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Happy holidays from Employee Fiduciary! As 2025 comes to a close, we looked back at this year’s blogs to see which ones readers found most helpful. The most-read articles focused on a few themes:
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- SECURE 2.0 implementation, including catch-up contribution changes and new compliance requirements
- Plan administration fundamentals, such as contribution deadlines, controlled group rules, and Safe Harbor design
- Distributions and access to savings, including rollovers, hardship withdrawals, and locating lost retirement accounts
So, whether you missed these articles the first time or just want a refresher, here are our top 10 most-read 401(k) blogs of 2025.
Our Most-Read 401(k) Blogs of 2025
Several clear themes emerged in 2025: implementing SECURE 2.0 correctly, avoiding compliance traps tied to ownership and contribution timing, and understanding distribution options when money finally leaves the plan. Together, these posts reflect the questions we hear most often from plan sponsors and participants alike.
Below are the ten most-read 401(k) blogs of 2025, ranked in order.
1. 401(k) Catch-Up Contributions: Final SECURE 2.0 Rules for Employers
SECURE 2.0 made some of its most complex changes to catch-up contributions, and 2025–2026 is when those rules truly begin to matter. This article walks employers through:
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- The new Roth-only catch-up requirement for higher-paid employees
- Increased catch-up limits for participants ages 60–63
- What plans must do operationally to stay compliant
2. Lost a 401(k)? Here's How to Reclaim Your Retirement Savings
Millions of Americans have retirement money sitting in forgotten accounts. In 2025, interest surged in the Department of Labor’s Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database, and this guide shows participants exactly how to use it. We cover:
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- How to search for missing 401(k) and pension benefits
- What information you’ll need
- Next steps once you locate an account
3. Is Your Company Part of a Controlled Group? You Need to Know or Risk 401(k) Plan Disqualification
Controlled group rules are one of the most misunderstood—and most dangerous—areas of 401(k) compliance. This post explains:
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How IRS controlled group and affiliated service group rules work
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The consequences for overlooking a controlled group member
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Family attribution traps that catch business owners off guard
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How SECURE 2.0 simplifies compliance
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If you own multiple businesses or share ownership with family members, this article can save you from a plan-disqualifying mistake.
4. 401(k) Distribution Rules: Frequently Asked Questions for Employers and Employees
Distributions are where compliance mistakes get expensive. This updated FAQ breaks down:
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- When distributions are allowed
- Tax withholding rules
- Rollovers vs. cash-outs
- How SECURE Act changes affect participants
5. 401(k) Contribution Deadlines – You Don’t Want to Miss Them!
Timing matters. Missing contribution deadlines can lead to lost deductions, IRS penalties, and DOL issues. This article explains:
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- Employee deferral deposit deadlines
- Employer match and profit-sharing deadlines
- How deadlines differ for small vs. large plans
6. SECURE Act 2.0: 2025 Changes for Small Business 401(k) Plans
While SECURE 2.0 passed in 2022, many provisions didn’t fully kick in until 2025. This post focuses specifically on what small business owners needed to know this year, including:
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- New plan design opportunities
- Compliance deadlines that can’t be ignored
- How to prepare your plan for upcoming changes
7. Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans: FAQs for Small Businesses
Safe Harbor plans remain one of the best tools for avoiding testing headaches while maximizing owner savings. This FAQ answers:
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- How Safe Harbor plans work
- Common contribution formulas
- Pros and cons for small businesses
8. 401(k) Matching Contributions – What Employers Need to Know
Matching contributions sound simple, but plan design details matter. This article walks through:
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- Different types of employer matches
- Safe Harbor vs. discretionary matching
- Roth matching contributions
- True-ups and common mistakes
9. Classic vs. QACA Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans: How to Choose the Best Option for Your Business
Not all Safe Harbor plans are created equal. This comparison explains:
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- The key differences between Classic Safe Harbor and QACA Safe Harbor plans
- Contribution and vesting requirements
- Which types of businesses each option fits best
10. 401(k) Hardship Distributions: Frequently Asked Questions (Updated for SECURE 2.0)
Hardship distributions are often misunderstood by both employers and employees. This updated FAQ covers:
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- What qualifies as a hardship
- Self-certification rules
- Tax consequences and penalties
- How SECURE 2.0 changed the process
Looking Ahead to 2026!
With more SECURE 2.0 provisions taking effect in 2026, we expect continued interest in catch-up contributions, Roth features, and compliance fundamentals. As always, our goal is to uncomplicate 401(k) rules and help you make better decisions for your plan and participants.
If you have questions about any of these topics—or want help reviewing your plan design—we’re always here to help. For additional retirement plan information, check out our 401(k) Resource Center. It includes retirement plan insights and information from Employee Fiduciary experts.
Best wishes for 2026!
