Sync your Empower 401(k) plan with Gusto

You’ll need to authorize your Empower 401(k) app to kick off the testing process in Gusto. Follow these steps:

1. Sign in to your Gusto admin account.
2. Go to the App directory.
3. Search and select Empower 401(k).
4. Click Learn more.
5. Review the terms and associated costs. If you’re in agreement, click Get started.
6. You'll be prompted to enter the following information:
   
   • Plan name and ID
     • Note that the Empower 401(k) integration does not support 403(b)s, SEP IRAs, or Simple IRAs.
   • Your company contribution scheme (if applicable)
   • Who should be eligible or excluded from the plan
   • Whether your plan allows for loans, and if so, whether you have any currently active.
7. Notify your Client Service Manager at Empower to start the process to add 360 with Gusto via Pay(k)onnect.
   • Client Service Manager contact information is listed in the Empower Plan Service Center: Sign in, then look on the left side of the home page or under Contacts.
8. Audit your deductions in Gusto to make sure they reflect all current enrollments in your 401(k) account. Any incorrect deductions at the time of turning on the automation are the responsibility of the company admin and will be maintained after your automation goes live. We cannot start the testing process until your deductions are fully up-to-date.
   • If you have not set up 401(k) deductions in Gusto, click here for steps to set up and manage deductions.  Manual 401(k) deductions should be set up initially, which will later be used when turning on 360 automation with Empower.

Testing process

Once you authorize your Empower app in Gusto, Gusto will begin the testing process with Empower, which can take up to 3 months to complete. After onboarding your plan in Gusto, you’ll see the initial timeline for testing with Empower and other next steps. 

Once the automation begins, here's how the sync works and when to make updates in Gusto vs. Empower.

Payroll files

Gusto will send payroll files one day after the check date. Please allow at least one additional day for this to be reflected in your Empower account. 

Deferral changes 

Employee enrollments and deferral changes must be made in Empower 401(k) accounts and will then be synced automatically back from Empower to Gusto within a week. If you note that an employee deferral is not accurately reflected in Gusto, please contact us at 401kimplementation@gusto.com. 

Here's how to review your employees' current deferral amounts:

1. Sign in to your Gusto admin account.
2. Go to the Benefits section.
3. Choose the Empower 401(k) tile.
4. Click the Employees tab.
5. Review the deferral amounts listed in Gusto. Make sure they match your current employee deferral rates as listed in your Empower 401(k) account.

Not that this does not include company contributions. If applicable, company contributions are applied at the time of running payroll.

Census changes

All employee hires, dismissals, name and address changes must take place in Gusto and will then sync over to Empower on the next payroll file. Please allow at least two days after the pay date for these to be reflected in your Empower account, although sometimes it may take longer.

Update employee eligibility

Here's where to manage your employees' eligibility:

• New hires: You’ll note new employee 401(k) eligibility when onboarding an employee.
• Update current employees: You can update an existing employee’s eligibility status in their employee profile—go to their Work tab, then look under "401(k) eligibility status."

Eligibility statuses

Qualified or May Qualify Someday: Use this status for any employee who has qualified for the 401(k) plan or may qualify in the future. If an employee is eligible but has opted out of the plan, they should still be marked as Qualifies or may qualify someday. 

Excluded from plan: This status should only be used if an employee is excluded from participating in the 401(k) plan based on your plan specifications and will never be eligible to participate.

Questions about your 401(k) plan

Employers: Contact Empower at 877-694-4015.

Employees: Contact Empower at 855-756-4738.

Questions about the syncing of your Empower and Gusto accounts

Email 401kimplementation@gusto.com.