Design the right plan
Plan type and contribution strategy matched to your cash flow, workforce and owner-savings goals — with setup coordinated across your recordkeeper, payroll and CPA.
See a dollar exampleA smarter retirement plan for your small business.
401(k), SIMPLE IRA and SEP IRA plans — designed, invested and explained to your team by a CFA® charterholder. You run the business. We handle the plan.
Request a complimentary plan reviewCFA® charterholder · 20+ years in investments · California-registered investment adviser since 2018
One adviser. Three clear jobs.
Your CPA handles taxes and your payroll provider moves the money. Pleasanton Wealth focuses on what the plan should accomplish — and on making sure employees actually value it.
Manage the investments
A focused, low-cost menu, selected and monitored with institutional discipline and documented — so you don't have to act as the investment committee.
How it differs from your CPAMake the benefit visible
Monthly contribution reports and quarterly employee education sessions, so your team sees — and remembers — what you're investing in their future.
Request a plan review401(k)Safe Harbor 401(k)SIMPLE IRASEP IRAProfit sharingSolo 401(k)CalSavers alternative
Every California employer now needs a plan — or CalSavers.
As of January 1, 2026, any California business with at least one W-2 employee must either offer a qualified retirement plan or register with the state's CalSavers program. Businesses that ignore the notice can face per-employee penalties.
- Already have a plan? You still need to file a CalSavers exemption.
- CalSavers meets the rule, but it's a basic Roth IRA with no employer match.
- A 401(k), SIMPLE IRA or SEP IRA can do far more for the owner and the team — and may qualify for federal startup tax credits under SECURE 2.0.
| 2026 | CalSavers | Your own 401(k) |
|---|---|---|
| Employee savings limit | $7,500 | $24,500 + catch-up |
| Age 50+ / 60–63 total | $8,600 | $32,500 / $35,750 |
| Employer match or profit sharing | Not allowed | Yes — you design it |
| Federal startup tax credits | No | May qualify |
| Recruiting & retention value | Minimal | A visible benefit |
From first call to a working plan.
Plan review
A complimentary conversation about your team, payroll and goals.
Recommendation
A clear plan design with estimated owner savings, employer cost and potential credits.
Setup
We coordinate the provider, payroll integration and CalSavers exemption.
Ongoing care
Investment monitoring, employee education and an annual plan check-up.
What could a plan look like in dollars?
One hypothetical example: a six-person dental practice adopts a SIMPLE IRA.
The owner earns $180,000; five employees each earn $50,000 and contribute enough to receive the full 3% match.
The owner puts $22,400 toward retirement, the team receives $7,500 in matching dollars, and potential federal credits can offset a large share of first-year cost.
Dental and medical practices, professional firms and family-owned businesses are a natural fit — owners with a lot on their plate and good people to keep.
Review my opportunityOwner salary deferral$17,000
Practice match for owner (3%)$5,400
Practice match for 5 employees$7,500
Illustrative first-year plan cost$1,250
Gross business cost (matches + plan)$14,150
Potential first-year federal credits−$6,250
Estimated cost after credits$7,900
Hypothetical 2026 illustration only — not a quote, projection, or tax recommendation. The potential $6,250 assumes a $1,250 startup-cost credit plus a $1,000 employer-contribution credit for each of five eligible employees, and that the employer, plan, employees and costs qualify under current federal rules. Credits are not guaranteed and cannot also be deducted. Confirm eligibility with a qualified tax adviser.
Meet the founder
SN
Samah Naguib, CFA®
20+years in investments
2018founded Pleasanton Wealth
CFA®charterholder
Samah founded Pleasanton Wealth after more than two decades in investments. She previously held financial advisory roles at Charles Schwab, co-founded Profit Brokerage Inc., and began her career with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in finance and economics.
Today she works directly with business owners, their accountants, plan providers and employees — bringing institutional investment discipline to decisions that need to stay practical for a small business. Once the plan is in place, she also helps owners with the rest of their financial picture: investment management, retirement, tax-aware and estate planning.
Honest guidance, no pressure. If a new plan isn't the right fit for your business, Samah will tell you.
Small business retirement plan FAQ
Does my California business have to offer a retirement plan?
Since January 1, 2026, California employers with at least one W-2 employee must either offer a qualified retirement plan — such as a 401(k), SIMPLE IRA or SEP IRA — or register with the state CalSavers program. If you already sponsor a plan, you still need to file an exemption with CalSavers.
Is a 401(k) better than CalSavers for a small business?
CalSavers is a state-run Roth IRA with lower contribution limits and no employer contributions. A 401(k) or SIMPLE IRA allows much higher owner and employee savings, employer matching your team can see, and may qualify for federal startup tax credits. The right choice depends on your workforce, cash flow and goals — that's what the plan review is for.
Are there tax credits for starting a small business retirement plan?
Under SECURE 2.0, eligible small employers may qualify for a federal credit toward plan startup costs for the first three years, an additional credit for employer contributions, and a credit for adding automatic enrollment. Eligibility rules apply, so we coordinate with your tax adviser.
How is this different from what my accountant or payroll provider does?
Your CPA handles taxes and deductions; your payroll provider processes contributions. Pleasanton Wealth focuses on plan design, selecting and monitoring the investment menu, and educating employees so they value the benefit. Each professional stays in the lane where they add the most value.
What size businesses do you work with?
Typically businesses with 1 to 100 employees in Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, San Ramon, Danville, the wider Bay Area and across California — including dental and medical practices, professional firms and family-owned companies.
Weekly Market Commentary
A short read each week on the markets — and what they mean for business owners and plan participants.
Latest · Week ending September 18, 2026
The Fed Raises Rates for the First Time Since 2023
Weekly market commentary: the Fed's quarter-point hike, a 10-year Treasury yield near 5%, mixed stock returns, and what it means for business owners and plan participants.
Read this week's commentary- S&P 500 (week)−0.1%
- Dow Jones (week)−1.7%
- Nasdaq (week)+0.7%
- 10-year TreasuryNear 5%
- Fed funds target3.75%–4.00%
Business Insights
Plain-English guides for owners weighing a retirement plan.
ComplianceCalSavers or Your Own Plan? What California Owners Need to Decide
Tax & CostWhat a Small Business Retirement Plan Really Costs After SECURE 2.0 Credits
Plan DesignSIMPLE IRA vs. SEP IRA vs. 401(k): Choosing the Right Plan
Plan DesignSafe Harbor 401(k): How Owners Avoid Failed Testing and Refunds
Risk ManagementYour Fiduciary Duties as a Plan Sponsor — and How to Share Them
Employee EngagementMaking the Benefit Visible: Why Employees Undervalue Your Retirement Plan
Free resource
The Small Business Retirement Plan Checklist
Every decision, setup step and annual review a California owner should know — on one printable page. Enter your email and we'll open it for you right away.
Request a complimentary plan review
Tell us a little about your business. Samah will personally review it and reply within one business day — no obligation, no sales script.
You'll receive:
- The plan type that may best fit your business
- A preliminary picture of owner savings, employer cost and employee value
- The next practical step — and who handles it
Prefer email? samah@pleasantonwealth.com