Retirement plans for
small and growing businesses.
401(k), 403(b), and cash balance retirement plan services for Oregon employers and beyond, and the advisors who serve them.
Schedule Free Consult
CEFEX Certified
Sound familiar? Your retirement plan
shouldn't be this hard to manage.
Hidden fees buried in your plan that eat into employee returns
Failed compliance tests that trigger costly corrections and IRS scrutiny
Your TPA takes days to respond and you never talk to the same person
Confusing plan documents that nobody — including your advisor — fully understands
Bundled providers who steer your plan toward their own investment products
Missing out on SECURE 2.0 tax credits because nobody told you they existed
You offer a retirement plan because you care about your team — you shouldn't have to fight your own TPA to make it work.
That's exactly where Independent Retirement comes in.
Free Plan Design Benchmark
Most business owners don't know whether their plan design is costing them more than it should — or leaving tax advantages on the table. Our benchmark compares your current plan against what's possible.
- Side-by-side comparison of your plan vs. optimized alternatives
- Fee analysis: what you're paying vs. flat-fee pricing
- SECURE 2.0 tax credit eligibility assessment
- Safe Harbor conversion analysis (if applicable)
- 30-minute strategy call to walk through findings
Know where your plan stands before it costs you.
The difference between a well-designed plan and a default setup can be tens of thousands in unnecessary fees and missed tax savings. This benchmark shows you exactly where you stand.
Get Your Free BenchmarkA $750 value — free for qualifying businesses.
What We Do
Retirement plan administration
for employers and their partners.
For Employers
Your Plan, Administered Right
Direct service for business owners
- Flat-fee pricing — your cost doesn't grow with plan assets
- Compliance testing & Form 5500 filing
- Plan document drafting & amendments
- Contribution calculations & recordkeeper coordination
Whether you're setting up your first 401(k) or switching from a bundled provider, we handle the compliance and admin so you can focus on your business.
Explore Employer PlansFor Partners
White-Glove TPA for Your Clients
For financial advisors, CPAs & brokers
- No product conflicts — we never compete with you
- Wholesale pricing for advisory firms
- Cash balance & combo plan expertise
- Co-branded reports & client-facing support
Your clients get independent, conflict-free plan administration. You get a TPA who makes you look good and never sells against you.
Explore Partner Services3 Simple Steps
How It Works
From first call to fully administered — here's how we get your plan running right.
Step 01
Select Your Service Plan
Choose the tier that fits your needs — Starter for compliance essentials, Professional for fiduciary oversight, or Premier for full-service administration. No long-term contracts.
Step 02
Design the Plan
We work with you (and your advisor, if you have one) to design or optimize your plan — Safe Harbor, traditional, cash balance, or a combination. We handle the documents, the math, and the compliance.
Step 03
Start Saving
Your plan is live. Employees start building their retirement. You start capturing tax credits. And you never worry about compliance again — we handle it all.
Service Plans
Flat-fee pricing.
No hidden costs. No surprises as your plan grows.
Starter
You manage the plan, we handle compliance
Professional
Full-service plan design and flexibility
Premier
Full fiduciary oversight and HR support
Who We Serve
From first plan to complex multi-plan design,
we administer retirement plans for every stage.
Startups
1–10 employees
Setting up your first plan. We make it simple, compliant, and affordable — often free with SECURE 2.0 tax credits.
Learn moreSmall Businesses
10–100 employees
Outgrowing your bundled provider. We bring flat fees, real compliance expertise, and an assigned client success manager who knows your plan.
Learn moreGrowing Businesses
100+ employees
Complex plan design — Safe Harbor, cash balance combos, new comparability. We handle the math, the documents, and the compliance.
Learn moreInsights & Resources
We don't just administer plans — we help you understand them.
Articles, guides, and presentations to help Oregon businesses make smarter retirement plan decisions.
OregonSaves vs. 401(k): Which Is Right for Your Business?
What Does a 401(k) Really Cost in Oregon?
SECURE 2.0 Tax Credits: What Small Businesses Need to Know
Credentials & Affiliations
FAQ
Common questions about retirement plan administration
What does a TPA do?
A third-party administrator (TPA) handles the compliance, testing, government filings, and plan document work that keeps your retirement plan legal and running. We do the math, file the forms, and make sure your plan passes IRS and DOL requirements every year — so you don't have to.
How much does a 401(k) cost to administer?
Our flat-fee pricing starts at $1,750/year for Starter administration (includes first 10 participants). Professional starts at $2,250/year with flexible plan design and on-demand HR service included. Pricing is tiered by participant count — flat-fee billing to employers with no hidden charges.
What makes Independent Retirement different from other TPAs?
Three things: we publish our pricing (most TPAs don't), we're independent (no product affiliations or investment conflicts), and you get an assigned client success manager who knows your plan — not a call center. We also specialize in Oregon businesses, so we understand OregonSaves compliance and local business needs.
Can I switch TPAs without disrupting my plan?
Yes. We handle the full transition — plan document takeover, data migration, recordkeeper coordination, and participant communication. Most transitions complete in 30–60 days with zero disruption to participants.
What retirement plans do you administer?
We administer Safe Harbor 401(k), Traditional 401(k), Solo 401(k), 403(b), Cash Balance, and New Comparability profit-sharing plans. We also design combo plans (e.g., 401(k) + cash balance) for high-income business owners looking to maximize tax-deferred savings.
Do I qualify for SECURE 2.0 tax credits?
If you have fewer than 50 employees, you may qualify for up to $5,000/year in startup tax credits for the first three years of your plan — potentially covering 100% of your administration costs. We assess your eligibility as part of our free plan design benchmark.