Choosing the right retirement plan for your Nevada business
Planning for your employees' retirement doesn't have to be complicated. WealthRabbit's SIMPLE IRA makes it easy for Nevada businesses to offer meaningful benefits, maximize tax advantages, and simplify plan management—all while staying aligned with state mandate.
What is NEST?
NEST is Nevada’s state-mandated retirement savings program for employers without a private plan. It provides basic access to retirement savings but offers limited flexibility. Businesses are required to participate if they have 6 or more employees, have been in operation for 3+ years, and do not offer a qualified plan. Employees become eligible after 120 days of employment.
Registration deadlines
The registration deadline depends on the size of your business.
- Employers must register or certify an exemption before September 1, 2025.
Non-compliance penalties
Failure to comply with the state mandate may result in financial penalties:
- The specific penalty amounts are yet to be announced by the state
What You're Missing with Nevada NEST
Nevada NEST is designed to check a compliance box - but for businesses and employers, it often falls short:
- Limited investment optionsEmployees can't build customized retirement portfolios.
- No employer benefitsBusinesses spend time managing compliance, but don't receive tax incentives.
- Lower contribution limitsEmployees can save only up to $7,000 per year (or $8,000 if age 50+) under Roth IRA rules
- Minimal growth potentialLimited funds can mean lower returns for employees over time.
- Harsh penaltiesNon-compliant businesses may face fines, creating significant financial risk.
Ready for a retirement solution that works better for your business?
SIMPLE IRA: The smart alternative to Nevada NEST
A SIMPLE IRA plan offers significant advantages over the state-mandated option, providing tax benefits for employers and greater growth potential for employees. It's a powerful tool for attracting and retaining talent.
- Tax credits Qualify for up to $5,500 in tax credits for starting a new plan.
- Employer tax deductions Contributions you make are tax-deductible as a business expense.
- Higher contribution limits Employees can contribute up to $16,500 per year (or $20,000 if age 50+) with a SIMPLE IRA in 2025, far higher than the NEST Roth IRA limit.
- Investment flexibilityEmployees get access to a wide range of investment options, not just a few target-date funds.
- Attract & retain talentOffering a superior retirement benefit makes your company more competitive.
See How Much You Can Save with a SIMPLE IRA
Small businesses can take advantage of tax credits to help cover setup and administrative costs. By launching a new plan with auto-enrollment, you could qualify for up to $5,500 in tax credits!
How tax credits work
Tax credits are designed to offset the cost of setting up and administering, as well as contributing to the employees retirement savings.
Employers can claim up to $5,000 per year for three years to offset plan setup and administrative costs. They may qualify for additional tax credits.
- Auto-enrollment bonusIf you make the plan automatic (employees are enrolled unless they opt out), you get an extra $500 credit for 3 years.
- Employer contributionsYou may also get credits for money you put into employees' accounts (up to $1,000 per employee in the early years).
Together, these credits can add up to thousands in savings for your business. Curious how much you could claim?
Try our calculator and see exactly how much you could save.
Estimate your tax credit
Disclosure*
The SIMPLE IRA tax credit calculator is intended to estimate the average tax credit for your business. Please note, it does not constitute tax or legal advice.
Elevate your retirement savings with WealthRabbit
Instead of settling for Nevada NEST, businesses can choose a qualified alternative like a WealthRabbit SIMPLE IRA — a smarter way to stay compliant and support employees:
- Self-onboardingEmployers and employees sign up on their own—retirement plans are up and running in just a few clicks.
- Seamless payroll integrationWealthRabbit seamlessly connects with your payroll system to ensure accurate and timely contributions for every employee.
- Streamlined plan rolloversEasily roll funds from your existing retirement plan into WealthRabbit— no hassle, no delays.
- Automated contributionsEnjoy a hands-off approach to retirement savings. Set up automatic deposits so your team never misses a contribution.
- Employee & employer portalsManage contributions and investments anytime, anywhere—whether you're on your computer or mobile device. View up-to-date data on contributions, investment performance, and account activity.
Nevada NEST vs. WealthRabbit
A quick look at how WealthRabbit's SIMPLE IRA compares to Nevada's state program.
| Feature | NEST | WealthRabbit SIMPLE IRA |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Effort | State-mandated with limited customization; minimal employer involvement | Streamlined process with automated setup and payroll integration |
| Retirement Options | Roth IRA only; default 5% contribution with auto-escalation to 10% and no employer match | More diverse investment options, customizable based on business needs |
| Eligibility Criteria | Employees must work 120 days to qualify for contributions | Customizable to your business needs |
| Flexibility | State-regulated with fixed contribution rates and minimal flexibility | Highly customizable plan with the ability to modify contribution rates and match options |
| Monthly Fees | Subject to state fees and administrative costs | Low-cost setup: $29/month + $4 per employee, no state fees |
| Employee Experience | Basic account with limited tools for employees | Comprehensive dashboard, financial literacy resources, and rollover support |
Frequently asked questions
Nevada NEST (Nevada Employee Savings Trust) is the state-mandated retirement savings program. It's designed to help employees save through payroll deductions if their employer doesn't offer a qualified retirement plan.
If your business has six or more employees, has operated in Nevada for at least 36 months, and doesn't already offer a qualified retirement plan, you must provide access to a retirement savings plan.
The good news: you're not limited to the state program. Choosing an alternative like WealthRabbit's SIMPLE IRA keeps you compliant while giving you greater flexibility, tax advantages, and growth potential.
No. Employers are not required to make contributions to NEST. NEST is a Roth IRA–based program funded only through employee payroll deductions. Employers simply handle the payroll processing, send contributions to the program, and maintain employee eligibility records, but they do not match or contribute to employee accounts in any way.
As of now, the state has not yet announced specific penalty amounts for non-compliance. However, employers who fail to register by September 1, 2025, may be subject to enforcement action. We recommend registering or certifying your exemption before the deadline to avoid potential penalties.
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