benefits see roughly 40% lower voluntary turnover than those that don’t.
When you factor in the cost of replacing a single skilled employee — typically 50% to 200% of their annual salary — the math on a well-designed 401(k) becomes very compelling very quickly. There’s another beneficiary that often gets overlooked: you, the business owner.
Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans
Safe Harbor plans bypass annual nondiscrimination tests by committing to a minimum employer contribution for all eligible employees. In exchange, highly compensated participants — including owners — can contribute up to the full IRS limit without restriction. For a business owner who wants to maximize personal retirement contributions, the Safe Harbor structure can make a significant difference.
401(k) Plans for Small Businesses
The SECURE 2.0 Act added significant new incentives for small employers to establish retirement plans. Eligible businesses with fewer than 100 employees may qualify for tax credits of up to $5,000 per year for three years to cover plan startup costs, plus an additional credit of up to $1,000 per employee for employer contributions.
Today’s retirement plan marketplace has made small business 401(k) plans more accessible, more affordable, and easier to administer than at any point in history.
401(k) Plans for Trucking Companies
The American Trucking Associations estimates a driver shortage exceeding 80,000 as of 2023. In this environment, a well-designed 401(k) plan with employer matching gives trucking companies a meaningful advantage. If replacing a Class A CDL driver costs $8,000 to $12,000 per departure, a 401(k) plan that reduces annual driver turnover by even a few percentage points typically pays for itself many times over.