New York’s Secure Choice Program: Key Dates for 2026
Registration is now open for New York’s Secure Choice Savings Program, a state-facilitated retirement option designed to expand access to retirement savings for private-sector employees who currently lack a workplace plan. For many business owners, participation will soon be required.
If you operate a business in New York with 10 or more employees and do not offer a retirement plan, this is a compliance item that belongs on your radar now…well before the 2026 deadlines arrive.
Understanding the Secure Choice Program
The Secure Choice Savings Program is a state-administered initiative that allows employees to save for retirement through a Roth IRA funded via automatic payroll deductions. The program was created to address the large number of workers without access to employer-sponsored retirement benefits, and it does so without placing financial or administrative responsibility on employers.
Participation is not about managing a retirement plan - it’s about facilitating access.
Which Businesses Are Required to Register?
Registration is mandatory if your business meets all three of the following criteria:
You employ at least 10 workers
You do not offer a qualified retirement plan, such as a 401(k), 403(b), or SEP IRA
You have operated in New York for at least two years
Employers that already sponsor a qualified retirement plan are not required to participate but must certify their exemption through the Secure Choice portal using their EIN and access code.
Registration Deadlines by Employer Size
New York has established a phased rollout based on company size:
30 or more employees: Register by March 18, 2026
15 to 29 employees: Register by May 15, 2026
10 to 14 employees: Register by July 15, 2026
Missing your deadline could expose your business to penalties, so early planning is strongly recommended.
What Employers Are—and Are Not—Responsible For
One of the most important things for employers to understand is what this program does not require.
You are not responsible for:
Establishing or managing employee retirement accounts
Selecting or overseeing investments
Advising employees on contribution levels or investment decisions
Making employer contributions
Your role is limited to registering for the program, setting up payroll deductions, and notifying employees about the benefit. The state handles the rest.
Why Secure Choice Can Still Benefit Employers
Even without employer contributions, Secure Choice offers tangible value. It allows businesses to provide a meaningful benefit at no cost, helping level the playing field when competing for talent. The program is simple to administer, carries no fiduciary liability, and gives employees a portable retirement account they can keep if they change jobs.
For many small and mid-sized businesses, it’s a low-friction way to support employee financial wellness.
What Employees Can Expect
Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in a Roth IRA unless they opt out. Contributions are deducted directly from paychecks, and participants can change their contribution rate, adjust investment selections, or re-enroll at any time.
Additional program details and FAQs are available through the state’s Secure Choice website.
Preparing Now Makes Compliance Easier
If your business may be subject to Secure Choice requirements, now is the time to act. Review your current retirement offerings to determine whether you’re exempt, note your registration deadline, and begin familiarizing yourself with the Secure Choice portal.
Addressing this early allows business owners to stay compliant without disruption, and avoid unnecessary stress as deadlines approach.