What's the Difference? State-Sponsored Retirement Plan vs. Employer-Sponsored 401(k)

There is some confusion about retirement plans, especially the recent swath of state sponsored plans. Now there is a real answer to employer sponsored programs as baby boomers and soon, Gen Z-ers retire and join the pool of people who will require coverage. But what are the real differences? This primer will give you the answers.

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As of October 2023, 18 states have enacted legislation for state-sponsored retirement plans while nine have fully implemented their plans. These plans, all but three are mandatory, will allow employees to save for their nonworking years if they lack access to an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan.

State-sponsored retirement plans aim to stop the impending avalanche of impoverished senior citizens. More than half of American workers — in fact about 55 million — don't have an employer-based retirement savings plan, particularly those who work for small companies, as well as many younger workers, minorities, and low- to moderate-income earners. Nearly 50% of households in the U.S. had no retirement savings in accounts such as IRAs, 401(k), 403(b), and others, according to the Survey of Consumer Finances. 

How do state-sponsored retirement plans compare with employer-sponsored 401(k) plans? If you run a small business and don't offer your staff a way to save for retirement, should you try to establish a 401(k) benefit? If you don't operate in a state that soon will provide a state-sponsored retirement plan, is it best to wait for that option to materialize?

Knowing the differences between the two types of retirement plans can help you decide.

401(k) plans at employer discretion

In general, 401(k) plans backed by businesses:

• Are established at an employer's discretion;

• Offer investment vehicles chosen by the employer;

• Allow employees to opt out of making contributions;

• Permit workers to choose among a range of investment funds at various levels of risk; and

• Don't require employers to make contributions of any amount to workers' accounts.

Many small-business owners think that 401(k) plans are prohibitively expensive, but that's not true. On the contrary, many plans are now tailored for smaller companies. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) gives tax credits to firms with fewer than 100 employees for some of the ordinary and necessary costs of starting a qualified retirement plan.

Under the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, qualified businesses might be eligible for tax credits for establishing a workplace retirement plan for employees. There are up to $16,500 in credits available ($5,000 per year, with an additional $500 per year for implementing auto-enrollment) for the first three years. Under SECURE Act 2.0, which was signed into law in December 2022, additional credits became available, including the employer contribution credit. This credit is generally a percentage of the amount contributed by the employer, up to $1,000 per employee. It is limited to employers with 50 or fewer employees and reduced  for employers with between 51 and 100 employees.

There are other good reasons to sponsor a 401(k) plan:

• It increases your company's attractiveness in the job market;

• It offers additional opportunities for tax savings if you offer a company match to participating employees. Your contributions are tax-deductible up to applicable IRS limits;

• It helps your firm retain valuable staff; and

• You and other company leaders can participate.

If you work with a payroll services provider, the software can automatically transfer participants' contributions into the 401(k), making the procedure effortless.

Clearly, adding a 401(k) to your company's benefits package has strategic advantages.

State-sponsored retirement plans mandatory

By not providing your workforce with a retirement plan, you risk having your state impose one. This is done for the benefit of workers' retirement years, but it removes control from employers.

State-sponsored retirement plans:

• Are mandated for businesses of a certain size if they don't offer a retirement plan for their employees;

• Use investment firms chosen by the state;

• Use either a pre-tax, traditional IRA or a Roth IRA as the investment vehicle;

• Require participating companies to set aside a percentage of every worker's salary each month for the retirement fund;

• Allow workers to opt out of contributing via payroll deduction (although the employer makes monthly contributions on each employee's behalf);

• Lower investment and administrative fees; and

• Improve retirement for people with limited savings options.

No one wants the United States burdened by a huge population of impoverished retirees. Studies have found that most retirement saving occurs in the workplace via employer-sponsored savings plans. According to a Pew Charitable Trust report, "With life expectancy on the rise, workers' efforts to prepare for retirement face threats from inadequate investment returns, large or unexpected expenses, and inflation. These risks affect all Americans, but those who have saved for retirement have a real advantage."