New Online Employer Experience

Starting on May 25, 2022, we will begin launching the new Illinois Secure Choice employer portal. Designed with input from Illinois employers, the new experience will better support you as you manage your Secure Choice activities. Learn more

Employers

Facilitating Secure Choice Resources Payroll Providers Events

Savers

GET STARTED HERE

Designed with you in mind

Illinois Secure Choice is a simple and convenient retirement savings program for employers who do not already offer a plan. Research shows that employees are more productive when they have less finance-related stress.1 They are also 15 times more likely to save for retirement if an option is available at work.2


We know your primary responsibility is to keep your business running smoothly, so Illinois Secure Choice simplifies your role and limits your responsibilities. It can also help you attract and retain talent.

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Easy facilitation

Employers serve a limited role: facilitate the program by adding and maintaining your employee roster and submitting contributions via simple payroll deduction.

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No financial implications

There are no employer fees and employers do not make contributions to employee accounts.

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Ongoing support

You have access to a support team, tips, and templates so that you can focus on running your business.

Just a few simple steps

By law, eligible employers must register and facilitate program activities by specific deadlines. Setting up your account is quick and easy. After completing these steps for the first time, you'll maintain your account by adding and removing employees and submitting payroll deductions each pay period.

DETERMINE
ELIGIBILITY

Not all employers are eligible. Only employers who do not sponsor a retirement plan and have 5 or more eligible employees must join Illinois Secure Choice.

REGISTER
YOUR COMPANY

Registering takes just few minutes. You will need your company’s Federal Employer Identification Number or Tax Identification Number (EIN/TIN) and your Illinois Secure Choice Access Code.

ADD YOUR
EMPLOYEES

When you register, you’ll submit information for each eligible employee. This will begin the process of having a Roth IRA set up in each employee’s name. Employees will then have 30 days to decide to participate or opt out. If they do not make a selection, they will be automatically enrolled in the program.

SUBMIT
CONTRIBUTIONS

After you add employee information, you’ll begin facilitating payroll deductions each payroll period through bank transfer. These payroll deductions will be added to the employee’s Roth IRA account and invested according to their selections.

Employers are not responsible for answering questions about the program, managing investment options, processing distributions, or giving investment/tax advice. Your employees will maintain their account directly through the Illinois Secure Choice program.

Employer registration deadlines

State law now requires every employer with five or more Illinois employees to offer their own retirement program or facilitate Illinois Secure Choice. Program deadlines are based on employer size, but there is no need to wait - you can register with the program today! Employers who do not meet their required deadlines may be subject to enforcement, including financial penalties.*

25+

employees

DEADLINE PASSED

Register today to avoid
financial penalties.

16-24

employees

NOVEMBER 1, 2022

Registration is open

5-15

employees

NOVEMBER 1, 2023

Registration is open

REGISTER OR REPORT EXEMPTION

*Employers who do not comply with the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act will be subject to fines and penalties as described in 820 ILCS 80/85 . Enforcement for noncompliant employers will begin in 2022.

 
 

ILLINOIS SECURE CHOICE SAVINGS PROGRAM ACT

Illinois Secure Choice was established by the Illinois State Legislature to address the growing retirement savings gap that will occur for many residents in the future. You can read the legislation here.

 

Simple and trusted way to save for retirement

Illinois Secure Choice is a state-facilitated retirement program that makes it easy to save for retirement. Since it was launched in 2018, the program has brought retirement savings access to workers in every county across Illinois.

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  • Employees will be auto-enrolled after 30 days if they do not opt out and will begin saving through payroll contributions facilitated by you as their employer.
  • Employees can opt out and back in at any time
  • The saver will have a Roth IRA (after-tax contributions) set up in their name. (Savers can recharacterize to a Traditional IRA.)
  • The default savings rate is 5% of gross pay. Savers can change their rate at any time.
  • Their account is portable. It stays with them even if they leave your workplace.

START FACILITATING

Get started with facilitating Illinois Secure Choice.

Get Started

FAQ SPOTLIGHT

What is the timeline for the program implementation?

The program began in May 2018 with a small pilot group of employers. The program has gone through its initial waves for larger employers with 25 or more employees and will roll out to additional employers starting in 2022. Employers who do not comply with the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act may be subject to fines and penalties as described in 820 ILCS 80/85. The registration deadlines for employers based on employer size is outlined below:

  • An employer employing 500 or more employees: 11/1/2018
  • An employer employing 100 to 499 employees: 7/1/2019
  • An employer employing 25 to 99 employees: 11/1/2019
  • An employer employing 16 to 24 employees: 11/1/2022
  • An employer employing 5 to 15 employees: 11/1/2023

For more information on definitions of employer, employee, and employment, and number of employees, please see the administrative rules associated with the program.

Can my company join the program before its required registration date?

Yes. Required registration dates are ‘comply by’ dates. Employers may initiate contact with Illinois Secure Choice to begin facilitating the program or to indicate their exemption.

There may be some restrictions on employers who do not wish to use the Illinois Secure Choice website or other forms of electronic submission.

Is there a penalty for businesses for failing to comply with the mandate?

Yes. Any business that employs 5 or more Illinois employees, has been in business for more than 2 years, and does not offer an employer-sponsored retirement plan will be required to facilitate the Illinois Secure Choice program for its employees. The goal is to make the process simple, clear, and easy. During each employer registration phase, the State will monitor compliance, reach out to employers, and provide technical assistance to help them meet deadlines and requirements. Employers who do not comply with the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Program Act may be subject to fines and penalties as described in 820 ILCS 80/85. Enforcement for noncompliant employers will begin in 2022.

How will I know when I have to register for the program and enroll my employees?

The employer registration timeline is available on this website. The account administrator will notify employers of the date(s) they may begin registration and start enrolling their employees and when that process must be completed. The account administrator will also provide employers with access to an online portal to register for the Program and facilitate enrollment of their employees.

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