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Want to Join Castle Rock PEP?

We’re excited to meet with you via Zoom to explore how to serve your team’s needs. Here’s some helpful information to guide our conversation.

Did You Miss the 2026 Onboarding Paperwork Party?

Read about what you missed

The deadline to submit your documents to join Castle Rock PEP for the 2026 plan year is September 15th. Don't miss out on all the benefits of joining our Community for the upcoming year.

This isn't just a retirement plan. When you join Castle Rock PEP, you get:

  • Personalized investment advice
  • Free financial planning software
  • Community spotlights to promote your business
  • Human support--from a firm led by a woman who's been advising workplace retirement plans for over two decades
Deadline to submit paperwork to onboard for the 2026 plan year is September 15th, 2025.

Two Paths to Join Castle Rock PEP

1. Fill Out the Paperwork Listed Here and Upload through its Secure Portal

2. Follow the online prompts here using code CRP401k

We are here to assist you in selecting a plan to help you attract and retain the talent you need.

Choose one of our three most popular safe harbor plan designs. 

All three plans automatically enroll employees after three months of service with a 3% savings rate that increases 1% each year up to 10%. Employees can opt out at any time.

The Employer chooses the contribution amount:

  1. 3% contribution to everyone with immediate vesting

  2. 3.5% to savers as a match with up to two years vesting

    • 100% Match on first 1%, 50% Match on next 5%
    • Employee saves 6%, then Employer contributes 3.5%
  3. 4% to savers as a match with immediate vesting

    • 100% Match on first 4%
    • Employee saves 4%, then Employer contributes 4%
    What to learn more? Check out this Blog post about Safe Harbor plans.
Deadline to submit paperwork to onboard for the 2026 plan year is September 15th, 2025.

Common Safe Harbor Plan Designs

Below is a chart of common safe harbor plan designs.

 

Employer Contribution

Vesting

Recipients

Automatic Enrollment

Qualified Automatic Contribution Arrangement

3.5% Match

Up to 2 yrs.

Savers

Required

Qualified Automatic Contribution Arrangement Nonelective

3%

Up to 2 yrs.

Eligible employees

Required

Safe Haror Match

4% Match

Immediate

Savers

Required

Safe Harbor Nonelective

3%

Immediate

Eligible employees

Required

Enhanced Safe Harbor Match

4% Match or More

Immediate

Savers

Required

Enhanced Safe Harbor Nonelective

3% or more

Immediate

Eligible employees

Required

 

Remember:

  • Employer contributions are not required
  • Automatic enrollment is required for new plans
  • Avoid state-mandated retirement plans and fines

Are You an HCE and Why Would You Care?

Who qualifies as a Highly Compensated Employee (HCE)?
 

According to IRS guidelines, an HCE typically falls into one of three categories:

1) anyone who owns more than 5% of the company

2) family members of someone who owns more than 5% (including spouse, parents, children, or grandparents), or

3) employees who earned more than $155,000 in the previous calendar year (2024 limit; this amount is subject to annual IRS cost-of-living adjustments). 

The IRS requires 401(k) plans to undergo several compliance—or “nondiscrimination”—tests each year. These tests ensure that all employees, regardless of their compensation level, are treated fairly by the plan. 

Safe harbor plans provide a streamlined path to compliance. By following specific rules on employer contributions, vesting schedules, and employee notifications, safe harbor plans automatically satisfy the IRS’s nondiscrimination testing requirements.

Built for every business

No business too large or too small.

Quick setup

Get started today with the online plan setup or schedule a PEP talk if you have questions.

Easy to use

We take care of the investments and administration for you.

Customizable

Each business chooses their own plan design.

Our values

Transparency. Honesty. Trust. Creative Solutions.

This is what you can expect when you work with Castle Rock Investment Company.

We believe

You always come first. You will always know what you are paying for when you trust us with your finances. No hidden fees. No commissions.