This article provides some introductory information for 401(k) plan sponsors and administrators and can help direct you to more detailed articles that expand on certain topics that you may find insightful.

We want to make sure you have all available resources and information to keep your plan operating smoothly. Below you will find answers to our top plan administrator FAQs for active plans. If you have questions while setting up a new plan, check out our Top FAQ in Onboarding.

Some plan provisions, such as eligibility and employer matching contribution levels, can be changed at any time by reaching out to our Plan Administrator Support team.

Compliance testing refers to testing required by the IRS to ensure plans are offered to employees on a nondiscriminatory basis.

Learn more about compliance testing here.

Automatic enrollment is a common 401(k) plan feature that helps individuals who take no action with regard to plan enrollment to save for retirement. Participants receive a notice of the automatic contribution arrangement prior to the plan start date or the date they are eligible. Participants who do not enroll on their own or opt out of plan participation are automatically enrolled at the plan’s default contribution rate when they become eligible. All Guideline plans include an automatic enrollment feature.
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To change your payroll provider, please visit the payroll tab on your Guideline administrator dashboard at least one week prior to running payroll with your new provider. Depending on which payroll provider you are moving to, we will send you instructions through the dashboard to make the payroll change process smooth for you. Changing to or from an integrated payroll provider can change how your Guideline plan is managed. See this article to learn more about our payroll integrations.
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In the event of operational errors such as missed or late contributions , there is IRS guidance for correcting these errors in the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System.
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Visit the settings tab of your Guideline administrator dashboard to change your entity name, employer identification number, entity type, address, and phone number, or to update administrators to the plan. Name and EIN changes will require supporting documentation, as well as approval from the plan’s Trustee from their Guideline Dashboard.
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With Guideline, plans must have an 18-21 age minimum requirement and a 0, 3, 6 or 12 month service requirement. Please note that for Guideline plans, all part-time, seasonal, intern, and full-time employees who meet these requirements are eligible to participate in the plan. See this article to learn more about eligibility requirements.

The Form 5500 is an annual report of plan activity that is required to be filed with the IRS.
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As a plan sponsor, there are deadlines for reporting requirements, tax forms, and employee notices that must be met each year. The following are some important deadlines to be mindful of:

Learn more about other deadlines here.
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Check out out contact information and operating hours.

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