Accounting professionals enrolled in Gusto Retirement Pro can use this article to understand how the rewards program works, including how to earn referral rewards and pass discounts to your clients.
Understand the rewards program
When you refer a client to a Gusto 401(k), you earn a one-time referral reward based on their employee count — up to $5,000. Your clients also get free months with no employer fees when they enroll.
Why it works for accountants:
Pass discounts along to your clients
No waiting on perpetual revenue share
Simple: refer → client enrolls → you get paid
Check your eligibility
Eligible:
Partners who are not acting as a fiduciary for the referred plan
New plan referrals — clients without a current 401(k) plan
Conversion plan referrals — clients moving from another 401(k) provider to Gusto
Not eligible:
Partners who are acting as a fiduciary for the referred plan
Clients already enrolled in a Gusto 401(k) plan
Important: If you are acting as a fiduciary — someone responsible for making investment and financial decisions for a client's 401(k) plan — you cannot earn a referral fee for that plan due to a regulatory conflict of interest.
Understand fiduciary rules
Why are fiduciaries not eligible for referral fees?
If you are acting as a fiduciary for a plan, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) prohibits you from personally profiting from that relationship. Doing so may be considered a conflict of interest.
What if I am a fiduciary for only some plans?
You can still earn referral fees — just not for the plans where you are acting as a fiduciary. Your other referrals are unaffected.
View the rewards schedule
Your reward — and your client's free months — depends on their employee count at enrollment.
Employee count | Your referral reward | Client's free months¹ |
0–4 | $500 | 3 months |
5–9 | $750 | 4 months |
10–24 | $1,000 | 4 months |
25–49 | $2,000 | 5 months |
50–99 | $3,500 | 6 months |
100+ | $5,000 | 6 months |
Understand how discounts apply
Will my existing clients qualify for the rewards program discount?
The discount only applies to new plans as of April 22, 2026.
Any clients who were enrolled in the legacy rewards program will continue to receive any discount based on your prior tier category.
Will my clients see their discount during plan setup?
Yes. Your clients will see the discount automatically applied when they set up their plan. The discount starts with your client's first invoice.
My firm has a Gusto 401(k). Do I qualify for a six-month offer?
Yes. Once you sign up for Gusto Retirement Pro reach out to your Partner Manager, and we will waive your firm's employer fees for the next six months.
When will my firm get our six-month discount?
If you are opening a new Gusto 401(k) plan, you will get your discount when you start your plan.
Can my firm or clients combine other promotions with the rewards program discount?
No. We do not combine discounts. We will honor the higher value discount for you and your clients.
I did not know this program existed, and I referred clients in the past. Can I add them to the discount program?
Any clients added before this discount was in place will not qualify for the referral bonus or employer fee discount. However, you can add existing customers through your Gusto Retirement dashboard. To do so, simply enter your clients’ EINs, then ask them to give you access from their administrator dashboard.
Partner resources
Is there anything I can add to my website to show I'm a Gusto Retirement Pro partner?
Yes. Reach out to your dedicated Partner Manager, and they will provide you with your partner badge.
¹ Employer fees include Gusto Retirement Services' monthly base fee and a monthly participant fee after the new plan begins. Other participant-paid fees will apply. See the pricing page for more information about our fees. This offer cannot be combined with other offers. Gusto reserves the right to modify or discontinue this promotion at any time without prior notice.