ERISA 403(b)
Even mission-driven employees need a good retirement plan.
Nonprofits have historically been caught between two bad options: large institutional providers who aren’t interested in small plans, and insurance-based products with expensive annuity structures that eat into the returns your employees are counting on.
401GO was built for organizations your size. A modern 403(b) platform that handles ERISA compliance, payroll sync, and plan administration — so your team can focus on the work, not the paperwork.
Why Nonprofits Need a Purpose-Built Solution.
A 403(b) is the retirement plan designed specifically for 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, churches, and other tax-exempt employers. It works similarly to a 401(k): employees contribute pre-tax or Roth dollars, you can offer an employer match, and the savings grow tax-deferred.
The operational challenge isn’t the plan design — it’s the administration. Most small nonprofits don’t have a dedicated HR team or a benefits specialist. They need a provider who handles compliance, keeps up with regulatory changes, and runs the plan with minimal staff involvement. That’s exactly what 401GO is built to do.
What’s included in every 401GO plan
ERISA compliance without a compliance team
401GO handles plan documents, government filings, nondiscrimination testing, and SECURE 2.0 compliance at the platform level. Your team doesn’t need to track regulatory changes across a dozen plan documents. We do it in one system.
Payroll integration that removes manual work
Contribution data, deferral elections, and employee records sync automatically between your payroll system and the plan. No spreadsheets. No dual-entry. No reconciliation errors in next year’s audit. Our True360™ service covers platforms without a native API connection at no added cost.
Investment options that serve your employees well
Our in-house investment lineup offers a broad selection of low-cost funds. If you work with a financial advisor, they can build a custom lineup from thousands of funds through our custodial partner, Matrix Trust. Your employees aren’t limited to a proprietary menu or expensive annuity products.
Dedicated human support
Every plan gets a dedicated human support contact for both the organization and its participants. Not a ticket queue. Not a call center. A real person who knows your plan and can help employees understand their accounts, roll over prior plans, and make informed contribution decisions.
An intuitive experience for mission-driven teams
Your employees chose their work because of the mission. A 403(b) enrollment process that’s confusing or clunky reduces participation — which means less retirement security for the people doing the most important work. 401GO’s participant experience is designed to be the easiest part of their benefits package.
Small nonprofits deserve the same retirement infrastructure as large institutions. 401GO makes that possible without requiring a large-institution budget.
403(b) vs. 401(k): What’s the right choice for your organization?
The honest answer: for most small nonprofits, the practical difference is smaller than it looks on paper. Both plans offer similar contribution limits, tax treatment, and plan design flexibility. The key distinction is eligibility — 403(b)s are available only to qualifying tax-exempt organizations, while 401(k)s are open to any employer.
Some nonprofits choose a 401(k) instead of a 403(b) specifically to access more flexible plan design or investment options. 401GO offers both — and can help you evaluate which structure fits your organization’s goals before you commit to either.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
Honest answers about how the platform works, what it costs, and where it fits.
What types of organizations qualify for a 403(b) plan?
501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public schools and school systems, certain government entities, churches, and cooperative hospital service organizations are all eligible to sponsor 403(b) plans. Private businesses and for-profit companies are not eligible — they use 401(k) plans instead.
Can employees contribute both pre-tax and Roth to a 401(b)?
Yes, if the plan document allows it. Employees can split contributions between traditional pre-tax deferrals (which reduce taxable income now) and Roth deferrals (which grow tax-free for qualified withdrawals). 401GO plans support both options. The combined limit across both is $24,500 in 2026, plus catch-up contributions for eligible employees.
Do we have to offer an employer match?
No. Employer contributions are optional in a 403(b) plan. You can offer a match to improve participation and retention, but it’s not required. Many small nonprofits start with an employee-only plan and add matching contributions as the organization grows.
How is a 403(b) different from the annuity-heavy products many nonprofits have been sold?
Historically, many 403(b) plans for nonprofits and schools were sold by insurance companies as annuity products — which tend to carry higher fees, limited investment options, and surrender charges that make it difficult to switch providers. 401GO is a transparent, platform-based approach with no annuity products. Your employees choose from a genuine fund lineup, and pricing is straightforward.
We're a small organization with fewer than 20 employees. Is this still worth it?
Absolutely. In fact, small nonprofits benefit most from a plan that runs itself — because you don’t have the staff capacity to manage a complicated one. 401GO was built specifically for organizations your size. SECURE 2.0 tax credits can also offset startup costs significantly for qualifying organizations.
Not the right fit?
Explore the full 401GO portfolio.
401GO offers a full range of retirement plan types. If you’re not sure where to start, our team will help you find the right structure for your business size, goals, and budget.
Standard 401(k)
the core offering, built for SMBs
Safe Harbor 401(k)
simplified compliance for employers who want it
Starter 401(k)
for businesses just getting started
Solo 401(k)
for owner-only businesses
ERISA 403(b)
purpose-built for tax-exempt organizations
Traditional IRA
individual retirement access
Cash Balance
for businesses with more complex planning needs
FUTURES BUILT HERE
Your Mission Deserves Employees Who Can Afford to Stay
A retirement benefit is one of the most effective tools for retaining mission-driven employees. 401GO makes it simple enough that your team can focus on the work — not the plan administration.
