09/16/2026
Are student loan payments keeping your employees from saving for retirement?
SECURE 2.0 gives employers a practical plan-design option: qualifying student loan payments may be treated like employee 401(k) contributions for matching purposes. That means employees paying down education debt may still receive an employer match: helping them build retirement savings without choosing between today’s debt and tomorrow’s financial security.
Radical honesty: this is not a plug-and-play feature. Employers should:
1. Confirm the plan document and recordkeeper support student loan matching.
2. Decide which loans and payments qualify under the plan and applicable rules.
3. Communicate clearly so employees understand the benefit and how to enroll.
4. Work with a qualified advisor on compliance and plan design.
For small and mid-sized businesses, this can strengthen recruitment and retention by showing younger talent that your benefits support their real financial challenges.
At Total Benefit Solutions, we provide zero-cost consulting and advocacy to help employers evaluate benefit strategies. We never accept no when better solutions may be available.
Call 215-355-2121 or visit www.totalbenefits.net for a complimentary consultation.