Calendar-year plans | High-level reference only — does not constitute legal or tax advice.
January
|
Date |
Deadline |
What You Need to Do |
How Betterment Helps |
|
Feb 2 |
Submit 2025 Census & Compliance Questionnaires |
Log into your Plan Sponsor Dashboard, complete all compliance questionnaires, and upload your full 2025 census in Compliance Hub. |
Uses your data to run ADP/ACP and top-heavy testing, and to power downstream filings. |
March
|
Date |
Deadline |
What You Need to Do |
How Betterment Helps |
|
Mar 16 |
ADP/ACP Correction |
Review proposed corrections from Betterment, approve them, and fund any corrective contributions in time to settle by this date. |
Runs non-discrimination tests |
April
|
Date |
Deadline |
What You Need to Do |
How Betterment Helps |
|
Apr 1 |
First RMDs for Eligible 2025 Retirees |
Ensure any non-Betterment employer plans have also handled their RMD obligations. |
Tracks RMD eligibility and processes RMDs for participants invested on the platform. |
|
Apr 15 |
Correct 2025 Excess Deferrals (402(g)) |
Identify excess deferrals via payroll and submit corrective refund requests to Betterment well ahead of this date. |
Processes corrective refunds from the plan once requests are submitted. |
June
|
Date |
Deadline |
What You Need to Do |
How Betterment Helps |
|
Jun 30 |
ADP/ACP Correction Deadline (EACA plans) |
Approve and fund any corrective contributions flagged by Betterment testing. |
Flags ADP/ACP failures for EACA plans and outlines required corrections. |
July
|
Date |
Deadline |
What You Need to Do |
How Betterment Helps |
|
Jul 31 |
Form 5500 Due (2025 Plan Year) |
Review the prepared package, sign it, and electronically file by this date (or by Oct 15 if extended). |
Prepares a signature-ready Form 5500 package with all supporting schedules. Automatically files a Form 5558 extension if needed. |
September
|
Date |
Deadline |
What You Need to Do |
How Betterment Helps |
|
Sep 30 |
Summary Annual Report (SAR) to Participants |
Distribute the SAR to all participants and beneficiaries electronically or in paper. |
Provides the SAR content based on your Form 5500 filing. |
October
|
Date |
Deadline |
What You Need to Do |
How Betterment Helps |
|
Oct 2–Dec 1 |
Annual Notices Window (Safe Harbor, QDIA, Auto-Enrollment for 2027) |
Ensure all eligible employees receive their notices by December 1 — electronically or in paper. |
Prepares and sends annual Safe Harbor, QDIA, and auto-enrollment notice packages to you, typically by early December. |
|
Oct 15 |
Extended Form 5500 Deadline |
File your extended Form 5500 and adopt any retroactive plan amendments needed to correct coverage or nondiscrimination failures. |
Provides the completed 5500 package for your review and signature. |
November
|
Date |
Deadline |
What You Need to Do |
How Betterment Helps |
|
Nov 2 |
Notify Betterment of 2027 Safe Harbor Election |
If your plan wants to amend to Safe Harbor status for 2027, notify Betterment by this date so there's enough time to prepare and deliver required notices before the December 1 deadline. |
Prepares the Safe Harbor plan amendment and annual notices once you confirm your election. |
December
|
Date |
Deadline |
What You Need to Do |
How Betterment Helps |
|
Dec 1 |
Final Day for 2027 Annual Notices & Safe Harbor Elections |
Confirm all eligible participants have received their notices. Elect Safe Harbor status for 2026 if applicable. |
Sends the annual notice package to you; handles notice preparation and content. |
|
Dec 15 |
SAR Due (if Form 5500 was Extended) |
Deliver the SAR to all participants and beneficiaries. |
Provides SAR language and data once the extended 5500 is finalized. |
|
Dec 31 |
Year-End RMDs, ADP/ACP Corrections & Plan Amendments |
Review, sign, and fund any required contributions or amendments. Ensure all 2026 RMDs are distributed to participants already in pay status. |
Calculates and processes RMDs and testing corrections for plan assets on the platform; drafts plan amendments upon request. |
This is a high-level reference for calendar-year 401(k) plans and does not replace legal or tax advice. Deadlines may shift when they fall on weekends or holidays. Consult your legal or tax advisor for guidance specific to your plan.