Integrate with Guideline

Gusto partners with Guideline to offer a fully integrated 401(k) solution. With this integration, contributions automatically sync with payroll, and both employers and employees can access 401(k) dashboards within Gusto. Learn more about pricing and plan options on Guideline's website.

Note: State requirements for offering a 401(k) vary by state. Contact Guideline for more information about setting up a compliant plan.

If your company already offers a 401(k) through another provider, you have two options:

Set up a Guideline 401(k) plan

You must have Full Access admin permissions in Gusto to set up the integration. 

  1. Sign in to your Gusto admin account.
  2. Go to the Benefits tab.
  3. Under "Financial Health," click Traditional or Roth 401(k)
  4. Select Guideline 401(k). You will be redirected to Guideline's website, where you can either set up a new plan or transfer your existing plan to Guideline. 

The new 401(k) benefit will appear in the Benefits section of your Gusto admin account after the plan's start date. Once the plan starts, you can view enrollment and contribution data in Gusto. You may see limited information before your plan’s start date. 

Important: Employee elections will sync to Gusto a few days before your plan's first check date. Contact Guideline if you have questions about this timeline

FAQs

Q: Does Guideline support CalSavers, OregonSaves, etc.?

A: Guideline offers plans in these states that satisfy state requirements. Guideline plans offer several advantages over state plans (support for Safe Harbor, higher contribution limits, lower participant fees, etc.). Contact Guideline to learn more.

Q: Can I set up flat dollar amount contributions?

A: Guideline allows flat dollar amount contributions only for plans without a company match. Contact Guideline to activate dollar amount contributions.

Q: Can I change an employee’s deductions on a past payroll?

A: No. Once an employee has received their pay, deductions cannot be retroactively changed.

Q: Can employees make 401(k) contributions for prior years?

A: No. See this resource for more information.

Q: If I enter Guideline 401(k) benefits on a non-Gusto payroll, will Guideline debit my account?

A: In most cases, yes. If you are entering a non-Gusto payroll with Guideline contributions that do not need to be debited, contact Guideline before processing the non-Gusto payroll.

Q: Why was my employee’s paycheck missing 401(k) benefits?

A: See "Troubleshoot missing payroll deductions" for more information.

Q: I have a question about a notification in my Guideline portal. Who should I contact?

A: Contact Guideline for more information. 

Q: I have a question about an employee’s enrollment or election synced to Gusto. Who should I contact?

A: Contact Guideline for more information. 

Q: I have a question about plan funds. Who should I contact?

A: Contact Guideline to discuss plan funds or debits for plan funds.

Need more help?

Gusto and Guideline work together to help you manage your plan. Here’s how Gusto and Guideline can help.

When to contact Gusto 

Contact Gusto for questions about:

  • 401(k) calculations on payroll
  • Why 401k deductions were not applied
  • Payroll corrections with Guideline 401(k)

Examples:

  • “How was my employee’s 401k deduction calculated?”
  • “Why weren’t there deductions on my employee’s check?”
  • “My employee was overpaid and I need to reverse their payroll.”

When to contact Guideline

Contact Guideline for questions about:

  • Your 401k plan
  • Syncing benefits to Gusto
  • Plan funds, including debits
  • Employee eligibility
  • Changes to your 401k plan

Examples:

  •  “When does our plan begin?”
  • “Our company set up a new Guideline plan. When can I expect our benefits to reflect in Gusto?”
  • “My employee enrolled but their benefits have not synced to Gusto yet. When will their benefits sync?”
  • “My employee updated their elections in Guideline. When will the new amounts sync to Gusto?”'
  • “Why was I debited this amount for 401k funds?”
  • “When can my new hire enroll?”
  • “We would like to update the employer match” 

How to contact Guideline

Admins: Contact Guideline directly at [email protected] or call (888)-228-3491, extension 2.

Employees: Email [email protected] or call (888)-344-5188.