401(k) companies help employers set up and manage retirement plans for their staff. These providers handle plan administration, compliance, and recordkeeping, making it easier for businesses to offer tax-advantaged retirement savings to employees. For many workers, a 401(k) plan is the main way to build retirement savings.
This guide lists the leading 401(k) companies in the US. You’ll find details on their products and services, so you can compare options and help clients choose the right provider for their needs.
401(k) companies, also called 401(k) providers, are firms that work with businesses that want to offer retirement savings plans. They handle the technical and regulatory details, so employers can provide tax-advantaged benefits without additional administrative burden. Their services cover everything from plan setup to ongoing management and compliance.
401(k) companies work with employers of all sizes. They support plan design, manage investments, and ensure payroll contributions are processed correctly. This allows employers to focus on their core business while offering a key employee benefit.
401(k) providers offer a range of services to help employers manage their retirement plans, including:
Employers partner with 401(k) providers for several practical reasons, including:
Check out this guide if you want to learn more about the importance of 401(k) in retirement planning.
The US is home to hundreds of 401(k) companies offering different services. Here are some of the best 401(k) providers arranged alphabetically:
1. ADP Retirement Services offers Starter-k plan for small businesses and Essential, Enhanced, and Premier plans for larger firms. Employees can access financial planning tools, tax-advantaged contributions, and a range of investment choices.
2. Alight Solutions provides plan administration, employee education, and investment management for employer-sponsored retirement plans. The company also offers IRA and financial health tools to support employee retirement and well-being through the Alight Worklife platform.
3. Ameriprise Financial Services’ 401(k) plan offers employees a company match, immediate eligibility, and options for both pre-tax and Roth 401(k) contributions.
4. Ascensus provides individual and traditional 401(k) plans, multiple employer plans (MEP), and pooled employer plans (PEP). Employers can choose full service or recordkeeping only, whichever fits their needs.
5. Betterment offers expert-built portfolios, customizable investment options, and flexible plan design features like auto-enrollment and profit sharing. Employers get real-time plan metrics, compliance support, and employee education resources, including in-app retirement advice and financial wellness benefits.
6. Capital Group provides a range of 401(k) plan solutions and investment options through American Funds. Employers and participants can choose plans that fit their retirement needs.
7. Cetera offers Easy(k) plan for small businesses, Custom(k) for those who want flexible plans, and Solo(k) for self-employed owners. Each plan from the 401(k) company supports different business needs and contribution limits.
8. Charles Schwab is one of the leading 401(k) companies in the US. It offers individual 401(k) plans for self-employed individuals and partnerships without full-time employees. These include traditional and Roth options. Plans allow higher contribution limits, flexible funding as both employer and employee, and simple administration with no setup or maintenance fees.
9. Corebridge Financial provides 401(k) plans with online account access, investment choices, and educational resources. Employers and employees can track contributions, manage investments, and access plan details through a secure platform.
10. Datair Employee Benefits System is a software developer and services provider. The company provides proposal, administration, recordkeeping, and compliance testing for 401(k) plans.
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11. Edward Jones helps businesses set up and manage employee 401(k) plans and offers owner-only 401(k) plans for self-employed individuals. The firm also supports 401(k) rollovers for individuals moving funds from a previous employer’s plan.
12. Employee Fiduciary offers simple and affordable 401(k) plans for small businesses, solopreneurs, non-profits, and advisors. Plans are tailored to each client’s needs and focus on transparent management and employee financial wellbeing.
13. Empower provides 401(k) plans for businesses of all sizes. Among the services it offers are plan administration, investment options, and participant education. Employers and employees can access digital tools to manage retirement savings and track progress toward financial goals.
14. Equitable is a 401(k) company that provides bundled and unbundled plan administration, onboarding support, and investment fiduciary services. It also offers financial wellness tools, retirement education, and managed account services for workplace plans.
15. Fidelity Investments offers 401(k) plan administration, investment options, and digital tools for employers and employees. The company supports plan design, compliance, and participant education for workplace retirement plans.
16. ForUsAll provides affordable 401(k) plans with a simple menu of low-cost funds and managed options. Employers can add environmentally friendly funds, a brokerage window, and access to cryptocurrencies for greater investment flexibility.
17. Goldman Sachs offers a 401(k) plan with automatic enrollment, matching contributions up to 6 percent of total compensation, and a fixed contribution for eligible employees. The plan features a range of investment options, in-plan Roth conversions, loan access, and financial coaching through the Personal Finance Center.
18. Guideline provides customizable 401(k) plans with automated administration, compliance testing, and recordkeeping. The platform features safe harbor and Roth options, profit sharing, payroll integration, and an intuitive dashboard for employers and employees.
19. Gusto connects employers with a network of low-cost 401(k) plan providers and supports automatic payroll deductions. Employees can manage their retirement accounts, paystubs, and contribution details through an integrated Gusto account.
20. Human Interest is among the leading 401(k) companies for small businesses and self-employed individuals. It offers automated plan administration, in-house recordkeeping, and regulatory support. The firm also provides solo 401(k) plans with high contribution limits and flexible investment options for self-employed professionals.
Check out our Best in Wealth Special Reports section to get to know the industry’s top leaders, including retirement planning experts.
21. Insperity’s Insperity Choice 401(k) plans come with turnkey and customizable options for small and large businesses. Plans feature payroll integration, daily valuation recordkeeping, open-architecture investments, and participant tools like SmartPlan for guided enrollment and retirement planning.
22. John Hancock is the wealth and asset management arm of insurance giant Manulife and considered one of the top 401(k) companies. John Hancock 401(k) plans provide diverse investment options, auto-enrollment, managed retirement accounts, educational tools, and features like Roth contributions, employer matching, and loan provisions.
23. J.P. Morgan offers 401(k) plans through its Retirement Link platform. The plans feature employer-matching, before-tax and Roth contributions, digital tools, solo 401(k) options, and dedicated support with tax credit opportunities for employers.
24. July specializes in owner-only 401(k) plans that allow for larger contributions and greater tax savings than SEP or SIMPLE plans. The firm works with advisors and CPAs to design flexible plans with features like early withdrawals and tax-free loans.
25. Lincoln Financial is a financial services company that provides and manages retirement plans, including 401(k) plans, for employers and their employees. It serves mainly as the administrator, allowing employees to save and invest their income in a tax-advantaged way.
26. McLean Asset Management works with employers to establish and manage 401(k) plans. The company provides investment management, flexible plan administration, fiduciary support, and employee guidance to help meet retirement goals.
27. Merrill Edge offers solo 401(k) and small business 401(k) plans with higher contribution limits, tax-deductible contributions, and access to loans and withdrawals. Employers and individuals can choose from a menu of funds and model portfolios for easy plan management.
28. Milliman administers the Co-op 401(k) Plan, which serves more than 250 cooperatives and 30,000 employees. The 401(k) company manages more than $1 billion in assets. Its plans offer low-cost investment options, online account access, and educational resources for cooperative employees nationwide.
29. Mutual of America’s 401(k) plans feature payroll deduction, tax-deferred growth, and a wide selection of proprietary and non-proprietary investment options. The 401(k) provider also offers online account management, employee financial education, automatic enrollment, and automated compliance tools for employers.
30. Nationwide offers a range of 401(k) plans for employers of all sizes, including small-market and institutional options. Participants can choose from various savings and investment options to support their retirement goals.
Find out which employers have the best 401(k) programs in this article.
31. Paychex is considered among the top 401(k) companies. It provides affordable retirement plans and pooled employer plans for businesses of all sizes. Employers and employees benefit from payroll integration, built-in compliance support, and thousands of investment options through the Paychex Flex dashboard.
32. PCS Retirement offers independent 401(k) recordkeeping with open architecture, automated processing, and full fee disclosure. The platform supports plan benchmarking, participant education, and customized plan solutions for employers and advisors.
33. Principal Financial’s 401(k) plans offer automated payroll deductions, pre-tax contributions, and employer matching to help increase retirement savings. Other standout features include target-date funds, managed accounts, auto-enrollment, and auto-increase options.
34. Raymond James provides profit sharing, SHRM 401(k) solutions, and owner-only options for businesses of all sizes. The firm also offers plan design, regulatory compliance, and employee education.
35. Sentinel delivers 401(k) plan administration and recordkeeping through its TotalChoice platform, allowing plan sponsors to tailor investment options. The platform features managed accounts, payroll integration, and support for various defined contribution plans, including company stock and self-directed brokerage accounts.
36. T. Rowe Price offers individual 401(k) plans for self-employed individuals and small business owners with no setup costs. Participants can access over 100 low-cost mutual funds. The plans also support pre-tax and Roth contributions, profit sharing, and flexible annual contribution amounts.
37. TIAA provides 401(k) plans as a workplace benefit to its clients' eligible employees, with features such as Roth contributions and potential employer contributions. TIAA administers these plans for various employers.
38. Transamerica is among the leading 401(k) companies in the US. It offers plan management and recordkeeping for employers of all sizes. The firm’s services include flexible plan design, fiduciary support, and pooled plan solutions. The company also provides participant education, managed advice, and a broad range of investment options.
39. Vanguard 401(k) plans emphasize low-cost investments, primarily low-cost index funds. Plan features include pre-tax and Roth contributions, flexible plan design for employers, fiduciary support, compliance services, and participant-level investment advice. The Vanguard Retirement Plan Access (VRPA) is designed for businesses, while self-employed individuals can access individual 401(k) offerings.
40. Voya Financial offers the Voya 401(k) Savings Plan with automatic enrollment, 100 percent company match on the first 6 percent of pay, and a range of investment options. The plan’s standout features include immediate eligibility, tax-deferred growth, Roth contributions, loans, hardship withdrawals, and online account management.
401(k) companies play a key role in retirement planning by handling plan administration, recordkeeping, and compliance. They track employee eligibility, process contributions, maintain participant records, and issue required notices. Many providers also share fiduciary responsibility, help select investment options, and ensure plans meet Department of Labor and IRS rules.
The choice of providers can impact retirement outcomes through fees, investment quality, and user experience. Companies with high fees or limited investment options may reduce long-term savings. Seamless payroll integration, employer match features, and helpful customer service make it easier for employees to maximize their retirement benefits.
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