Let's get started.
This is your step-by-step guide to getting started and facilitating the Illinois Secure Choice program. Before you begin a step, review the support information to help you meet your requirements.
Register Business or Report Exemption Request Access Code LEARN MORE: JOIN A WEBINAR Introduction to Secure Choice Can’t attend? Watch a recording
STEP 1
Determine mandate status;
Register or Request Exemption
State mandate
Employers must register with Illinois Secure Choice if they do not offer a qualified retirement plan, had five or more Illinois employees in the previous calendar year, and have been in business for at least two years.
Complete your registration
To register you will need your company’s Federal Employer Identification (EIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN) and your Illinois Secure Choice access code. Your access code can be found in your welcome notification, or you can request one and have it emailed to you. The access code will be sent to the individual listed as the primary contact with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDoR).
Exempt from the Program?
If you believe that your company is exempt from the Illinois Secure Choice mandate, please submit your exemption reason and supporting documentation. Depending on your exemption reason, you may still need to register while your submission is reviewed.
Log in to Add Employee Information Download the Employee Information Template LEARN MORE: JOIN A WEBINAR Add Employee Information
STEP 2
Add employee information
Within 30 days of registration, you will upload your roster of eligible employees so that we can contact them to either customize their account and make a savings election, or notify them of what actions to take if they choose to opt out of the program.
You can add information by file upload using our pre-formatted template, manual entry, or, if you rely on external vendor support (provided by a payroll company or use of a payroll application), initiate that connection. Once you upload your employee roster, each employee will have 30 days to customize their account or opt out of the program before payroll contributions should begin.
Employee Enrollment Window
After your employee information is added, your employees will be sent an invitation to set up their account. Each employee will then have 30 days to customize their account or opt out. If they do not take action after 30 days, they will be automatically enrolled in Illinois Secure Choice with the default 5% contribution rate and investment option. Employees can opt out at any time, even after they are automatically enrolled.
There are no required actions for you during this period. However, we recommend employers take a few proactive steps – creating a deduction line item in your payroll software, review how to submit employee contributions or contact a payroll provider, if you rely on one - to be ready for when it’s time to submit contributions.
Communicate with employees
Now is a good time to begin communicating with your employees. You can download a communication to inform your employees that your company is joining Illinois Secure Choice. You can also find additional information and resources to share in many languages here.
Log in to Submit Contributions Download the Employee Contribution Template LEARN MORE: JOIN A WEBINAR SUBMITTING CONTRIBUTIONS
STEP 3
Submit employee contributions
With the first pay date that occurs 30 days after you upload your employee information, you will need to send your first contributions for participating employees. Information can be entered either manually by using an online form or in bulk using the Employee Contribution Information Template.
Contributions should be sent within 7 days of taking the money out of your employees’ paychecks.
STEP 4
Ongoing responsibilities
On an ongoing basis, you are responsible for keeping your account up-to-date. This includes updating employee contribution rates with your payroll software/provider, adding new employees as they become eligible, marking employees as inactive when they leave or are terminated, and processing payroll contributions for participating employees.
As employees make changes – like changing their savings rate or opting out – notifications will be posted in the employer portal and sent to you by e-mail prior to each pay period so that you can adjust the payroll deduction.