401(k) & Retirement Plans · Reviewed

Human Interest

Full-service 401(k) for small and mid-sized businesses

★ 4.5 / 5|From $120/mo + $5/employee|401(k) & Retirement Plans

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Overview

Human Interest is a digital-first 401(k) recordkeeper and plan administrator purpose-built for small and mid-sized employers. The platform bundles recordkeeping, compliance, investment management, and on higher tiers 3(16) administrative fiduciary services.

For HVAC companies, the standout feature is the breadth of payroll integrations. Human Interest syncs with more than 500 payroll systems including Paychex, ADP, Gusto, Rippling, QuickBooks, and most industry-specific field-service payroll tools.

Human Interest also absorbs many nuisance fees that traditional providers pass to employees. Combined with SECURE 2.0 startup tax credits, a Human Interest plan can be functionally free for the first three years for an HVAC shop starting its first 401(k).

Key Features

Three-tier plan structure

Lets HVAC owners start lean and add fiduciary protection as they grow.

3(16) administrative fiduciary

On Complete and Concierge offloads notice delivery, eligibility, and filing liability.

Automated payroll sync

With 500+ systems.

Portfolio construction

Using low-cost Vanguard and BlackRock funds with age-based target-date defaults.

Plan cost calculator

Benchmarking tools help owners compare against incumbents.

Setup fee

$499 setup fee (frequently waived) and streamlined plan conversion.

Dedicated relationship manager

For concierge-tier clients.

Pros & Cons

Pros

+Widest payroll integration library of any SMB-focused 401(k) provider
+3(16) fiduciary option meaningfully reduces owner liability
+Transparent published pricing tiers
+Strong customer support with live phone access
+Absorbs several employee-level fees that competitors pass through

Cons

−Higher base pricing than Guideline on comparable tiers
−Investment menu is intentionally limited (mostly index funds)
−Setup fee is standard though often waived
−Complex plan designs may require upgrading to higher tier
−Advisor-led sales motion can feel heavier than Guideline's self-serve flow

Customer Stories

Ellis Hospitality

Hospitality

Ellis Hospitality

“Human Interest has empowered Ellis Hospitality to expand its benefits package to include a 401(k) for all hotel properties, with almost no administrative burden.”

NHBlack Labs

Delivery Services

NHBlack Labs Delivery

“Since implementing a safe harbor 401(k) plan with employer matching, NHBlack Labs has seen better employee engagement and attrition rates.”

Ellis Hospitality

Hospitality

Ellis Hospitality

“Human Interest has empowered Ellis Hospitality to expand its benefits package to include a 401(k) for all hotel properties, with almost no administrative burden.”

What Customers Say

“Having everything automated and not having to work about my 401(k) plan has really freed up my time to focus on other aspects of the business.”

— Stanley Chen, , BerryClean

“Having everything automated and not having to work about my 401(k) plan has really freed up my time to focus on other aspects of the business.”

— Stanley Chen, , BerryClean

Best For These Industries

HVAC & Plumbing
small-business
smb
growing-teams
multi-location

Alternatives to Human Interest

Guideline

★ 4.6

Flat-fee 401(k) built for small businesses

Guideline is an affordable, full-service 401(k) provider built for small businesses, with low flat-fee pricing and deep payroll integrations that automate administration for HVAC owners.

From $49/mo base + $6/participant/mo (Starter)Read review →

Paychex Retirement Services

★ 4.2

Bundled 401(k), payroll, and HR for small and mid-sized businesses

Paychex Retirement Services is one of the largest 401(k) recordkeepers in the US, offering traditional, Safe Harbor, SIMPLE, and Pooled Employer Plan options tightly integrated with Paychex payroll.

From Custom quoteRead review →

ADP Retirement Services

★ 4.1

Integrated 401(k) and payroll for businesses of every size

ADP Retirement Services offers scalable 401(k), Starter-k, SIMPLE, and SEP IRA plans with SMARTSync payroll integration, designed for businesses from 0-4 employees up through the enterprise.

From From $100/mo (Starter-k, 0-4 employees)Read review →

Fidelity Small Business

★ 4.5

Brand-name SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and 401(k) plans for small employers, popular with owner-operated HVAC shops.

Fidelity Small Business offers SEP IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, Self-Employed 401(k)s, and the Fidelity Advantage 401(k) for small employers, with no account fees on the IRA-based plans and the brand trust that HVAC owner-operators often prefer.

From $0 for SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and Self-Employed 401(k)Read review →

View all 11 401(k) & Retirement Plans tools →

Human Interest

Overview

Key Features

Three-tier plan structure

3(16) administrative fiduciary

Automated payroll sync

Portfolio construction

Plan cost calculator

Setup fee

Dedicated relationship manager

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Customer Stories

Ellis Hospitality

NHBlack Labs

Ellis Hospitality

What Customers Say

Best For These Industries

Alternatives to Human Interest

Guideline

Paychex Retirement Services

ADP Retirement Services

Fidelity Small Business

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