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Independent Retirement

Know your cost in 60 seconds.

Flat-fee plan administration pricing — independent of your recordkeeper. Your cost is based on service tier and participant count, not plan assets.

Independent — we choose the best recordkeeper for you Portland, OR — serving plans nationwide 3(16) fiduciary available CEFEX Certified CEFEX Certified

Choose your service level

Every tier includes a dedicated client success manager. Pricing adjusts based on plan size.

10
$0

Starter

Core compliance and administration
$2,400
$200/month
10 participants
  • 1:1 guided implementation
  • Assigned client success manager
  • Annual compliance testing
  • Form 5500 signature-ready
  • Contribution calculations
  • IRS/DOL audit support & representation
  • Email & phone support
Get Started Have questions? Schedule a call →
Most Popular

Professional

Full-service plan design and flexibility
$3,000
$250/month
10 participants
  • Everything in Starter, plus:
  • Plan documents & amendments
  • Flexible plan design & custom eligibility
  • Tax credit filing assistance
  • Annual plan design review
  • On-demand HR service
Get Started Have questions? Schedule a call →

Premier

Full fiduciary oversight and HR support
Request a quote
Custom pricing
Tailored to your plan
  • Everything in Professional, plus:
  • 3(16) administrative fiduciary
  • Employee handbook update & maintenance
  • Satisfaction guarantee
Request a Quote Have questions? Schedule a call →
Recordkeeping fees are separate. We work with multiple vetted recordkeeping platforms and will recommend the best fit based on your plan size, features, and budget. Typical recordkeeping fees range from $2–$8 per participant per month depending on the platform. We'll provide a complete cost picture during your kickoff call.
Why our fees are lower than you'd expect

Certain recordkeeping platforms pay Independent Retirement a service reimbursement for administrative work we perform on their behalf — work that reduces the platform's own operating costs. This is a standard industry arrangement, and we're disclosing it here rather than burying it in your service agreement.

How it benefits you: Because we receive this revenue, we can publish lower plan administration fees than we otherwise would. You don't receive the reimbursement directly — instead, the savings are already built into the pricing above.

This reimbursement is typically 5 basis points (0.05%) of plan assets per year. As your plan grows, this subsidy increases — keeping your administration costs lower over time. Not all recordkeeping platforms pay this — the actual amount depends on which platform your plan uses and may be zero.

If you work with a financial advisor through our wholesale channel, your advisor may negotiate for a portion of this reimbursement to be applied as a credit toward your billed fees.

Pricing is based on the employee or participant count and plan assets provided above. Independent Retirement reserves the right to adjust the monthly administration fee if actual plan demographics differ materially from the estimates entered.

Self-employed with no employees? A Solo 401(k) lets you save up to $70,000/year with simpler, lower-cost administration.
See Solo 401(k) pricing

Compare what's included

Every tier includes a 1:1 guided implementation and an assigned client success manager. Here's the full breakdown.

Starter Professional Premier
Pricing2 items
Starting price (annual, 2 to 20 participants)$2,400$3,000Custom
Pricing modelTiered by participant countTiered by participant countRequest a quote
Core Administration10 features
1:1 guided implementation✓✓✓
Assigned client success manager✓✓✓
Plan documents & amendments—✓✓
Annual compliance testing (ADP/ACP, top-heavy, coverage)✓✓✓
Form 5500 signature-ready✓✓✓
TPA participant notices✓✓✓
Contribution calculations✓✓✓
Ongoing recordkeeper coordination✓✓✓
Recordkeeper platform selection & vetting✓✓✓
Participant withdrawals✓✓✓
Fiduciary & Compliance5 features
3(16) administrative fiduciary——✓
Discretionary plan corrections✓✓✓
IRS/DOL audit support✓✓✓
IRS representation✓✓✓
Tax credit filing assistance—✓✓
Plan Design & Flexibility6 features
Flexible plan design (auto-enroll, safe harbor, profit sharing)—✓✓
Safe harbor plan options✓✓✓
Custom eligibility criteria—✓✓
Flexible vesting schedules—✓✓
Discretionary contribution formulas—✓✓
Student loan retirement match—✓✓
Service & Support5 features
Email support✓✓✓
Phone support✓✓✓
Payroll integration management✓✓✓
Annual plan design review—✓✓
Satisfaction guarantee✓✓✓
HR2 features
On-demand HR service—✓✓
Employee handbook update & maintenance——✓

How to get started

Three steps. No paperwork upfront. We guide you through everything.

1

Schedule a kickoff call

A 30-minute conversation to understand your business, plan goals, and employee headcount. We'll recommend a tier and walk you through next steps.

2

We design your plan

We recommend a recordkeeping platform from our vetted partners, draft your plan document, and handle the IRS paperwork. You review and sign — typically under an hour of your time.

3

Your plan goes live

Employees receive enrollment invitations and payroll contributions begin. Your assigned client success manager is available from day one.

SECURE 2.0

Tax Credit Calculator

By starting or maintaining a qualified retirement plan with auto-enrollment, your business may be eligible to earn tax credits over a three-year period under the SECURE Act 2.0.

$16,500

Estimated 5-year tax credit potential

See your potential savings

Plans older than 5 years may not qualify. But you may still be eligible for a $500 auto-enrollment credit.

Includes match and any profit-sharing. Credit is capped at $1,000 per eligible employee.

$1,000

Federal + state combined. Used to show pre-tax income equivalent.

25%

From signed agreement to active plan in 30 days.

Most plan sponsors spend less than 3 hours on their end during onboarding. We select the right recordkeeping platform, handle the paperwork, and flag the decisions that actually need you.

30
Days typical onboarding
<3 hrs
Your time required
1
Dedicated point of contact
Onboarding timeline Inde handles We do together You provide
1

We learn about your business, existing plan structure (if any), and design goals. You make a handful of key decisions — we document everything.

You 30-min kickoff call with your administrator
You Provide census data — employee names, dates, compensation
IR Draft plan design summary for your review
IR Recommend best-fit recordkeeping platform based on plan size and needs
2

We draft your IRS-compliant plan document based on the agreed design. No action needed from you during this phase.

IR Draft adoption agreement and plan document
IR Coordinate with recordkeeper on plan setup
IR Prepare participant enrollment materials
3

You review and sign the plan documents. We walk you through anything that needs your attention — typically under an hour.

IR Send documents with plain-language summary
You Review and execute plan documents (~45 min)
IR File with recordkeeper and confirm activation
4

Participants receive enrollment invitations. Payroll contributions begin on your next cycle. Your administrator is available for any questions from day one.

IR Distribute participant enrollment notices
IR Confirm first contribution cycle with payroll
You Introduce plan to employees (we provide a template)
What People Say

Real results, real reviews.

★★★★★
5 average from client reviews
★★★★★

"I’ve worked with Independent Retirement for three years, and they’ve been an invaluable partner—not just in servicing plans, but in growing my business. Their team is proactive, responsive, and always willing to collaborate on prospecting opportunities. Whether it’s helping with plan design discussions, attending finalist meetings, or providing compliance expertise, they add real value that helps us win and retain clients. They don’t just handle the technical side—they’re invested in our success. If you’re looking for a TPA that’s more than a service provider but a true business development partner, I can’t recommend them enough."

Clay Cooper, CFP
Wealth Management Advisor and Partner at Clearview Financial Partners
★★★★★

"I’ve worked with Independent Retirement for years, and they’ve been a rock-solid partner every step of the way. Their team is incredibly responsive—when a client has a question or a challenge, they jump in with clear, practical solutions. Their deep expertise in ERISA and compliance helps our clients stay on track and avoid issues. But what really sets them apart is their partnership mindset—they’re not just a vendor; they’re a true extension of our team. If you need a TPA that delivers both service and strategy, I highly recommend them."

Charles Warren, AIF
Senior Plan Consultant at Multnomah Group, Inc.
★★★★★

"After working with Independent Retirement for over a decade, I can confidently say they are the most reliable, responsive, and knowledgeable TPA I’ve ever partnered with. The trust we’ve built over the years comes from their unmatched support—when a client issue arises, their team responds faster and with more clarity than anyone else in the industry. Having a dedicated sales consultant has been a game-changer, ensuring we always have direct access to strategic guidance and plan solutions. Their commitment to service and expertise gives me confidence that my clients are in the best hands, every time."

Zack Blalack
Financial Adviser and Managing Partner at Falcon Ridge Wealth Management

Already have a TPA? Switching is straightforward.

✓

We request your existing plan documents directly from your current TPA

You authorize the transfer — we handle the follow-up

✓

No plan year disruption — we time transitions to avoid mid-year complications

Most switches complete before your next compliance testing cycle

✓

Historical records preserved and accessible

Prior year 5500s, test results, and plan amendments all transferred

—

You do not need to notify participants of a TPA change

TPA is an administrative function — no participant disclosure required

Common questions

That's actually the most common scenario — and one of the reasons clients choose us. We've vetted multiple recordkeeping platforms and will recommend the best fit based on your plan size, participant count, and the features that matter to you. Because we're independent and not affiliated with any single recordkeeper, our recommendation is based entirely on what works best for your plan — not our bottom line. Recordkeeping fees are separate from our administration fees and are quoted transparently during your kickoff call.
Bundled pricing hides what you're actually paying for each service — and it locks you into one provider. By separating our administration fees from recordkeeping costs, you can see exactly what you're paying us versus what you're paying the platform. It also means if you ever want to switch recordkeepers, you can do that without changing your TPA or renegotiating your administration agreement.
Census data is a list of your employees with basic information: name, date of birth, hire date, and compensation. If you use a payroll provider like Gusto, ADP, or Paychex, they can generate this report in minutes. We'll walk you through it.
Absolutely. We're a TPA, not an investment advisor. Your financial advisor continues to manage investments. We handle plan design, compliance testing, and administration. Many advisors prefer working with an independent TPA like us because there's no channel conflict.
We handle year-end compliance automatically: nondiscrimination testing, Form 5500 preparation, participant notices, and contribution true-ups. You'll receive a plan health report summarizing everything. No surprises.

Ready to get started?

30 Minutes No Commitment Transparent Pricing
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