The state of Virginia just sent a message to every small business owner.

They are mandating your participation in a retirement system.

Starting July 1, 2026, the RetirePath Virginia mandate drops from 25 employees to just 5 employees.

If you have been in operation for at least two years and have 5 or more eligible team members, you are now in the crosshairs.

You have two choices:

1. Enroll in the state-run RetirePath VA program.
2. Sponsor your own qualified plan.

Most business owners will take the path of least resistance. They will sign up for the state program because it feels like "checking a box."

That is a massive mistake.

At UniFirst Financial and Tax Consultants, we believe compliance is the floor: not the ceiling.

"The state is mandating you do SOMETHING. We'll help you do something BETTER."

The "Mediocre Floor": What RetirePath Really Is

RetirePath Virginia is essentially a basic Roth IRA program administered by Vestwell and managed with BlackRock target-date funds.

It is designed for the masses, not for the high-performing business owner.

Here is what you get with the state mandate:

• Auto-enrollment at 5%: Your employees are automatically opted-in at 5% of their pay.
• No Employer Match: You aren't allowed to contribute. You gain no "employer of choice" status.
• Limited Flexibility: You are stuck with the state's chosen providers and fund lineups.
• Roth Only: It doesn't offer the immediate tax-deductibility of a traditional retirement account.

Does this sound like a strategic tax planning move? Or does it sound like a bureaucratic requirement?

The "Ceiling": Why You Deserve More

You didn't build a business just to settle for the bare minimum.

Unlike the generic state plan, UniFirst helps you implement tax saving strategies that actually move the needle for your bottom line.

We specialize in retirement income planning that works for you, not just your employees.

Consider these alternatives:

• SIMPLE IRA: Higher contribution limits than a standard Roth IRA and easier to manage than a full 401(k).
• SEP IRA: Massive tax-deductible contributions that can scale with your success.
• Safe Harbor 401(k): The gold standard for business owners who want to maximize their own savings while staying compliant with the law.

When you choose a custom plan over the state mandate, you aren't just complying. You are building a wealth management machine.

The UniFirst Difference: Tax Reductions That Matter

Most financial advisors will tell you how to save a few pennies.

We are different.

We use proven strategies, unlike those offered anywhere else in the financial industry.

Our holistic process focuses on the Safety First Strategy. This isn't just about picking stocks. It’s about ensuring retirement income for life and smooth wealth transfer strategies to your beneficiaries.

"We reduce taxes significantly almost all the time using strategies you won't find at a traditional bank."

A Higher Purpose for Your Wealth

As we navigate these new state mandates, it is important to remember the purpose of our labor.

“Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.” : Proverbs 13:11

RetirePath is a "hasty" solution for the state. Your business deserves a strategy that gathers wealth "little by little" through smart, intentional planning.

Don't Just Comply: Conquer

Approximately 35,000 Virginia businesses are about to be affected by this change.

The state is counting on you to be too busy to look for a better way.

Don't let them win.

We provide a unique, customized tax plan that goes far beyond what a state-run IRA can offer. We help you identify investment strategies for long-term financial success while staying within IRS guidelines.

Contact Us for Your Free Assessment

Click here to schedule: https://calendly.com/pdanderson

No obligation. No pressure. Just a clear path to doing better than the bare minimum.

UniFirst Financial and Tax Consultants
205 Van Buren St., Suite 120
Herndon VA 20170
Phone: (888) 581-3320
Email: patrick@unifirstfinancial.com
Website: https://unifirstfinancial.com