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The Buffalo Niagara Partnership recently convened business leaders from across the region for an in-depth information session on New York State’s newly announced Secure Choice Savings Program. This significant policy initiative will impact many private-sector employers in the years ahead.

The session was designed to provide clarity, context and practical guidance as employers begin to assess whether, and how, the new program applies to their organizations. As with any new state-mandated initiative, early understanding and thoughtful planning will be key to successful implementation.

The BNP extends its sincere thanks to CTBK and Bene-Care for sponsoring this important discussion and lending their expertise to the program.

CTBK, an accounting and advisory firm with more than 30 years of experience serving Western New York, provides comprehensive services to help businesses navigate an increasingly complex regulatory and financial environment. Bene-Care, a full-service human capital management firm, has supported Upstate New York employers for more than 50 years with integrated payroll, insurance, and HR solutions.

Both organizations played an essential role in helping attendees understand Secure Choice from practical, employer-focused perspectives.

What is the Secure Choice Savings Program?

Recently announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul, the Secure Choice Savings Program is a state-sponsored retirement savings option aimed at private-sector employees who do not currently have access to a retirement plan through their employer.

The program requires certain employers to register with the state and facilitate employee participation if they meet all of the following criteria:

• The business had at least 10 employees in the previous calendar year
• The business has been operating for two or more years
• The business does not already offer a qualified retirement plan

While the program does not require employers to contribute financially, it does place new administrative responsibilities on covered businesses. The session emphasized that understanding these obligations early will help employers avoid compliance challenges and unnecessary disruption.

Payroll, planning & long-term impact

To explore the program in greater depth, the BNP welcomed a knowledgeable panel representing government, payroll and advisory perspectives:

• Brian Frierson, HCM Sales Manager, Bene-Care
• Gregg Gallson, Director of CTBK Advisory Services & Partner, CTBK
• Josh Veronica, Director of Government Affairs, Buffalo Niagara Partnership

The panel began by discussing why the state created Secure Choice, noting that a significant portion of the workforce – particularly in small and mid-sized businesses – lacks access to retirement savings vehicles. Auto-enrollment programs like Secure Choice are intended to close that gap by making participation easy and automatic for employees.

From an employer standpoint, the panelists walked through the basic mechanics of the program, including registration, payroll deduction requirements and employee communication. Employers will be responsible for enrolling eligible employees, facilitating payroll deductions and maintaining accurate contribution settings, while employees retain the ability to opt out or adjust their contribution rate from the default 3%.

Brian Frierson highlighted the importance of early coordination with payroll providers, noting that accurate setup and ongoing monitoring will be essential to ensure deductions are handled correctly as the program becomes operational.

Gregg Gallson provided a broader planning and advisory perspective, discussing how Secure Choice may reshape the retirement landscape for workers who previously had no access to employer-facilitated savings. He emphasized the behavioral finance benefits of auto-enrollment, particularly for lower- and middle-income workers, where default participation can significantly improve long-term savings outcomes.