Employer requirements
None — participation is voluntary.
Voluntary program
Does Missouri Have a Retirement Mandate? What Employers Need to Know
Missouri Workplace Retirement Savings Plan (Show-Me MyRetirement Plan)
Missouri has no state retirement mandate. The Missouri Workplace Retirement Savings Plan is a voluntary, state-facilitated multiple-employer 401(k); eligible employers may elect to participate, and there are no employer noncompliance penalties.
The Program
How the Missouri Workplace Retirement Savings Plan works
Missouri is not a state-mandated retirement program state — no employer is required to act. The Missouri Workplace Retirement Savings Plan (Show-Me MyRetirement Plan) is a voluntary, state-facilitated multiple-employer 401(k) plan established under HB 1732. Eligible employers may voluntarily elect to participate; per the enabling legislation there are no employer noncompliance penalties.
Because participation is optional, the question for Missouri employers is which route serves the business best: joining the state multiple-employer plan, or sponsoring a plan of your own with full control over design, vesting, and employer contributions. Employers with staff in mandate states should weigh that too — a single plan can satisfy several states' requirements at once.
At A Glance
The Missouri mandate at a glance
Registration deadlines
Not applicable — voluntary, no registration requirement or deadline.
Covered employers
Not applicable — participation is entirely voluntary.
Penalties / enforcement
None. Per the enabling legislation, there are no employer noncompliance penalties — participation is entirely voluntary.
The Requirements
What Missouri employers should know
Employee eligibility
Auto-enrollment for eligible employees 18+, with opt-out available, for employers that choose to participate.
Exemptions
Not applicable — no mandate exists to be exempt from.
Penalties and enforcement
None. Per the enabling legislation, there are no employer noncompliance penalties — participation is entirely voluntary.
Your Options
Qualifying retirement plan alternatives in Missouri
Missouri employers can sponsor any qualified retirement plan on their own timeline; the state MEP is one voluntary option among many.
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.
Common Questions
Missouri mandate FAQs
Does Missouri require employers to offer a retirement plan?
No. Missouri has no state retirement mandate. No employer is required to act, and there are no noncompliance penalties.
What is the Missouri Workplace Retirement Savings Plan?
Also called the Show-Me MyRetirement Plan, it is a voluntary, state-facilitated multiple-employer 401(k) plan established under HB 1732. Eligible employers may elect to participate.
Is the Missouri plan a 401(k) or an IRA?
A 401(k) u2014 an open multiple-employer plan rather than the payroll-deduction IRA most states use. It provides auto-enrollment for eligible employees 18 and older, with opt-out available.
Are there penalties for Missouri employers without a plan?
No. Per the enabling legislation there are no employer noncompliance penalties, because participation is entirely voluntary.
Should Missouri employers still offer a retirement plan?
Many do, for recruiting and retention and for owner tax planning. Missouri employers can join the state multiple-employer plan or sponsor their own 401(k), Safe Harbor, SEP, or SIMPLE plan.
We have employees in Missouri and other states u2014 what should we check?
Whether those other states mandate coverage. A single employer-sponsored plan can satisfy multiple states' requirements at once.
Talk It Through
Not sure how the Missouri mandate applies to you?
Leading Retirement Solutions designs and administers plans that satisfy state mandates. Talk through your requirements with a consultant before your deadline.
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.