--- title: Blog description: Explore the differences between Pooled Employer Plans and state-mandated Auto-IRAs, including contribution limits, tax credits, and investment options. image: https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/Castle%20Rock%20PEP%20Logo.png --- [Skip to content](https://castlerockpep.com/blog#main-content) ![Castle Rock Logo](https://castlerockpep.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Castle%20Rock%20Logo%202026-1.png?width=1536&height=1024&name=Castle%20Rock%20Logo%202026-1.png) - [Home](https://castlerockpep.com/) - [About Us](https://castlerockpep.com/about) Show submenu for About Us - [Community Page](https://castlerockpep.com/community) - [Blog](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom) - [Contact Us](https://castlerockpep.com/contact-us) - [Pooled Employer Plan](https://castlerockpep.com/pooled-employer-plan-1) Show submenu for Pooled Employer Plan - [Investment Options](https://castlerockpep.com/investments) - [Pricing](https://castlerockpep.com/pricing-new) - [Plan Design Choices](https://castlerockpep.com/plandesigns) - [Who We Serve](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve) Show submenu for Who We Serve - [Colorado Businesses](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve/colorado-businesses) - [Women-Owned Businesses](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve/women-owned-businesses) - [Fiduciary Tool Belt](https://castlerockpep.com/-fiduciary-tool-belt) Show submenu for Fiduciary Tool Belt - [ERISA Plan Governance](https://castlerockpep.com/erisa-plan-governance) - [ERISA Fiduciary Training](https://castlerockpep.com/fiduciary-training) - [Regulators and Audits](https://castlerockpep.com/regulators-and-audits) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://castlerockpep.com/) - [About Us](https://castlerockpep.com/about) Show submenu for About Us - [Community Page](https://castlerockpep.com/community) - [Blog](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom) - [Contact Us](https://castlerockpep.com/contact-us) - [Pooled Employer Plan](https://castlerockpep.com/pooled-employer-plan-1) Show submenu for Pooled Employer Plan - [Investment Options](https://castlerockpep.com/investments) - [Pricing](https://castlerockpep.com/pricing-new) - [Plan Design Choices](https://castlerockpep.com/plandesigns) - [Who We Serve](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve) Show submenu for Who We Serve - [Colorado Businesses](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve/colorado-businesses) - [Women-Owned Businesses](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve/women-owned-businesses) - [Fiduciary Tool Belt](https://castlerockpep.com/-fiduciary-tool-belt) Show submenu for Fiduciary Tool Belt - [ERISA Plan Governance](https://castlerockpep.com/erisa-plan-governance) - [ERISA Fiduciary Training](https://castlerockpep.com/fiduciary-training) - [Regulators and Audits](https://castlerockpep.com/regulators-and-audits) - [Join the PEP](https://castlerockpep.com/join-castle-rock-pep) [Join the PEP](https://castlerockpep.com/join-castle-rock-pep?hsLang=en) # ***Simplifying retirement for all. One plan. Every business.*** [Pooled Employer Plan](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/tag/pooled-employer-plan?hsLang=en), [Castle Rock PEP](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/tag/castle-rock-pep?hsLang=en), [Women Business Owners](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/tag/women-business-owners?hsLang=en) ## [Community Spotlight: Ronia Grillos Brings Handcrafted Leather Hats to Castle Rock Artfest](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/community-spotlight-ronia-grillos-brings-handcrafted-leather-hats-to-castle-rock-artfest?hsLang=en) [Michele Suriano](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/author/michele-suriano?hsLang=en) Sep 11, 2026, 10:23:41 AM Community Spotlight: Ronia Grillos Brings Handcrafted Leather Hats to Castle Rock Artfest This... [Read more](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/community-spotlight-ronia-grillos-brings-handcrafted-leather-hats-to-castle-rock-artfest?hsLang=en) ## [Switching 401(k) Providers Feels Overwhelming?](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/switching-401k-providers-feels-overwhelming?hsLang=en) [Michele Suriano](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/author/michele-suriano?hsLang=en) Sep 4, 2026, 9:42:17 AM Switching 401(k) Providers Feels Overwhelming? Here's What a 15-Minute PEP Onboarding Actually... [Read more](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom/switching-401k-providers-feels-overwhelming?hsLang=en) ## Pooled Employer Plan vs. State Auto IRA | **Trait** | **Castle Rock PEP** | **State Auto IRA** | | --- | --- | --- | | Investment Options | Professionally Managed | Government Selected | | Employer Match | Employer Option | None! | | 2025 Employee Contribution Limits | $23,500 | $7,000 | | Pretax and Roth Contributions | Both Pretax and Roth | Roth | | Annual Limit Employee + Employer | $70,000 | $7,000 | | Age 50+ Catch-up Contribution | $7,500 | $1,000 | | "Super"Catch-up for Age 60-63 | $3,750 | None! | | Employer Contribution Tax Credits | [up to $1,000 per employee](https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/March%202024%20Files/IRS%20Form%208881.pdf?hsLang=en) | None! |   # Did you receive a letter from your state? [Colorado SecureSavings Letter](https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/March%202024%20Files/Colorado%20SecureSavings%20Letter%20May%202023.pdf?hsLang=en) ## Featured posts [facebook-f icon](https://www.facebook.com/CastleRockInvestment/) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/castle-rock-investment-company/) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/castlerockpep/) [Follow us on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@CastleRockPEP) --- - [Home](https://castlerockpep.com) - [About Us](https://castlerockpep.com/about) - [Community Page](https://castlerockpep.com/community) - [Blog](https://castlerockpep.com/water-cooler-wisdom) - [Contact Us](https://castlerockpep.com/contact-us) - [Pooled Employer Plan](https://castlerockpep.com/pooled-employer-plan-1) - [Investment Options](https://castlerockpep.com/investments) - [Pricing](https://castlerockpep.com/pricing-new) - [Plan Design Choices](https://castlerockpep.com/plandesigns) - [Who We Serve](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve) - [Colorado Businesses](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve/colorado-businesses) - [Women-Owned Businesses](https://castlerockpep.com/who-we-serve/women-owned-businesses) - [Fiduciary Tool Belt](https://castlerockpep.com/-fiduciary-tool-belt) - [ERISA Plan Governance](https://castlerockpep.com/erisa-plan-governance) - [ERISA Fiduciary Training](https://castlerockpep.com/fiduciary-training) - [Regulators and Audits](https://castlerockpep.com/regulators-and-audits) Copyright © 2026, Castle Rock Investment Company 115 Wilcox Street, Suite 220, Castle Rock, CO 80104 720.608.5894 Castle Rock Investment Company is registered as an Investment Adviser in the State of Colorado, in addition to any other states requiring registration when otherwise not exempt. [Castle Rock Investment Company's Legal Disclosures: ADV Part 2 A/B, Appendix 1, and Privacy Policy](https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/Annual%20Legal%20Disclosures%202026%20ADV%20Part%202A%20B%20Appendix%201%20and%20Privacy%20Policy.pdf?hsLang=en) [Accessibility Statement](https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/March%202024%20Files/Accessibility%20Statement%20for%20Castle%20Rock%20PEP.pdf?hsLang=en) ![WOB\_Certified\_WBENC\_color](https://castlerockpep.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WOB_Certified_WBENC_color.png?width=174&height=98&name=WOB_Certified_WBENC_color.png "WOB_Certified_WBENC_color")