SMALL BUSINESS 401(K)
Ascensus Essentials 401(k) Plan
A retirement plan is one of the most powerful benefits a small business can offer. Ascensus Essentials 401(k) is a low‑cost solution for small businesses, with built‑in support for plan administration and investment decisions.
Ascensus Essentials 401(k) plan features
Managing a retirement plan takes time and resources. Ascensus Essentials 401(k) includes support to help handle administration, investments, and ongoing plan responsibilities.
Plan features include:
Low cost, value-focused plan design
Financial wellness program
Plan health reporting
Compliance testing
Roth 401(k) contributions available
View the full list of plan design features and options available, download the Plan Sponsors Overview.
Professional investment oversight, built in
Ascensus Essentials 401(k) includes professional help managing your plan’s investments. A dedicated investment manager helps simplify investment decisions and provide ongoing support for the plan.
This support is provided by Newport Group Consulting, a national investment manager.*
Are you currently working with a financial advisor?
Ascensus Essentials 401(k) investments with an advisor
If you work with a financial advisor, they can help you select an investment approach that fits your plan goals.
Ascensus Essentials 401(k) passive lineup
Uses funds that are passively managed and are designed to track a benchmark to keep overall investment costs lower.
Hybrid lineup
Combines market‑tracking funds with professionally managed funds, offering a mix of investment approaches.
25 Basis Points Lineup
The Ascensus Essentials 401(k) 25 basis point lineup is for businesses working with an advisor that prefer to use compensation-based lineups consisting of both passively managed and active funds with a professional portfolio manager
50 Basis Points Lineup
The Ascensus Essentials 401(k) 50 basis point lineup is for businesses working with an advisor that prefer to use compensation-based lineups consisting of both passively managed and active funds with a professional portfolio manager
Ascensus Essentials 401(k) investments without an advisor
If you do not work with a financial advisor, the plan offers professionally managed investment options to support your goals.
Ascensus Essentials 401(k) passive lineup
Uses funds that are passively managed and are designed to track a benchmark to keep overall investment costs lower.
Ascensus Essentials 401(k) hybrid lineup
Combines market‑tracking funds with professionally managed funds, offering a mix of investment approaches.
Ascensus Essentials 401(k) plan pricing
Designed for small businesses that want a cost-effective and simple 401(k) solution backed by reliable support.
*Fees are shown in annual terms but are deducted monthly.
As of 07/15/2026
Pricing subject to change.
Employer base fee
$150 per month
One-time costs
Implementation Fee | $500
Employee fees
Monthly Recordkeeping | $7.50/participant
Annual Investment Fiduciary* | 0.25%
Annual Custodial and Trading* | 0.07%
Ascensus Essentials 401(k) participant pricing example
The participant pricing examples below are for illustrative purposes only to demonstrate how the asset-based employee fees listed above would translate into deductions from a participant's account.
Account Balance | Recordkeeping feeds | Custodial & trading fees | Investment fiduciary fees | Total Cost** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$10k | $7.50/Month | $0.58/Month | $2.08/Month | $10.16/month |
$25k | $7.50/Month | $1.46/Month | $5.21/Month | $14.17/Month |
$50k | $7.50/Month | $2.92/Month | $10.42/Month | $20.84/Month |
Small business 401(k) tax credits
Offering a 401(k) may come with tax advantages for your business:
Employer contributions may be tax deductible
up to applicable limits
Eligible small businesses may qualify for tax credits
to help offset plan startup costs for up to three years.
Automatic enrollment may qualify for an additional tax credit
for the first three years
Business owners who work for the company can participate in the plan
and access the same tax benefits as employees
How to set up an Ascensus Essentials 401(k)
Our retirement specialists can help you determine if a 401(k) plan is the right fit for your business. Complete the form or call 833-893-3233. For existing plan service, call 833-892-8878.
Are you an employer with more than 75 employees? Explore 401(k) plans with added flexibility.
Explore additional small business solutions:
Ascensus Essentials 401(k) and Raymond James
SEP and SIMPLE IRA plans
Individual(k) plan options
SEP IRA featuring Vanguard funds
SIMPLE IRA featuring Vanguard funds
*Investment fiduciary services are provided by Newport Group Consulting, LLC, an SEC‑registered investment adviser.
**Total cost doesn’t include the investment expenses or any applicable financial advisor service fees. The total cost amount doesn’t represent any specific participant. The actual calculations are determined by an individual's account balance.
Disclaimer: Before adopting any plan, you should carefully consider all of the benefits, risks, and costs associated with a plan. Information regarding retirement plans is general and is not intended as legal or tax advice. Retirement plans are complex, and the federal and state laws or regulations on which they are based vary for each type of plan and are subject to change. In addition, some products, investment vehicles, and services may not be available or appropriate in all workplace retirement plans. Plan sponsors and plan administrators should seek the advice of legal counsel or a tax professional to address their specific situations.