Paychex Retirement Services Review
by Paychex
Paychex Retirement Services provides 401(k) plans, a pooled employer plan, solo 401(k) and SIMPLE/SEP IRAs, with recordkeeping, fiduciary options and Paychex Flex payroll integration. Pricing is quoted.
Best for
- Businesses that already run payroll on Paychex Flex
- Small employers that want a pooled employer plan with Paychex as plan sponsor
- Employers that want a third-party 3(38) or 3(21) fiduciary added to a single-employer plan
Not ideal for
- Buyers who want published 401(k) prices (plans are quoted)
How we evaluated Paychex Retirement Services
This review rests on the 13 facts this page shows, each checked against the source listed under “Sources”, most recently on . We did not test the product hands-on: the score uses only those verified facts, as our methodology explains; third-party ratings, where we quote them, never count in the score.
Our verdict
Paychex Retirement Services is the 401(k) business of Paychex, a public company founded in 1971 with headquarters in Rochester, New York and Cincinnati, Ohio; it offers pooled employer, traditional, solo and SIMPLE/SEP plans. Pricing is quoted; Paychex states company-level SOC 2 Type 2 reports and ISO 27001 certification without naming their scope for retirement services.
Strengths
Recordkeeping scale
In its latest Form 10-K annual report, Paychex reports serving over 130,000 retirement customers and $66 billion of retirement assets.
Evidence: Participant recordkeeping: Yes2
Fiduciary options
Single-employer plans can add a 3(38) investment manager or a 3(21) advisor; in the PEP, Paychex acts as plan sponsor.
Evidence: Fiduciary services: Yes3
Payroll in one platform
Paychex 401(k) integrates directly with Paychex Flex and connects with other payroll systems.
Evidence: Notable integrations: Paychex Flex1
Security certifications
Company-level SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 reports over various products and services and ISO 27001 certification; ask which cover 401(k) recordkeeping.
Evidence: SOC 2 Type II: Yes4
Weaknesses
Quoted pricing
Cost depends on business size and services; Paychex quotes each plan.
Evidence: Price transparency: Quote only1
Price at a glance
Pricing model
Quote only1
Quick answers
- How much does a Paychex 401(k) cost?
- Paychex does not publish 401(k) prices; cost depends on business size and services, and Paychex Sales quotes each plan.Based on Price transparency: Quote only1
- What retirement plans does Paychex offer?
- 401(k) plans including a Pooled Employer Plan, traditional and solo 401(k), SIMPLE and SEP IRAs, and multiple employer plans through Paychex PEO.Based on Modules: Pooled Employer 401(k) Plan (PEP), Traditional 401(k), Solo 401(k), Multiple Employer Plans (through Paychex PEO), SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA2
- Does Paychex 401(k) work with other payroll providers?
- Yes. Paychex 401(k) integrates directly with Paychex Flex, and Paychex says it also connects with other payroll systems, without naming them.Based on Notable integrations: Paychex Flex1
- Is Paychex SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certified?
- Paychex maintains SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 reports over various products and services and lists ISO 27001 certificate IS 801702; it does not state their scope for 401(k) recordkeeping.Based on SOC 2 Type II: Yes4
Coverage of core 401(k) providers capabilities
Each core capability we evaluate in 401(k) Providers, checked against Paychex Retirement Services’ own documentation. “Not verified yet” means we have not confirmed it either way, not that it is missing.
6 verified of 10 core capabilities
401(k) Providers
- Plan design and document · not verified yet
- Participant recordkeeping2
- Payroll integration1
- Investment menu and default investment2
- Fiduciary services3
- Compliance testing · not verified yet
- Form 5500 support · not verified yet
- Automatic enrollment1
- Participant notices and education · not verified yet
- Fee disclosure3
Specifications
Paychex Retirement Services integrations
Native integrations
Paychex Retirement Services integration coverage
The 4 apps that 401(k) providers products document most often, and whether Paychex Retirement Services documents each.
1 of the 4 most-connected apps documented by Paychex Retirement Services; median of the 5 products compared: 2
- Gusto · documented by 3 of 5
- Paychex · documented by 3 of 5
- Paylocity · documented by 3 of 5
- QuickBooks · documented by 2 of 5
Integrations each vendor documents (native, marketplace, Zapier, API or named by the vendor), 5 live 401(k) providers products. Not documented does not mean not possible.
Paychex Retirement Services alternatives
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Human Interest70% similar- Vanguard Workplace Solutions70% similar
Security and compliance
Support
About Paychex
Official profiles
Paychex Retirement Services: frequently asked questions
How do I contact Paychex retirement services?
By phone at 800-472-0072, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.
Does Paychex act as a 401(k) fiduciary?
For a single-employer plan, Paychex can add a third-party 3(38) investment manager or 3(21) investment advisor; in its Pooled Employer Plan, Paychex is the plan sponsor.
Can a Paychex 401(k) use automatic enrollment?
Yes. Eligible businesses can add automatic enrollment to their Paychex 401(k).
Is there a Paychex 401(k) mobile app?
Yes. Paychex publishes a mobile app, and employers and employees manage plans and contributions in Paychex Flex.
What is Paychex Retirement Services used for?
Paychex Retirement Services is a 401(k) providers product built for small businesses, mid-market companies, and enterprises. Its modules include Pooled Employer 401 Plan, Traditional 401, Solo 401, Multiple Employer Plans, SIMPLE IRA, and SEP IRA.
Is Paychex Retirement Services legit?
Paychex Retirement Services is sold by Paychex, which was founded in 1971, is headquartered in Rochester, New York and Cincinnati, Ohio, USA (dual headquarters), and is publicly traded. Paychex states SOC 2 Type II compliance.
What are the pros and cons of Paychex Retirement Services?
Strengths documented on the vendor’s own pages: recordkeeping scale, fiduciary options, and payroll in one platform. It is less suited to buyers who want published 401(k) prices (plans are quoted).
How this page was made
What it is built from
13 verified facts, each checked against the vendor's own pages or another primary source, most recently on Nov 2, 2026.
Method
Scored and compared with the LeadChange methodology, version 1.5. Read the methodology
Independent review
Passed our independent review on Nov 6, 2026. How we review
Hands-on testing
We have not tested Paychex Retirement Services hands-on: this page uses public information only.
Who made it
The LeadChange Research Team, following a written research process. No named expert has reviewed this page. About us
Independence and errors
Who pays us never changes a score or a rank. If something here is wrong, tell us and we correct it publicly. Request a correction
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How we make money
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Paychex Retirement Services
Sources
The 6 pages this page's facts come from. The date beside each is our last check of the facts taken from it (the oldest, when they differ). The numbers beside the figures above link here.
Quotes from the sources
- Paychex paychex.com/retirement-services“Streamline your retirement benefits with comprehensive 401(k) solutions designed for businesses of all sizes.” “The cost of a Paychex 401(k) plan depends on factors like your business size and the services you require.”
- U.S. SEC (Paychex Form 10-K, fiscal 2026) sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/723531/000119312526307785/payx-20260531.htm“Our retirement solutions offer a variety of options to employers, including 401(k) plans, SIMPLE and SEP IRAs, and Pooled Employer Plans, among others.” “maintains dual corporate headquarters in Rochester, New York and Cincinnati, Ohio”
- Paychex paychex.com/newsroom/news-releases/paychex-named-largest-401k-recordkeeper-2023
- Paychex paychex.com/corporate/security“Paychex maintains SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2 reports over various products and services.” “ISO 27001 Certification Certificate number IS 801702”
- Paychex paychex.com/apps/mobile-app“Access to payroll, time, HR, benefits, retirement, and scheduling”
- Paychex paychex.com/corporate“Paychex was founded in 1971 with an insight by B. Thomas Golisano.”