Remember when WeWork revolutionized the workplace by turning boring office buildings into vibrant communities? Well, Castle Rock PEP is doing the exact same thing for 401(k)s. And honestly, it's about time.
Think of it this way: traditional 401(k)s are like eating dinner alone at home every night: functional, sure, but pretty lonely. Castle Rock PEP? That's like joining the neighborhood block party where everyone brings something to share, and somehow your plate ends up fuller than you ever imagined.
Here's the thing nobody talks about: retirement planning is isolating. Your employees log into their accounts, see some numbers, maybe adjust a contribution percentage, and log out feeling confused and alone. Sound familiar?
Castle Rock PEP flips that script entirely. When your business joins our Pooled Employer Plan, your employees don't just get a retirement account: they become part of something bigger. They join a thriving community where financial wellness meets actual human connection.
Shared Resources, Individual Benefits
Just like WeWork members shared premium amenities they couldn't afford alone, Castle Rock PEP participants access institutional-quality investment options and professional guidance typically reserved for Fortune 500 companies. Your 15-person marketing firm gets the same investment firepower as a 500-person corporation.
Community Programming That Actually Matters
We don't just talk about community: we live it. Participants get access to live feeds of local Castle Rock events, from Boots and Brews gatherings to actual cattle drives through downtown. (Yes, really. Where else can your employees watch cattle navigate Main Street while checking their 401(k) balance?)
Real People, Real Support
Unlike those robotic customer service experiences, Castle Rock PEP connects your employees with actual humans who care about their financial future. Think of us as that helpful neighbor who actually knows how to fix things.
Here's where things get really exciting. Starting January 1st, 2026, Castle Rock PEP launches its first-ever Community Challenge. This isn't your typical "increase your contribution by 1%" snooze-fest.
We're talking about a community-wide initiative that makes financial wellness engaging, competitive, and: dare we say: fun. Participants can connect, compete, and celebrate wins together. Because let's be honest: achieving your retirement goals feels a lot more doable when you're not doing it alone.
Higher Contribution Limits
While state-mandated IRAs cap contributions at a measly $7,000 annually, Castle Rock PEP participants can contribute up to $23,000. For employees 50 and older, catch-up contributions add another $7,500. That's not just more money saved: that's life-changing retirement security.
Professional Investment Management
Your employees get access to investment options selected and monitored by experienced professionals. No more wondering if that target-date fund is actually working for them. We've got their backs.
Free Financial Planning Tools
Every participant receives complimentary access to financial planning software and individual investment advice. That's democratizing wealth-building resources that used to cost thousands of dollars.
Accessibility for Everyone
Through our partnership with ReciteMe, we've created an inclusive online experience with accessibility and language options. Because financial wellness should be available to everyone, period.
Traditional 401(k)s isolate your employees in several frustrating ways:
Limited Investment Choices: Small plan participants often get stuck with mediocre investment options and high fees. It's like being forced to shop at the overpriced corner store when Costco is right down the street.
No Community Support: Employees navigate complex financial decisions solo, often making costly mistakes that could easily be avoided with proper guidance.
Administrative Headaches: Your HR team spends countless hours on compliance and administration instead of focusing on what actually helps your business grow.
Higher Costs: Small plans can't negotiate the institutional pricing that larger plans enjoy, meaning your employees pay more for less.
When your employees join Castle Rock PEP, something magical happens. They stop seeing retirement planning as a chore and start viewing it as part of their community identity. They engage more, save more, and actually understand what they're saving for.
Peer Learning: Employees learn from each other's experiences and strategies in a supportive environment.
Shared Accountability: It's harder to ignore your 401(k) when your colleagues are actively engaged in their financial wellness.
Collective Bargaining Power: Together, participants access investment options and fees typically reserved for much larger organizations.
Ongoing Education: Regular community events and resources keep financial wellness top-of-mind without feeling overwhelming.
Joining Castle Rock PEP isn't just good for your employees: it's smart business. Here's why:
Reduced Fiduciary Liability: We handle the heavy compliance lifting, so you can focus on running your business instead of worrying about retirement plan regulations.
Tax Credits Up to $16,500: Eligible small businesses can claim substantial tax credits for startup costs, automatic enrollment features, and employer contributions.
Simplified Administration: One plan, one contact, one streamlined process. Your HR team will thank you.
Employee Retention: Quality benefits attract and keep good people. In today's competitive job market, that's not optional: it's essential.
Ready to give your employees the WeWork treatment for their 401(k)? The onboarding process is surprisingly straightforward. We handle the complex stuff while you focus on what you do best.
Your employees deserve more than a lonely retirement plan that collects dust. They deserve a community that celebrates their financial wins, supports them through challenges, and makes the journey to retirement security feel less like a solo marathon and more like a neighborhood fun run.
Think of Castle Rock PEP as the difference between working from your kitchen table and joining a vibrant co-working space. Both might get the job done, but only one builds lasting relationships and creates an experience worth talking about.
The Community Challenge starts January 1st, 2026, and honestly, your employees don't want to miss it. Because retirement planning is a lot more fun when you're not doing it alone.
Ready to join today? Your employees: and your future self: will thank you.