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401k

Build Your Future with FrankCrum 401(k) Plans

Offering a 401(k) plan can seem complex and costly for growing businesses, but it doesn’t have to be. FrankCrum helps employers provide competitive retirement benefits without the administrative burden by delivering a simplified Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) that includes premium investment options, full compliance support, and access to valuable tax credits, all integrated seamlessly with payroll and HR services.

  • Start a 401(k) plan with guidance on accessing available federal tax credits
  • Multiple Employer Plan reduces administrative burden and compliance risk
  • Premium investment options from Vanguard, Fidelity, BlackRock, and more
  • Full transparency—no hidden fees in investment returns
Get Help with 401(k) Plans

The Business Case for Offering a 401(k) 

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State Mandated Penalties

Several states, including California, Oregon, Illinois, and Connecticut, already require employers to offer retirement plans, and more are following. Getting ahead of the mandate means avoiding penalties and last-minute compliance scrambles.

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Missed Tax Savings

The SECURE 2.0 Act created significant tax credits for eligible small businesses, up to $76,500 over five years. Every year without a plan is a year of savings left on the table.

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Lower Employee Retention

Employees who can't save for retirement are more likely to look elsewhere. High turnover is costly, not just in recruiting expenses, but in lost productivity and institutional knowledge.

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Competitive Disadvantage

Large employers have long used 401(k) plans to attract and keep top talent. A FrankCrum retirement plan puts those same benefits within reach for growing businesses.

How FrankCrum Simplifies
401(k) Administration

Setting up and managing a 401(k) plan can feel overwhelming. That's why we partnered with Slavic 401K to handle the heavy lifting. As your PEO, FrankCrum serves as the plan sponsor and administrator, meaning we take on the compliance and administrative tasks that typically burden small business owners.

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Enrollment Processing

We manage employee enrollment, deferral changes, and loan repayments directly through payroll.

Employer Contributions

If you choose to match employee contributions, we calculate and remit them automatically. (Matching is optional.)

Contribution Remittance

Employee deferrals and employer contributions are submitted with census data for seamless processing.

Distributions and Loans

We sign off on distributions and loans, ensuring compliance and proper handling.

ERISA Compliance

We provide ERISA bond coverage and oversee annual audits by independent firms.

Regulatory Filings

Form 5500 preparation and filing, non-discrimination testing, and all required government reporting are handled.

Employee Communications

We manage mandated communications about legislative updates and plan changes so employees stay informed.

Maximize Tax Savings with SECURE 2.0

The SECURE 2.0 Act created valuable tax incentives to help eligible small businesses lower the cost of starting and offering a 401(k) plan. These credits can significantly reduce both your initial setup expenses and the ongoing cost of employer contributions.

Available Tax Credits

  • Startup Tax Credits
  • Auto-Enrollment Tax Credit
  • Employer Contribution Credits
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Real Savings Example

Let's see SECURE 2.0 in action. Imagine a company with 20 employees and an average annual salary of $50,000.

Their Potential Tax Benefit over 5 Years: $76,500

Slavic 401K provides expert assistance on form completion to help you claim these credits. These incentives significantly offset the cost of establishing and maintaining a retirement plan, making it more affordable than ever for small businesses.

Year Startup Credit Auto Enroll Credit Contribution Credit Total Credit
Year 1 $5,000 $500 $20,000 $25,500
Year 2 N/A $500 $20,000 $20,500
Year 3 N/A $500 $15,000 $15,500
Year 4 N/A N/A $10,000 $10,000
Year 5 N/A N/A $5,000 $5,000
Total $5,000 $1,500 $70,000 $76,500
401(k) tax credit breakdown by year
Year 1
Startup Credit$5,000
Auto Enroll Credit$500
Contribution Credit$20,000
Total Credit$25,500
Year 2
Startup CreditN/A
Auto Enroll Credit$500
Contribution Credit$20,000
Total Credit$20,500
Year 3
Startup CreditN/A
Auto Enroll Credit$500
Contribution Credit$15,000
Total Credit$15,500
Year 4
Startup CreditN/A
Auto Enroll CreditN/A
Contribution Credit$10,000
Total Credit$10,000
Year 5
Startup CreditN/A
Auto Enroll CreditN/A
Contribution Credit$5,000
Total Credit$5,000
Total (Years 1–5)
Startup Credit$5,000
Auto Enroll Credit$1,500
Contribution Credit$70,000
Total Credit$76,500

This example is provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax advisor regarding your specific situation and eligibility for tax credits and deductions. 

Premium Investment Options with Complete Transparency

Your employees deserve access to quality investments. Our partnership with Slavic 401K provides an open architecture platform featuring no-load mutual funds from industry-leading providers.

Investment Features

Top Fund Families: Vanguard, Fidelity, Invesco, BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and T. Rowe Price

Highly Rated by Morningstar: Funds are carefully selected based on performance, ratings, and cost efficiency.

Daily Valuation and Online Access: Employees can check balances, make changes, and view performance anytime through a secure online portal and mobile access.

Email Express: Participant account balances are emailed every week for easy tracking.

Investment Advice: Participants can actually speak to a financial advisor, not just rely on automated tools.

Pre-Allocated Portfolios: Optional managed portfolios (risk-based or bespoke) make investing easy for participants who prefer a hands-off approach for an additional 0.35% annually.

Absolute Fee Transparency

Unlike many 401(k) providers that hide fees in investment returns, we believe in complete transparency.

  • Mutual funds purchased at NAV (no-load) from an open architecture family of funds
  • Participant servicing fees disclosed as a line item on statements—not hidden in investment returns
  • 12b-1 fees paid to Slavic 401K are credited back to individual participants who own the fund, ensuring absolute objectivity in fund recommendations

This transparency ensures that your employees' retirement savings grow without being eroded by unnecessary hidden fees.

How a 401(k) Plan Fits into FrankCrum's PEO Model

As a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), FrankCrum becomes your co-employer, handling HR, payroll, benefits, workers' comp, and compliance. Adding a 401(k) plan through FrankCrum creates seamless integration with your existing services.

FrankCrum Advantages:

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Automatic Payroll Deductions: Employee deferrals are automatically deducted through your regular payroll processing with no separate system to manage.

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Single Point of Contact: Your FrankCrum team coordinates everything-payroll, benefits enrollment, and 401(k) administration. No juggling multiple vendors.

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Simplified Onboarding: New employees are enrolled in benefits and the 401(k) plan at the same time through our streamlined onboarding process.

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Compliance Protection: We handle all compliance requirements for the 401(k) plan, just like we do for payroll taxes, workers' comp, and benefits administration.


This integration means less hassle, fewer vendors to manage, and a more cohesive employee experience.

Get Started with
FrankCrum 401(k) Plans

Offer the retirement benefits your employees expect while taking advantage of valuable tax savings through SECURE 2.0.

We'll evaluate your specific situation, explain available tax credits, and provide transparent pricing based on your company size and employee count.

Request Your Custom Quote Today

Or call us at 800-277-1620 to speak with a FrankCrum representative.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum participation requirement for your 401(k) plan?

There is no minimum participation requirement.

How long does it take to set up a 401(k) plan?

Typically, 30-60 days from signing the agreement to going live. We handle all the paperwork, plan design consultation, and employee education. Your main responsibility is communicating the benefit to your team.

What happens if an employee leaves the company?

Departing employees can roll their 401(k) balance into another qualified retirement account (like an IRA or a new employer's 401(k)), leave the funds in the plan if their balance exceeds certain thresholds, or request a distribution. We handle all termination paperwork and distribution processing.

How do I claim the SECURE 2.0 tax credits?

Slavic 401K provides expert assistance on completing the required tax forms (Form 8881 for startup credits and Form 8881 for employer contribution credits). We'll guide you through the process to ensure you capture every dollar of available credits. Your tax advisor will incorporate these credits when filing your business taxes.

What's the difference between a Multiple Employer Plan and a Single Employer Plan?

A Multiple Employer Plan (MEP), like FrankCrum's, pools multiple small businesses into a master plan. This reduces administrative costs, spreads fiduciary liability, and simplifies compliance. With a MEP, FrankCrum serves as the plan sponsor and handles Form 5500 filing, non-discrimination testing, and all regulatory requirements. Single Employer Plans put all these responsibilities directly on your shoulders.

Can I customize the plan design to fit my business?

Yes. We offer plan design consultation to tailor eligibility requirements, vesting schedules, employer match structures, and auto-enrollment features to your specific needs and budget. Whether you want immediate eligibility or a waiting period, we'll configure the plan to align with your business strategy.