Safe harbor 401(k) plans for you & your team.

Start a safe harbor 401(k) to automatically pass important, annual IRS tests.1

Safe harbor provision deadlines

Add a safe harbor plan today. Help your employees save for tomorrow.

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Why a safe harbor plan?

Focus on running your business. Not your 401(k).

  • All 401(k) plans must pass annual IRS tests to show they don't favor high-earning employees or owners. 

  • Adding a safe harbor provision excuses your company from some key tests—while helping all employees maximize their contributions.

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Safe harbor options to
meet your needs

Most affordable

Basic match option provides 100% match on the first 3% of employee contributions + 50% match on the next 2%.

Most popular

Enhanced match options must match 100% on the first 4-6% of employee contributions and are most popular at Human Interest.3

Most employees covered

Nonelective options must provide a 3% contribution or more for each employee—whether they contribute or not.4

Start your safe harbor 401(k) today

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How much does it cost?

Human Interest plans come with transparent pricing and zero transaction fees. Employers have an affordable monthly rate and pay safe harbor contributions to their employees.

Monthly pricing starting at only:

$120

base fee

+
$5

per eligible employee

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An investment advisory fee is paid to Human Interest Advisors (HIA) of 0.01% of plan assets and a separate fee for recordkeeping services and custody-related expenses is paid to Human Interest Inc. (HII) of 0.05% of plan assets. Both fees are deducted on a monthly basis from the employee's account according to the HII and HIA Terms of Service. All prices are exclusive of applicable taxes. If the plan sponsor elects to hire an external investment advisor, the plan sponsor will pay such advisor as agreed between the plan sponsor and advisor. For more information, please see our pricing page.

Why should you add a safe harbor provision?

Less red tape for employers. More opportunity to save for employees.

  • Avoid administrative hassles: Safeguard your business from key nondiscrimination tests.

  • Empower employees to save: Employer matches can help boost participation rates.5

  • Avoid ADP and ACP testing: Safe harbor contributions help plans pass most annual tests. 

  • Max out your savings: Safe harbor allows ALL participants to max out contributions without fear of refunds

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401(k) plans designed for you and your employees

Complete safe harbor solutions for small business owners

  • Benefit from tax credits: Employers may be eligible for tax credits of up to $5,000/year for three years for setting up a new 401(k) + $500/year for three years for setting up auto-enrollment.6

  • Reduce your manual work: Integration with 450+ payroll providers helps automate essential administrative tasks.7

  • Customize your plan: Flexible plan design means you can choose a safe harbor provision that meets your needs.

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Start your safe harbor 401(k) in a few easy steps

1

Provide your information

Enter basic details

2

Customize your plan

Choose from flexible designs

3

Launch your 401(k)

We'll connect & launch your plan

Safe harbor 401(k) frequently asked questions

Notes

1

Certain plans may have until September 23, 2022, to sign order forms. Signed plan documents, initial payroll integration, and bank deposits must be verified by October 1, 2022, to ensure at least three months of deferral opportunity are offered to plan participants. Contact Human Interest to learn more.

2

Safe harbor notices must be delivered within a reasonable period before the effective date. Notice is automatically considered timely if given at least 30 days in advance.

3

Human Interest, July 2022.

4

Nonelective contribution deadlines: New and existing plans follow the same deadlines to establish or add a safe harbor nonelective contribution. December 1, 2022, is the last day to add a 3% NEC for 2022, while December 31, 2023, is the last day to add a 4% NEC for 2022. A plan may only be a safe harbor plan for the first plan year if deferrals can be made to the plan for at least 3 months in the first plan year. If a plan is set up by October 1 (for calendar year plans), the sponsor can still amend to add a safe harbor nonelective contribution at a later date.

5

According to Pew Charitable Trusts research from 2017, when a match is offered, takeup rises by 15 to 15.5 percentage points in each generation.

6

Retirement Plans Startup Costs Tax Credit. IRS.gov. https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-startup-costs-tax-credit

7

Refer to https://humaninterest.com/payrolls/ for a list of integrated payroll providers.