Regulatory changes concerning 401(k) retirement plans, set to take effect in 2026, may force US employers to adjust existing company plans. For Polish business owners — especially those on Long Island, in New Jersey, and Connecticut — this means the necessity of reviewing solutions that were often implemented years ago and have not been updated since.
What’s Changing — and Who It Affects
The upcoming regulations are a continuation of changes introduced by the SECURE Act 2.0, which has been gradually modifying the rules for retirement plans in the US since 2023. Among the key changes for 2026, experts point to the expansion of mandatory automatic enrollment of employees into 401(k) plans, an increase in catch-up contribution limits for those nearing retirement, and new reporting requirements.
For small and medium-sized businesses — a segment where many Polish entrepreneurs operate in the tri-state area — these changes may mean both higher administrative costs and the need to renegotiate terms with their current plan administrator.
Why Polish Employers Should Act Now
Many Polish business owners in the US implemented a 401(k) plan years ago and have not analyzed its structure or costs since. Meanwhile, the market has changed: cheaper plan administration options, new technological solutions, and more favorable investment structures have emerged. A plan that was optimal in 2018 may generate unnecessary costs or fail to meet new requirements in 2026.
A professional review of a 401(k) plan allows assessing whether the company is paying appropriately for administration, whether the investment structure meets current employee needs, and whether the plan complies with new regulations — before non-compliance consequences arise.
Expert Commentary
— Business owners often set up a 401(k) plan once and forget about it for years. Meanwhile, regulatory changes are an ideal moment to check whether the plan still works to the benefit of the company and employees — or if it’s just generating costs — comments Natalia Zimnoch, a Registered Investment Advisor with Zimnoch Financial Group in Copiague, Long Island. — Many of my clients discover after a review that they can lower administrative costs or better tailor the investment offerings to their employees’ needs.
Zimnoch Financial Group supports Polish business owners in analyzing and optimizing 401(k) plans, taking into account the new regulations effective in 2026. Natalia Zimnoch is licensed in 14 US states and serves clients both in-person at her Copiague office and remotely.
The full profile of Zimnoch Financial Group with services for businesses is available in the PolishPages directory.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. For individual matters, consult with a licensed professional.
