Employer Retirement Plan Setup
Understand and configure an available employer retirement account such as a 401(k), 403(b), or TSP.
What Employer Retirement Plan Setup gets you.
By the end of this upgrade you will have your employer retirement account (401(k), 403(b), or TSP) fully configured with an intentional contribution rate and investment allocation.
- Employer plan enrollment portal login
- Plan summary document or summary plan description
- Recent pay stub
- Beneficiary information
Run the upgrade.
- 01
Confirm plan eligibility and enrollment status
Check whether you are already enrolled and, if not, complete enrollment through your employer's portal or HR.
- 02
Review the plan's fee structure and investment menu
Read the summary plan description to identify available fund options and any administrative or fund-level fees.
- 03
Set your contribution rate
Choose a contribution percentage of each paycheck, factoring in at minimum any amount needed to capture a full employer match.
- 04
Choose Roth or pre-tax contributions if offered
Decide between pre-tax and Roth contribution types based on your current versus expected future tax situation.
- 05
Select an investment allocation
Choose a diversified allocation from the available fund menu appropriate to your time horizon, such as a target-date fund if you prefer a single-fund option.
- 06
Set your beneficiary designation
Add or update primary and contingent beneficiaries on the account as part of setup.
- 07
Confirm the first contribution posts correctly
Check your next pay stub and account statement to verify the contribution amount and allocation were applied as chosen.
- You are actively enrolled with a chosen contribution rate
- Contribution type (pre-tax or Roth) is intentionally selected
- Funds are allocated to a diversified, chosen investment lineup
- Beneficiary designation is set
- First contribution has been confirmed on a statement
Annually
- Increase contribution rate with raises
- Re-check allocation as retirement date approaches
- Confirm plan fees or fund menu have not changed
Contribution limits and tax treatment for employer retirement plans change and vary by plan type — verify current figures with your plan administrator or the IRS.