Beginning in 2024, any Maryland business with at least one W-2 employee and that has been in operation for at least two years is now required to offer their employees a retirement plan.
Failure to offer a retirement plan can result in an annual penalty assessed by the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT). In conjunction with this new mandate, Maryland has developed a state-run retirement savings program, MarylandSaves, as an option for employers to meet their retirement plan needs. This Roth IRA-based investment plan is a good option, but doesn’t allow an employer the ability to contribute a matching contribution.
We’re offering you another option, one that allows you to provide a “local” solution, managed by a well-respected local financial services firm, to provide a better future for your workforce. At the end of the day, that’s what’s important. Building loyalty and trust with your employees, while at the same time helping them build financial security for retirement. Employer-sponsored retirement plans are critical to helping people save for retirement, and companies like yours are under pressure to offer a comprehensive retirement program to recruit and retain top talent.
CHAMBER MEMBER EXCLUSIVE SOLUTION
While state-facilitated retirement programs such as MarylandSaves have many positives, their one-size-fits all approach can hamstring you as an employer and your employees. In response, we have partnered with top providers in the retirement industry to offer Signature Fiduciary Connect™, a full-service, cost-effective 401(k) program that minimizes your administrative workload. This solution helps make it easy for you to offer a plan without adding to your already full plate. You’ll work with a team of retirement plan specialists who will take care of your plan, so you can focus on running your business. Below you'll find a description of these specialists:
John Hancock has more than 50 years’ experience in retirement plans and is the recordkeeper for all plans in the Signature Fiduciary Connect program. John Hancock assists with employee education about the plan and its features, receives and invests your plan contributions, provides quarterly statements, maintains the participant website and 800# and pays out participant distributions. Additionally, John Hancock works closely with all parties associated with your Plan on a routine basis.
TAG Resources acts on behalf of the Employer, taking on the responsibility for day-to-day activities involved in running your plan. TAG helps you design and establish your plan, ensuring that you have the features that will help attract and retain the best employees. Ongoing, TAG notifies participants when they’re eligible to join, delivers all required notices, processes participant distributions, and handles your yearend testing and reporting, just to name a few tasks. Founded in Knoxville, TN in 2000, TAG is the largest nationwide 3(16) Plan Administrator and supports more than 4,000 retirement plans.
Scott McCaskill is a full-service financial planner and investment manager. He is also a small business owner and a Washington County Chamber member so he understands the difficulties you face. Scott’s role is to assist you and your employees with your financial questions, provide education support and to work with all the service providers to deliver a superior retirement plan and experience.
If you have questions about Chamber membership, contact Chamber President & CEO Paul Frey at paul@hagerstown.org
HOW TO GET STARTED
Whether this is your first experience in offering a retirement plan to your employees or you have a retirement plan with a different provider and are interested in learning more about our fully outsourced solution, getting started is easy!
- Tell us a little about your company by filling out the form linked here. You’re under no obligation and we will provide a customized proposal with pricing and explain how the 401(k) retirement program works.
- Review the proposal with our team and get answers to your questions.
- Work with our team to build a plan that makes sense for you and schedule an enrollment meeting with your employees.
For overall program information please contact:
McCaskill Financial
info@mccaskill-financial.com
Ph: 800-815-1092
We want to help connect our members. If there is a specific industry or even a specific company you want to connect with, let us know today and we’ll help you grow your network. Call 301-739-2015.
There are also several networking groups directly affiliated with the Chamber. Our committees are made up of members and each one has a special focus to further our Chamber's mission.
Explore the options below:
We have a variety of paid AND free marketing opportunities that are available exclusively for our Chamber members.
If you need more information on any of the below opportunities, please contact brianna@hagerstown.org or call 301-739-2015 ext. 104
Directory
Each year, the Chamber works with a publisher to produce a Business Directory. It is free for all members to be listed in the directory, and there is also a chance your business will be mentioned in the Community Profile stories. There are also paid advertising opportunities available in each year’s directory as well.
Cost: Free and paid. Exact cost is dependent upon the size of the ad.
Email Blasts
We offer the opportunity to send promotional email blasts that are solely focused on your business. You control exactly how it looks and the content.
Cost: $150
Event Banner Ads
Secure a spot to advertise on one of the 9-foot banners we set up at our events. Not only do event attendees see it, but your logo could appear in a picture behind someone in a news story. The banners make their debut in January of each year.
Cost: Ranges from $375 to $1,500
Mailing Lists
You can purchase mailing lists from us, which include company names and physical addresses of our members.
Cost: $100 (list of main member contacts) or $175 (full list of member contacts)
Map Advertising
We work with a company called Target Marketing to produce a map of Washington County that is made available in the Chamber’s lobby. There are paid advertising spots available in the map brochure.
Cost: Dependent upon the ad size
Social Media
Whenever you have an interesting event or announcement, we can post it for you for free on our social media platforms. We can put it on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Story, and our Facebook story.
Cost: Free
Chamber Newsletter
We can promote news about your business or special announcements in our monthly newsletter email for free, just email us the information you want to include along with a photo. It could be about anything from a big anniversary to a new employee coming on board. Our newsletters are also posted on our website so this will not be just a fleeting message in an email. There are also paid advertisement placements in the newsletter as well.
Cost: Story submission is free, advertisement costs are dependent upon placement of the ad
Coupon Bank
On our website, you can upload a coupon for your business under the coupons page.
Cost: Free
TV Ads
We have a TV on display in the front window of the Chamber, and another TV in our lobby. You choose how long your advertisement will get played from our TVs, for a minimum of one month.
Cost: Between $150 and $900, dependent upon how long your ad is shown
Window Ads
Display your logo or advertisement with a decal on the windows of our office. Many people walk by the Chamber every day, so you will be advertising 24/7 with the purchase of one of these decals. Spaces are approximately 34 inches wide and 26 inches tall. Premium placements are higher up and 22 inches tall, 68 inches wide.
Cost: minimum $2,000 per space (one-year commitment), price dependent on size and placement
Job Postings
Post any job openings for your organization on our website’s job bank if you are a member.
Cost: Free
Ribbon Cuttings
If you are holding a Grand Opening, or a company Anniversary celebration, let us know and we can coordinate a ribbon cutting ceremony for you. These are a great way to invite the community to see your business and expand your network. We promote Grand Openings and Anniversaries for our members to try to get as many people as possible to attend.
Cost: Free
News Talk 103.7
We have a partnership program with News Talk 103.7, where our members can be featured on the radio during one of the station’s business-focused shows.
Cost: Free
Guest Speaking
You have the opportunity to be a guest speaker at our Chamber events. Let us know if you want to explore the options and determine which event would be best for you to speak at.
Cost: Free
As a member, you will get discounted or free registrations to our various Chamber events. Check our Chamber calendar for each event’s ticket pricing.
Our Annual Meeting is exclusively held for members only.
You also have the opportunity as a Chamber member to host a B.A.S.H. (Business and Social Hour), which is one of our most popular networking events. For details on this opportunity, please call Donna Mitchell at 301-739-2015 ext. 101.
These are created by members that form a partnership with the Chamber to offer fellow members discounts on their services.
Circles
A paid concierge service on a digital app platform, designed to help you get those random to-do list items done, whether it’s deep research or making a hard-to-get reservation.
- The more employees you have, the cheaper the service is.
- Offered through a partnership with TriBridge Partners.
APPI Energy
This organization is helping commercial businesses save on energy or utility bills. They will verify the accuracy of your bills, help you choose the best energy supplier, negotiate the lowest price and best contract terms for your business, and monitor for future cost-reducing opportunities.
Fiserv
This company helps you save money on data processing and clover sales terminals, which can be handheld or stationary.
LegalShield
This organization is offering legal and identity theft advice and services for a low monthly fee. They are also offering exclusive savings for Chamber members.
HCC Discount Contract Training
Hagerstown Community College is providing a discount of 10% on the cost of any contract training performed by its Workforce Solutions and Continuing Education division for active members of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce.
For further information, call Paul Frey at 301.739.2015 ext. 102.
A Certificate of Origin (CO) is required by some countries receiving products from the United States. Chamber members get The exporter should verify whether a CO is required. The Chamber can help you comply with international export regulations by issuing a Certificate of Origin.
To place an order or get more information, contact the Chamber at 301-739-2015 ext. 100.
Cost:
$6.00 for members
$60.00 for non-members