ShareBuilder 401k Celebrates 20 Years of Empowering Every Size Business to Save

October 17, 2025 at 06:14 AM EDT

ShareBuilder 401k, a leading provider of affordable, all-ETF 401(k) plans for small businesses and medium-sized companies, is proud to announce its 20th anniversary. For two decades, the company has been a steadfast partner for businesses of all sizes, from self-employed sole proprietors to companies with over 30,000 employees, helping them build a more secure financial future.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate two decades of helping Americans save for retirement,” said Stuart Robertson, CEO of ShareBuilder 401k. “Our journey has been a testament to our commitment to innovation and accessibility, and we look forward to continuing our mission of helping people save for their own and their teams’ retirements for many years to come.”

Significant milestones mark the company’s 20-year journey, all aimed at making retirement savings simpler and more affordable:

A Legacy of Innovation Over 20 Years:

2005: Pioneering Online 401(k) Plans. ShareBuilder 401k revolutionized the retirement industry by launching the first 401(k) plan that could be purchased and installed entirely online. At the same time, the company pioneered the all-index-based 401(k) plan using ETFs enabling small businesses to have a 401(k) as low-expense or lower than Fortune 1000 companies.

2006-2009: Expanding Reach and Features. A marketing agreement with Costco helped bring awareness of affordable 401(k) plans to more small businesses for the next six years. In 2007, ING Direct purchased ShareBuilder further expanding awareness. Additionally, ShareBuilder 401k enabled the Roth 401(k) and the automatic enrollment features in its 401(k) plans as these were made available as part of the Pension Protection Act, helping more employees start saving for retirement with more flexibility in how they save.

2010-2014: Growth and Enhanced Services. ShareBuilder 401k introduced auto-pricing discounts to ensure its clients always had a low-expense plan compared to other providers. The company also expanded its offerings to serve larger businesses with over 250 employees and added new asset classes, such as a Gold ETF and an International Bond ETF, to its fund lineup. To provide more personalized support, the company launched a Customer Success Manager program. During this period, ShareBuilder 401k was acquired by, and became part of, Capital One launching the Capital One Spark 401(k) offering.

2015-2018: Streamlining Administration. The company expanded its payroll integration capabilities by partnering with bundled recordkeepers like PAi and Ascensus, offering over 130 different integrations that make plan management easier for businesses. ShareBuilder further enhanced employee financial well-being programs with deeper education modules and retirement forecasting calculators.

2019 and Beyond: Renewed Focus and Growth. The company’s leadership team and strategic investors acquired ShareBuilder 401k back from Capital One to focus more intently on retirement solutions and growth. The new chapter led to the launch of an even more intuitive and lower cost Solo 401(k) Saver for self-employed individuals. The company also introduced Plan Health Reports to help sponsors have deeper insights into their plan and to optimize their program for participation and savings rates. ShareBuilder further enhanced its education programs including YouTube videos and blog content as well as social media outreaches to meet employees in both traditional and emerging platforms.

Looking ahead, ShareBuilder 401k plans to introduce new services, including 3(16) services in its bundled offerings, to further simplify plan administration and help even more Americans build wealth.

“We want to extend a special thank you to all our thousands of clients across all 50 states, especially the 60 plans that have been with us since the very beginning,” said Robertson. “Cheers to the next 20 years of helping you and your team save for a financially secure retirement!”

To learn more, visit www.sharebuilder401k.com.

About ShareBuilder 401k

ShareBuilder 401k is a leading digital 401(k) provider specializing in low-cost, all-ETF retirement products and resources for small- to mid-sized companies, including owner-only businesses. Founded in 2005 and now serving more than 6,500 businesses across the US, ShareBuilder 401k is a pioneer of the index-based 401(k), digital quoting and purchasing of retirement plans, and providing investment management (ERISA 3(38)) services for every client’s fund roster. ShareBuilder 401k is committed to expanding access to retirement plans and leading more Americans to save through cutting-edge technology, low costs and quality education and support.