Retirement security is about to take center stage for New York businesses. By the end of 2025, the New York State Secure Choice Savings Program will be live — and that means many employers will need to take action.
If you own or run a business in New York with 10 or more employees and don’t currently offer a retirement plan, this law will apply to you. At Computer Payroll, we believe clarity is power, so let’s break this down into plain English.
What Is Secure Choice?
Secure Choice is New York’s answer to the retirement savings gap. Too many workers don’t have access to a 401(k) or pension. To fix that, the state is rolling out a program where employees are automatically enrolled into a Roth IRA funded through payroll deductions — unless they choose to opt out.
Think of it as a state-facilitated retirement plan that runs parallel to your payroll. Employers don’t contribute, and they don’t manage investments. Your role is to facilitate enrollment and payroll deductions.
Who Does This Impact?
Covered Employers: Businesses with 10+ employees, in operation for at least 2 years, and not already offering a qualified retirement plan.
Employees: Anyone 18 or older working in New York will be automatically enrolled. They can change their contribution rate or opt out at any time.
Self-Employed & Freelancers: Under recent updates, independent workers may also be able to join directly.
How Does It Work?
Here’s the quick rundown:
Default Contribution: 3% of wages (after tax).
Investment Options: Money market for the first 30 days, then a target-date fund or another limited set of investment choices.
Account Type: Roth IRA (portable if the employee changes jobs).
Employer’s Role: Register, upload employee data, set up payroll deductions, and remit contributions. That’s it — you are not a fiduciary and you don’t pay into the plan.
Timeline: Employers will get notice when registration opens. From that point, you’ll have about nine months to get set up.
New York Secure Choice will notify employers required to facilitate the program of their registration deadline as it approaches–but there’s no need to wait.
Eligible employers must register by their applicable deadline:
- Employers with 30 or more employees: March 18, 2026
- Employers with 15 to 29 employees: May 15, 2026
- Employers with 10 to 14 employees: July 15, 2026
If you already offer a qualified retirement plan or have fewer than 10 employees, you can certify your exemption from the program.
Why It Matters
For employees, Secure Choice is a chance to finally build retirement savings automatically. For employers, it’s another compliance box to check — but also a chance to improve your workplace benefits without direct cost.
That said, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Secure Choice has contribution limits and very basic investment options. Growing businesses may decide a 401(k) or other retirement plan is a better long-term move for attracting and retaining talent.
What Employers Should Do Now
Confirm if you’re a covered employer. Do you have 10+ employees, no current plan, and at least 2 years in business? Then this applies.
Watch for official notices. The state will send registration info — don’t ignore it.
Prep your payroll. Make sure your system can handle Roth IRA deductions and opt-out tracking.
Communicate with your team. Employees will have questions — a clear, confident message from leadership makes rollout smoother.
Explore alternatives. Secure Choice may be enough, but if you want higher contribution limits or employer match features, a private plan could serve your business better.
The Computer Payroll Take
At Computer Payroll, we’re rooted in service — and that means making sure our clients never get blindsided by compliance. Secure Choice is coming, and the best move you can make is to prepare early.
If you’re not sure how this program fits into your payroll or your broader HR strategy, we can walk you through the options. Whether you stick with Secure Choice or upgrade to a more robust retirement plan, we’ll make sure your systems and your people are taken care of.
Final Word
By the end of 2025, Secure Choice won’t be optional for covered employers. But handled right, it doesn’t have to be a headache. It’s an opportunity — to show employees you care about their financial future, and to take one more step toward a stronger, more attractive workplace.
👉 Want help navigating New York’s Secure Choice rollout? Contact us today to learn how we can streamline compliance and build a benefits strategy that grows with your business.
