Guideline has been acquired by Gusto

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Acquisition communication & phishing-like concerns

  • Several commenters describe the initial “Accrue401k” email as indistinguishable from a targeted phishing attempt: new domain, unfamiliar brand, login request, and no prior mention of Accrue.
  • Some people had earlier, clearer communications about the Guideline–Gusto deal, especially where Gusto was already the payroll provider; others say this email was the first they’d heard of any acquisition.
  • Confusion is heightened because the FAQ was first seen on the new Accrue-branded site; users had to hunt to find the same info on the familiar Guideline domain.

Branding, UX, and security norms in finance

  • Commenters generalize this to a broader pattern: 401k, mortgage, and benefits providers constantly change servicers and web domains with weak communication, effectively “training” users to ignore phishing best practices.
  • Jokes about rebrands and made‑up SaaS names underscore the absurdity of expecting users to trust random new financial URLs.

What happens to Guideline accounts

  • Rough community understanding:
    • Customers that used both Gusto payroll and Guideline were migrated into Gusto’s own 401k offering.
    • Remaining Guideline accounts are being served under the new Accrue401k branding, with essentially the same dashboard.
  • Some suspect the timing of the public messaging may be related to a corporate‑espionage lawsuit referenced in the thread, though this is speculative.

Rollovers vs leaving money in old 401(k)s

  • One camp: always roll old plans to an IRA or current employer plan for simplicity and control; the rollover process is described as annoyingly archaic but manageable.
  • Counterpoints:
    • Old plans sometimes have better or cheaper institutional funds than retail IRAs.
    • Some providers charge exit or maintenance fees, or make rollovers extremely hard.
    • Keeping funds in a 401k (vs IRA) can preserve better creditor/bankruptcy protection and flexibility for backdoor Roth strategies.

Backdoor Roth, solo 401k, and tax mechanics

  • Long subthread on backdoor Roth IRA rules, the pro‑rata rule, and when existing traditional IRAs make the maneuver unattractive.
  • Suggestions include using solo 401ks to park pre‑tax assets and preserve Roth options, but others push back on the complexity and compliance burden.
  • Disagreement over how valuable backdoor Roths really are versus straightforward pre‑tax saving, given uncertain future tax rates.

Experiences with Gusto, Guideline, and alternatives

  • Mixed views on Gusto: some report years of trouble‑free small‑business payroll; others recount repeated payroll errors, offshore or LLM‑generated support, and poor responsiveness.
  • Multiple negative anecdotes about Guideline:
    • Alleged FSA/HSA handling that contradicts IRS/ERISA guidance (fiduciary‑duty concerns, though not independently verified in the thread).
    • A bankruptcy case where Guideline reportedly ignored a trustee’s freeze request until forced by court order.
  • Several commenters prefer Fidelity/Vanguard for HSA/401k when feasible, but note these big providers often price out very small employers, pushing startups toward vendors like Gusto/Guideline despite higher fees or weaker tooling.
  • Some small‑company admins share fee comparisons showing Guideline can be cheaper for employees than Fidelity at small scale, and highlight features like profit‑sharing up to the higher 401k annual limits.