Live mandate
Does my Nevada business have to offer a retirement plan?
Short answer
Yes, if you have 6 or more employees, have been in business at least 3 years and don’t offer a retirement plan such as a 401(k). You either sign up for NEST, the Nevada Employee Savings Trust, or certify that you already offer a plan. Nevada hasn’t published a penalty, but the requirement still applies.
Who must comply
NEST applies to Nevada employers with 6 or more employees that have been in business for at least 3 years and don't offer a qualified retirement plan.
Deadlines
All eligible employers had to register by September 1, 2025. New businesses get a notice with their date. The 2027 date isn’t published yet (2026: June 30).
Penalties
NEST hasn’t published a fine, and Nevada law doesn’t set one. The requirement applies anyway.
How to get exempt
If you provide a qualified retirement plan such as a 401(k), certify your exemption on the NEST employer portal with the Access Code from your notice.
NEST or a 401(k)?
NEST accounts are Roth IRAs, so each saver is held to the IRA limit: $7,500 a year in 2026 and 2027, or $8,600 at 50 or older, across all their IRAs. Higher earners can be phased out of Roth contributions altogether, starting at $153,000 of income for single filers in 2026 and $158,000 in 2027. A 401(k) leaves far more room: employees can defer $24,500 in 2026 and $25,500 in 2027, plus catch-ups from age 50. NEST doesn’t allow employer contributions, so you can’t add a match; a 401(k) can include one. NEST costs employers nothing to run; savers pay the account and fund fees. New savers start at 5% of pay, rising 1% each January to 10% unless they change it.
Sources
Nevada Employee Savings Trust (NEST): Program details (employers) (nest.nv.gov) NEST: Contributions (savers) (nest.nv.gov) Internal Revenue Service: 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500 (irs.gov) Internal Revenue Service: COLA increases for dollar limitations on benefits and contributions (irs.gov) Internal Revenue Service: 401(k) plan overview (irs.gov) Georgetown University Center for Retirement Initiatives: States: 2026 state program status (as of November 6, 2026) (cri.georgetown.edu)
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current rules with the state program before acting.
