Compare Retirement Plans

When it’s time to choose an employee retirement plan, you need to get it right the first time. Use this information to compare retirement plans, and contact us if you need some guidance.

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RETIREMENT PLAN COMPARISON

Select Plans to Compare

Select two or three plans for a side-by-side comparison. Each plan card uses the same underlying data as the comparison results page, so the information stays consistent throughout the site.

401(k) Plan

A flexible employer-sponsored defined contribution plan that can combine employee salary deferrals with employer matching, nonelective, or profit-sharing contributions.

Typical Business Fit
Businesses of many sizes, especially employers that want employee salary deferrals and flexible plan design.
Best Suited For
Employers seeking a broad, customizable retirement benefit for owners and employees.
Who Contributes
Employees contribute through payroll deferrals; the employer may also contribute.
Employee Deferrals
Yes
Employer Contributions
Optional in many traditional designs; certain safe-harbor designs require employer contributions.
Roth Availability
May be offered
Participant Loans
May be offered if the plan permits
Early Distributions
Plan and tax rules apply. An additional tax can apply to certain early distributions unless an exception is available.
Required Minimum Distributions
Traditional balances are generally subject to federal required-minimum-distribution rules; Roth treatment differs.
Annual IRS Filing
Form 5500-series reporting generally applies, subject to plan-specific filing rules.
ERISA / Plan Status
Generally ERISA-covered when common-law employees participate.
Administrative Complexity
Moderate; can be higher with more sophisticated plan design.
Employer Funding Commitment
Flexible unless the selected plan design requires a specific employer contribution.
Investment Flexibility
Typically a plan investment menu; broader structures may be available depending on provider and plan design.
Automatic Features
Automatic enrollment and escalation may be available
Portability
Eligible distributions can generally be rolled to another eligible retirement plan or IRA.
Startup Tax Credit
May be available to an eligible employer
Global Advisers Role
Global Advisers can advise on and manage the plan investment program and coordinate with the recordkeeper, administrator, and custodian.
Plan Details

Self-Employed 401(k)

A one-participant 401(k) for an owner-only business, including an owner and spouse, with no eligible common-law employees.

Typical Business Fit
Owner-only businesses, sole proprietors, independent professionals, and qualifying partnerships without eligible common-law employees.
Best Suited For
Owners who want both employee-style deferrals and employer contributions without maintaining a plan for common-law employees.
Who Contributes
The owner contributes in the dual role of employee and employer; an eligible spouse may also participate.
Employee Deferrals
Yes
Employer Contributions
Yes; the business may make employer contributions subject to plan and tax rules.
Roth Availability
May be offered
Participant Loans
May be offered if the plan permits
Early Distributions
Plan and tax rules apply. An additional tax can apply to certain early distributions unless an exception is available.
Required Minimum Distributions
Traditional balances are generally subject to federal required-minimum-distribution rules; Roth treatment differs.
Annual IRS Filing
Special one-participant Form 5500-EZ or Form 5500-SF filing rules can apply.
ERISA / Plan Status
A plan covering only an owner, owner and spouse, or qualifying partners generally is not subject to ERISA Title I as an employee benefit plan.
Administrative Complexity
Low to moderate, depending on provider, assets, and plan features.
Employer Funding Commitment
Flexible from year to year, subject to plan and tax rules.
Investment Flexibility
Can be broad depending on custodian and plan document.
Automatic Features
Usually not relevant for an owner-only plan
Portability
Eligible rollovers in and out may be permitted.
Startup Tax Credit
Employer eligibility should be confirmed
Global Advisers Role
Global Advisers can advise on and manage plan assets and coordinate investment implementation with the custodian and plan provider.
Plan Details

SEP IRA

A simplified employer-funded retirement arrangement frequently used by self-employed individuals and small businesses.

Typical Business Fit
Self-employed individuals and businesses of many sizes, most often smaller employers with a limited number of eligible employees.
Best Suited For
Businesses prioritizing simple administration and employer-funded contributions.
Who Contributes
The employer makes SEP contributions for eligible participants.
Employee Deferrals
No employee salary deferrals under a regular SEP
Employer Contributions
Employer-funded and generally discretionary; allocation rules must be applied consistently to eligible employees.
Roth Availability
A Roth SEP IRA option may be offered under current law
Participant Loans
No
Early Distributions
IRA distribution rules apply. An additional tax can apply to certain early distributions unless an exception is available.
Required Minimum Distributions
Traditional IRA required-minimum-distribution rules generally apply; Roth IRA treatment differs.
Annual IRS Filing
The employer generally does not file an annual Form 5500 for a SEP arrangement.
ERISA / Plan Status
Simplified reporting and disclosure rules apply; employee coverage can still involve ERISA protections and responsibilities.
Administrative Complexity
Low.
Employer Funding Commitment
Generally flexible from year to year, but contributions for eligible employees must follow the plan formula.
Investment Flexibility
IRA-based investment choices depend on the financial institution and account platform.
Automatic Features
Not a typical SEP feature
Portability
IRA rollover and transfer rules generally apply.
Startup Tax Credit
May be available to an eligible employer
Global Advisers Role
Global Advisers can advise on and manage SEP IRA investments and coordinate the investment program with the account provider.
Plan Details

SIMPLE IRA

A lower-administration retirement plan for eligible smaller employers that combines employee salary-reduction contributions with required employer contributions.

Typical Business Fit
Generally employers with 100 or fewer employees that meet the SIMPLE IRA eligibility rules and generally do not maintain another retirement plan.
Best Suited For
Smaller employers that want employee payroll deferrals with simpler administration than a traditional 401(k).
Who Contributes
Employees may defer compensation; the employer must make the required matching or nonelective contribution.
Employee Deferrals
Yes
Employer Contributions
Required each year under one of the permitted SIMPLE contribution methods.
Roth Availability
A Roth SIMPLE IRA option may be offered under current law
Participant Loans
No
Early Distributions
IRA distribution rules apply, including special rules that can apply during the first two years of participation.
Required Minimum Distributions
Traditional IRA required-minimum-distribution rules generally apply; Roth IRA treatment differs.
Annual IRS Filing
The employer generally does not file an annual Form 5500 for a SIMPLE IRA plan.
ERISA / Plan Status
Generally ERISA-covered when employees participate, with simplified administration and reporting compared with many qualified plans.
Administrative Complexity
Low.
Employer Funding Commitment
An employer contribution is required each year under the selected SIMPLE formula.
Investment Flexibility
IRA-based investment choices depend on the financial institution and plan arrangement.
Automatic Features
Automatic enrollment may be used
Portability
Rollovers and transfers are permitted subject to SIMPLE IRA rules.
Startup Tax Credit
May be available to an eligible employer
Global Advisers Role
Global Advisers can advise on and manage SIMPLE IRA investments and coordinate with the plan financial institution.
Plan Details

Defined Benefit Plan

A pension-style plan that promises a benefit determined by a formula and can support substantial employer funding for appropriate businesses.

Typical Business Fit
Businesses of any size; often considered by profitable owner-led firms and professional practices with stable cash flow.
Best Suited For
Employers seeking a predictable retirement benefit and, where appropriate, greater deductible funding than a defined contribution plan alone.
Who Contributes
The employer generally makes most contributions; some plans may permit or require employee contributions.
Employee Deferrals
Not an employee salary-deferral plan
Employer Contributions
Funding is determined under actuarial rules and the plan formula.
Roth Availability
Not a designated Roth salary-deferral arrangement
Participant Loans
May be permitted if the plan allows
Early Distributions
Distribution timing is restricted by plan and tax rules; in-service distributions are generally limited.
Required Minimum Distributions
Federal required-minimum-distribution rules generally apply.
Annual IRS Filing
Annual Form 5500 reporting and actuarial schedules are generally required.
ERISA / Plan Status
Generally ERISA-covered when maintained for employees.
Administrative Complexity
High; actuarial services and ongoing funding calculations are required.
Employer Funding Commitment
Higher and less flexible than most defined contribution arrangements because funding is actuarially determined.
Investment Flexibility
Plan assets are invested under the plan trust or custodial structure and investment policy.
Automatic Features
Not typically applicable
Portability
Depends on the plan benefit form; eligible lump-sum distributions may be rollover-eligible when available.
Startup Tax Credit
May be available to an eligible employer
Global Advisers Role
Global Advisers can advise on and manage plan investments and coordinate with the plan administrator, actuary, custodian, and other professionals.
Plan Details

Company Retirement Account

An investment-only brokerage account that holds assets of an existing employer-sponsored retirement plan. It is not a separate retirement-plan contribution formula.

Typical Business Fit
Employers that already have a qualified retirement plan and want an investment-only account structure for plan assets.
Best Suited For
Existing plans seeking broader investment flexibility while administration and compliance remain with the plan's designated providers.
Who Contributes
Determined by the underlying retirement plan.
Employee Deferrals
Determined by the underlying plan
Employer Contributions
Determined by the underlying plan.
Roth Availability
Determined by the underlying plan
Participant Loans
Determined by the underlying plan
Early Distributions
Determined by the underlying plan and applicable tax rules.
Required Minimum Distributions
Determined by the underlying plan and participant account type.
Annual IRS Filing
The underlying retirement plan remains responsible for its applicable reporting requirements.
ERISA / Plan Status
The status and responsibilities of the underlying plan continue to apply.
Administrative Complexity
The CRA itself is investment-only; the underlying plan still requires its normal administration.
Employer Funding Commitment
Not a contribution formula. Funding is determined by the underlying plan.
Investment Flexibility
Potentially broader brokerage and managed-investment flexibility than a traditional bundled plan platform.
Automatic Features
Determined by the underlying plan
Portability
Determined by the underlying plan.
Startup Tax Credit
The CRA itself is not a new retirement plan
Global Advisers Role
Global Advisers provides ongoing advice and professional management for investments held in the account and coordinates with the custodian and administrator.
Plan Details
About the Company Retirement Account: It is an investment-only account for assets of an existing employer-sponsored retirement plan, not a separate retirement-plan contribution formula. It is included because employers may want to compare its investment and administration characteristics with the plan structures shown above.
Important Disclosure This comparison is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not provide individualized investment, tax, legal, or retirement-plan advice and is not a recommendation to establish, amend, terminate, or select any particular retirement plan. Eligibility, plan documents, employee demographics, testing, tax treatment, contribution formulas, administrative requirements, and available features can change the result. Consult appropriate financial, tax, legal, actuarial, and retirement-plan professionals before implementing a plan.

Insurance products and services are separate from investment advisory services. Insurance coverage, eligibility, premiums, benefits, and availability vary by insurer, plan, employer characteristics, and state. Global Advisers and/or its licensed insurance professionals may receive commissions or other compensation from insurance carriers in connection with insurance products or placements. Clients are not required to purchase insurance products through Global Advisers as a condition of receiving investment advisory services. Information provided regarding employee benefits is general in nature and is not intended as legal, tax, or accounting advice.

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