401(k) Annual Administration Checklist for 2026

This document is a guide for the 401(k) annual administration tasks for the year 2026, published by Employee Fiduciary, LLC. It outlines the fiduciary responsibilities of employers in ensuring that plan administration tasks are completed in a timely manner each year. The checklist is designed to help employers manage and monitor the completion of essential tasks, categorized into deadline tasks, periodic tasks, and plan records. The guide details specific deadlines for tasks that must be completed within set timeframes, as well as tasks that may need to be done periodically throughout the year. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of retaining specific 401(k) records in compliance with ERISA document retention rules. By using this checklist, employers can better ensure compliance with their plan's requirements, monitor their 401(k) provider's performance, and maintain the necessary documentation for their 401(k) plans.