A Simple Guide to CalSavers for Household Employers

Poppins Payroll

November 5, 2025

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-- min read

What is CalSavers?

CalSavers is a retirement savings program run by the state of California. It’s designed to help employees save for retirement through automatic payroll deductions, at no cost to the employer.

CalSavers is a Roth IRA (Individual Retirement Account) funded entirely by employees. Employers are not allowed to make contributions. Your only role is to register, set up the employer account, and remit employee contributions for every pay period.

Important Deadline: December 31, 2025

If you employed at least one W-2 household employee in 2024, California requires you to register or certify an exemption with CalSavers by December 31, 2025.

✋ Hired your first employee in 2025? You are not subject to this requirement and have no action needed for now.

If you didn’t employ anyone in 2024 and hired your first W-2 household employee in 2025, you do not need to register by December 31, 2025. CalSavers will contact you next year with your specific deadline and instructions. No action is required from you right now.

Steps to Complete CalSavers (Full Overview)

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what to do, when to do it, and how it all works:

Step 1: Register with CalSavers (by December 31, 2025)

What to do
Visit the CalSavers employer registration page and enter the following information:

FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number)
California payroll tax number (EDD)
CalSavers access code – this was sent to your mailing address on file with EDD. If you don’t have it, call 855-650-6916 to request it again.

TIP: You’ll find your FEIN and EDD numbers inside your Poppins account under:
Settings → My Account → Account Numbers

Step 2: Add Your Employee(s) (within 30 days of registering)

Once registered:

Log into your CalSavers account
Upload your employee roster using their template or enter information manually
You’ll need this info for each employee:
- Full name
- SSN/ITIN
- Date of birth
- Physical address
- Phone number
- Email address

Poppins makes this easy, just go to: Settings → Employee Info → General Info to view your employee’s details (except SSN/ITIN, which you can find on their W-4 or I-9 form).

Step 3: Employee Action (30 days to enroll or opt out)

After Step 2, CalSavers will email your employee(s) directly.
Within 30 days of step 2, employees must decide on their CalSavers participation. They can:

Enroll → and start saving automatically
Opt out → and skip the program entirely

Important: If employees do nothing within the 30 day period, they’ll be automatically enrolled at 5% of their wages deducted each pay period.

Step 4: Set Up Your Bank Info and Start Deductions

Once your employee's 30-day decision window closes (they’ve enrolled or been auto-enrolled):

Add Your Bank Account to CalSavers

CalSavers will email you when it’s time to start making contributions. Before your next payroll:

Log in to your CalSavers employer portal
Add your bank account and routing number
This is the account from which you’ll remit contributions each pay period

Add the Employee’s Contribution to Their Poppins Profile

Poppins will list the exact dollar amount of the deduction on your employee’s paystub — but you’ll need to tell us what percent to deduct:

Go to Settings → Employee Info → Pay Settings
Enter the CalSavers Contribution Percentage (typically 5% unless your employee opts for more/less)
Poppins will now automatically include the contribution in each paystub

Reminder: Poppins will calculate and display the deduction each pay period — but we do not submit payments to CalSavers on your behalf.

Step 5: Submit Contributions Every Pay Period

Here’s how ongoing submissions work, starting with your first deduction:

First Payroll Deduction

Your first CalSavers deduction should occur in the first pay period after the employee’s 30-day enrollment window ends
In Poppins, you’ll still pay employees the net amount (after the CalSavers deduction)
Separately, log into CalSavers to submit the deducted amount (within 7 days of your employee's pay date)

Each Pay Period After That

After each payroll run, Poppins will show the deduction amount on the paystub
You’ll log in to CalSavers to remit contributions within 7 business days of the pay date
If employees change their contribution rate or opt out, CalSavers will email you directly. You’ll update their payroll settings in Poppins to match

If Employment Ends

Withhold the final contribution on the last paycheck
Submit it through CalSavers like usual
Then, in the portal, mark the employee as “inactive” to end future deductions

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Poppins register or submit contributions to CalSavers for me?
No. As of now, employers handle both registration and contribution payments directly with CalSavers, but we’ll point you to the information you need.

Do paystubs reflect CalSavers deductions?
Yes, Poppins will show the correct employee deductions on every paystub.

What about other retirement plans?
You can add custom deductions in Poppins for other retirement plans you manage.

Does my employee get a portal to view their deductions?

Yes. CalSavers provides an online account where employees can track their savings. If you and your employee decide to part ways, employees maintain ownership of their CalSavers account and take it with them to their next job.

Can I add Poppins Payroll as my payroll provider in the CalSavers portal?

No. You must submit the deductions yourself through CalSavers.

My employee doesn’t want this. What do I do?

Employees can choose to opt out, but they must do so in the CalSavers portal within 30 days of being added to the employee roster (step 2). They can opt out online through the CalSavers website, by calling the automated line at 855-650-6918, or by mailing a paper form. Note: Only employees can opt out for themselves, employers can’t opt out on their behalf.

What if I already offer a retirement plan?

In this case, you're exempt from this requirement, but you still have to certify your exemption inside CalSavers using your FEIN, EDD, and access code.

What if I had an employee in 2024, but ended employment in 2025?

You can request an exemption due to no longer having active employees. Email calsavers@treasurer.ca.gov with subject: “CalSavers Exemption Request – Company Closed (Your Company Name)” and include:

A signed letter from the employer stating: employer name, EIN, and the exemption reason: “No longer have active employees for 2025 and moving forward.”
A copy of the DE 1 Change of Business form (EDD). Download: https://edd.ca.gov/siteassets/files/pdf_pub_ctr/de1.pdf

CalSavers may request additional information; keep your records handy.

What happens if I don’t register?

The state may fine you: