Active mandate
Oregon Retirement Plan Mandate: Requirements for Employers
OregonSaves
OregonSaves — the first state auto-IRA program in the nation — applies to all Oregon employers with one or more employees that do not offer a qualified retirement plan. Every registration deadline has passed, so any covered employer that has not registered should act immediately.
How the OregonSaves program works
OregonSaves launched in 2017 as the first state auto-IRA program in the country, and it remains one of the broadest: every Oregon employer with one or more employees that does not offer a qualified retirement plan is covered. There is no small-employer carve-out.
All registration deadlines have passed, including the final tier for employers with one or more employees. That means Oregon compliance today is binary — a covered employer is either registered (or exempt) or out of compliance. Employers offering a qualified plan must certify their exemption with the program every three years, so exemption status is not a one-time filing either.
Enrolled employees are placed in a Roth IRA at a 5% default contribution rate that automatically escalates to 10%. Employers facilitate payroll deductions but cannot contribute to OregonSaves accounts. Non-compliance carries a penalty of $100 per affected employee, capped at $5,000 per calendar year.
For Oregon businesses that want matching contributions, higher limits, or more control over investments and plan design, an employer-sponsored plan satisfies the mandate — and the three-year exemption certification keeps it that way.
The Oregon mandate at a glance
Registration deadlines
All registration deadlines have passed, including the final 1+ employee tier. Unregistered covered employers should register or certify their exemption immediately.
Covered employers
All Oregon employers with 1 or more employees that do not offer a qualified retirement plan.
Penalties / enforcement
$100 per affected employee, capped at $5,000 per calendar year.
Who must comply in Oregon — and what is required
Employer requirements
Register with OregonSaves and facilitate payroll deductions for enrolled employees, or certify an exemption if you offer a qualified plan. Exemption certifications must be renewed every three years.
Employee eligibility
Eligible employees are enrolled automatically unless they opt out; enrollment is administered through the OregonSaves program.
Exemptions
Employers offering a qualified retirement plan — the exemption must be certified with the program every three years.
Penalties and enforcement
$100 per affected employee, capped at $5,000 per calendar year.
Qualifying retirement plan alternatives in Oregon
Employers that sponsor a qualified retirement plan — such as a 401(k), Safe Harbor 401(k), 403(b), SEP, or SIMPLE — satisfy the OregonSaves requirement by certifying their exemption every three years. An employer-sponsored plan adds matching, higher contribution limits, and design control the state IRA does not provide.
Start a new 401(k)
Design a plan around your workforce — matching, Roth options, vesting, and federal startup tax credits.
Start a new planUpgrade an existing plan
Confirm your current plan qualifies, then tune its design so the mandate works in your favor.
Upgrade my company’s planFull plan administration
LRS handles compliance testing, filings, and day-to-day administration so the plan stays qualified.
Plan administration servicesRead more about state-approved qualifying retirement plans.
Oregon mandate FAQs
Is OregonSaves mandatory for small businesses?
Yes. OregonSaves applies to all Oregon employers with one or more employees that do not offer a qualified retirement plan u2014 there is no minimum-size exemption. All registration deadlines, including the final 1+ employee tier, have passed.
We never registered. What should we do?
Register or certify your exemption immediately. Because every deadline has passed, an unregistered covered employer is out of compliance and exposed to penalties of $100 per affected employee, capped at $5,000 per calendar year.
We have a 401(k). Do we need to do anything for OregonSaves?
Yes u2014 employers offering a qualified plan must certify their exemption with OregonSaves, and the certification must be renewed every three years. Calendar the renewal so the exemption never lapses.
What does OregonSaves look like for employees?
Employees are automatically enrolled in a Roth IRA at a 5% contribution rate that escalates automatically to 10%, unless they opt out. Employers facilitate the payroll deduction but do not contribute.
Can we replace OregonSaves with our own plan later?
Yes. Adopting a qualified employer-sponsored plan at any point lets you certify an exemption u2014 many Oregon employers move to a 401(k) when they want matching contributions or higher limits. LRS can manage the transition.
Source and review information
- Official program source: oregonsaves.com (opens in a new tab)
- Last reviewed July 2026 by the LRS compliance team. High confidence
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This page is provided for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Program details change; confirm requirements with the official state program or your advisors.