Merrill Small Business 401(k)
Merrill Small Business 401(k): A focused small-business 401(k) with managed administration and ACH contributions. Ranked #7 of 14 in 401(k) Software by our editors (8.0/10); pricing: Paid; best for small employers preferring Merrill-managed plans.
At a glance
- Editor score8.0 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forSmall employers preferring Merrill-managed plans
- Free planNo
- Paid from$95/mo
- Employee enrollmentYes
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Ascensus manages recordkeeping and plan administration.
- Includes compliance testing, Form 5500 support and online enrollment.
- Merrill provides fiduciary services and a target-date QDIA option.
Where it doesn't
- The Group 401(k) charges $5 per participant each month for recordkeeping.
- Published pricing also combines asset-based fees with plan fees.
- Contribution processing is through ACH rather than a named payroll integration.
Our verdict on Merrill Small Business 401(k)
Merrill Small Business 401(k) is a cloud-based retirement plan for small businesses, with web and iOS access for employers and employees. It brings plan setup, online enrollment, contribution processing and investment choices into a service that divides responsibilities between Ascensus and Merrill: Ascensus handles recordkeeping and plan administration, while Merrill provides investment fiduciary services. Employers looking for a managed plan with compliance support and employee education may find its scope useful; businesses that want a named payroll connection should compare alternatives carefully.
The Group 401(k) costs $95 per month and has no setup fee. That monthly price includes managed recordkeeping and administration, online reporting, employee enrollment and ACH contribution processing. Employee recordkeeping adds $5 per participant per month, and published pricing also combines asset-based fees. The plan menu is fixed and includes target-date funds, with a target-date QDIA option. Auto-enrollment is available for group plans. This structure gives employers a clear base monthly charge, while total plan costs also depend on participant and asset-based fees.
The feature set extends beyond account administration: the plan includes compliance testing, Form 5500 support, call-center support and financial-wellness education for employees. Employees can manage contributions and choose investments from the plan menu. The trade-off is that contribution processing is described through ACH, not a named payroll-provider integration, so employers prioritizing payroll-connected workflows may prefer a provider with that fit. Choose Merrill if managed administration, Merrill fiduciary services and employee support are central priorities; consider another option if payroll integration or a broader investment menu matters more.
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Merrill Small Business 401(k) pricing
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Merrill Small Business 401(k) fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $95/mo |
| Plan types | 401(k); Roth 401(k); Safe Harbor 401(k) |
| Employee enrollment | Yes |
| Payroll integrations | Not verified |
| Investment options | Mixed |
| Compliance support | Yes |
| Participant mobile app | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, iOS |
| Support | Phone, Docs |
| Built for | Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | merrilledge.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Merrill Small Business 401(k)
- Ameritas Retirement PlansBroad retirement-plan administration with enrollment, payroll, fiduciary and participant services.9.3
- Charles Schwab Retirement Plan ServicesA broad 401(k) service for employers seeking administration, compliance support, and participant tools.9.1
- Human InterestPayroll-connected retirement plan administration with tiered compliance support.8.8
See all Merrill Small Business 401(k) alternatives →
Merrill Small Business 401(k) vs the competition
- Merrill Small Business 401(k) vs Ameritas Retirement Plans
- Merrill Small Business 401(k) vs Charles Schwab Retirement Plan Services
- Merrill Small Business 401(k) vs Human Interest
- Merrill Small Business 401(k) vs Guideline
- Merrill Small Business 401(k) vs Employee Fiduciary
- Merrill Small Business 401(k) vs Vestwell
Compare Merrill Small Business 401(k) with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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