--- title: PEP Onboarding | Castle Rock PEP description: Explore our onboarding guide to understand plan fundamentals, design options, and compliance. Start your transition to Castle Rock's 401(k) solution with a simple online intake. image: https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/Castle%20Rock%20Logo%202026-1.png --- [Skip to content](https://castlerockpep.com/join-castle-rock-pep#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) ## [Onboarding Reference Guide](https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/Castle%20Rock%20PEP%20Onboarding%20Guide-1.pdf?hsLang=en) Six topics, straight from the onboarding reference guide — jump to whichever matters most to you, or come with your own questions. ### [Topic 1 Plan Fundamentals What a PEP is, the fiduciary roles, why Castle Rock, and the 2026 contribution limits.](https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/Castle%20Rock%20PEP%20Onboarding%20Guide-1.pdf?hsLang=en#page=3) ### [Topic 2 Costs & Tax Credits Fixed and asset-based fees, tax credits available to employers, and cost/credit estimators.](https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/Castle%20Rock%20PEP%20Onboarding%20Guide-1.pdf?hsLang=en#page=11) ### [Topic 3 Plan Design Options Automatic features every design includes, and the three default safe harbor formulas.](https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/Castle%20Rock%20PEP%20Onboarding%20Guide-1.pdf?hsLang=en#page=17) ### [Topic 4 Investments & the QDIA Who selects and monitors the 26-fund lineup, and the default if an employee doesn't choose.](https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/Castle%20Rock%20PEP%20Onboarding%20Guide-1.pdf?hsLang=en#page=22) ### [Topic 5 Getting Started Three short online steps around one meeting. We pre-fill your paperwork, so you only fill in the gaps.](https://share.hsforms.com/11-anSDFfR76_P0MOPCnmMQpzhqk) ### [Topic 6 Compliance & Switching In What comes off your plate entirely, and what happens converting an existing 401(k).](https://castlerockpep.com/hubfs/Castle%20Rock%20PEP%20Onboarding%20Guide-1.pdf?hsLang=en#page=41) # [Book a free consultation](https://castlerockpep.com/meetings/michele-suriano/castle-rock-pep-consultation?hsLang=en) ## Estimate Your Cost Enter your business's participant count and current retirement plan assets for an estimate of your annual Castle Rock PEP fees. Estimate only. Does not include investment expense ratios or individual transaction fees (loans, distributions, QDROs, etc.). | Number of employees / participants | Current retirement plan assets ($) | | --- | --- | Calculate Reset ### Estimated Annual Cost $0 | Fixed Administration Fee (0 × $0) | $0 | | --- | --- | | Asset-Based Fee (0%) | $0 | | Payroll Integrations Fee | $250 | Estimate only, based on figures you entered. Does not include investment expense ratios (charged by individual funds) or one-time individual transaction fees. Confirm exact pricing with your PEP Talk consultant. Want these results for your records? | | Email Me These Results | | --- | --- | ## What Adopting Employers Get Side-by-Sidecost comparison vs. your current plan $250annual Payroll Integrations fee 3default safe harbor plan designs 26institutional-class fund options 3-Stepsimple online intake, no paperwork upfront ### Why Castle Rock? Independent and woman-owned (WBENC-certified), founded 2006. Acts as a 3(38) discretionary investment manager with a written fiduciary acknowledgment under ERISA — personalized advice and free financial planning software for every participant, from a founder who has run a small business herself. What's the fastest way to get started? Complete Step 1 online. Before we meet, tell us about any current plan in Step 2; after the meeting, Step 3 covers owners, signers and a few yes/no questions. We pre-fill your paperwork from your answers and public filings, so you only fill in the gaps. We already have a 401(k) — how do we convert it? You choose a transition date, your existing plan is typically terminated or merged, and assets move via a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer — participants aren't taxed on the move, and balances and prior vesting service typically carry over. Do we lose control over plan design? No — you still choose your contribution formula, eligibility terms, and vesting. Castle Rock and Slavic401k share the fiduciary liability and take on the compliance work, not your plan design decisions. ## Start Your Onboarding Start the online intake at our [Step 1 form](https://share.hsforms.com/11-anSDFfR76_P0MOPCnmMQpzhqk). Step 2 comes before our meeting and Step 3 after it — we pre-fill the rest of your paperwork. [Start Here →](https://share.hsforms.com/11-anSDFfR76_P0MOPCnmMQpzhqk) Don't hesitate to schedule a meeting if you want assistance. 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[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")