--- title: Sustainable 401(k) Plans for Employers | Carbon Collective | Zach Stein description: Looking for a sustainable 401(k)? Carbon Collective divests from fossil fuels and reinvests in climate solutions with our low-fee, diversified portfolios. --- [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo.53b28bee.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) Talk to a human [Sign up](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/waitlist) [![Carbon collective](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/CarbonCollective_August2021%20copy/images/carbon-collective-green-investing-logo.53b28bee.svg "Carbon collective")](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/) - About - Employers - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - [401(k) Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/plan-comparison-tool) - Individuals - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [ETF](https://www.carboncollectivefunds.com/) - Learn - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - [Blog](https://blog.carboncollective.co/) - [Tools](https://tools.carboncollective.co/calculator/) - Log in - [Carbon Collective](https://app.carboncollective.co) - [Altruist](https://app.altruist.com) Talk to a human [Sign up](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/waitlist) # Sustainable 401(k)s Enable employees at your company to save for retirement in low-fee, diversified, mission-driven portfolios. ![sustainable 401k payroll providers](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/401k/Transfer%20Bar.Desktop.svg) ![sustainable 401k payroll providers](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/401k/Transfer%20Bar.Tablet.svg) ![sustainable 401k payroll providers](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/401k/Transfer%20Bar.Mobile.svg) - Sustainable - Simple - Affordable [Book a Free Strategy Session](https://www.carboncollective.co/401k-strategy-call) - ![brand-forbes.bf31b6a6](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/brand-forbes.bf31b6a6.svg) - ![brand-greentechmedia.3807d56c](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/brand-greentechmedia.3807d56c.svg) - ![brand-my-climate-journey.7cfb7f8a](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/brand-my-climate-journey.7cfb7f8a.svg) - ![Bloomberg](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Bloomberg.png) - ![Fast Company-1](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Fast%20Company-1.png) - ![Axios](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Axios.png) - ![GreenBiz](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/GreenBiz.png) ### Your company is mission-driven. *Shouldn't your 401(k) be too?* #### ~20% of the US stock market is fueling climate change From coal, to fracking, to petrochemicals, your ownership of these companies helps keep these dirty industries running. ![divest brand](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/divest-brand1.bf0c653b.svg) ![divest-brand2.cf368062](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/divest-brand2.cf368062.svg) ![divest-brand3.db64252c](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/divest-brand3.db64252c.svg) ![divest-brand4.b8b2eee9](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/divest-brand4.b8b2eee9.svg) #### 100’s of companies are building climate solutions We replace the companies making climate change worse with the companies building climate solutions. ![SunRun-Solar](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/reinvest-brand1.fe0d6ec3.svg) ![Carrier-Heat_pumps](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/reinvest-brand5.svg) ![PlugPower-Hydrogen](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/reinvest-brand2.e7d40a42.svg) ![reinvest-brand4.f3abe7f5](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/reinvest-brand4.f3abe7f5.svg) #### ~80% of the US stock market could decarbonize Without changing their core businesses. We pressure these companies to switch to 100% clean energy, electric vehicles, and more. ![CocaCola](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/CarbonCollective_August2021/images/CocaCola-new-1.png) ![Nike](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/pressure-brand2.9f94cb68.svg) ![Starbucks loading=](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/pressure-brand3.c81df9f9.svg) ![pressure-brand4.e2aafdf2](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/pressure-brand4.e2aafdf2.svg) [Schedule a time to talk](https://www.videoask.com/fvvhki7i8) ![green 401ks plans](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/transfer-icon.svg) ## Green 401(k) portfolios: Built for retirement. Our climate-focused 401(k) portfolios are built to go head-to-head with standard retirement portfolios:  01 Diversified Carbon Collective's 401(k) portfolios cover over 80% of the US stocks by market cap. 02 Low-Fee Even though we're green, our management fee is the same as generic online investment advisors.  03 Competitive Performing Our climate-focused strategy is built to replace traditional index-based portfolios. [Schedule a free strategy session](https://www.carboncollective.co/401k-strategy-call) ## Offer a range of portfolios to your team: ![Funds feesDesk](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Funds%20feesDesk.svg) ![Group 523](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Group%20523.svg) ![Group 524Tab](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Group%20524Tab.svg) ![Group 525Mob](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Group%20525Mob.svg) Why do we include generic portfolios? A) We are required to in order to fulfill our fiduciary responsibility. B) That would be falling into the same problem of existing plans: there aren't enough options. You want to give your team options for how they want to individually save for retirement, not choose for them.  ![Union-icon](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/CarbonCollective_August2021/images/Union-icon.png) **Average Fund Fees: **Carbon Collective's fund fees range from 0.17% - 0.23%. Vanguard's ESG from 0.11% - 0.13%. Vanguard Target Retirement Date Mutual Funds are all 0.15%.  **Climate Solutions: **The % of the portfolio is made of companies Carbon Collective has identified as climate solutions companies in the Climate Index.  **Fossil Fuels: **The % of assets flagged as fossil fuel stocks by [FossilFreeFunds.org](https://www.fossilfreefunds.org). Vanguard ESG is 1.09% fossil fuel companies.  ![info-icon](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/info-icon.svg) All made easy with: Simple pricing & automated contributions #### -->We work with some of the top 401(k) providers: [Vanguard](https://institutional.vanguard.com/home), [ADP](https://www.adp.com/), [Vestwell](https://www.vestwell.com/) & [Ubiquity](https://www.myubiquity.com/) - They work with over 25,000 businesses like yours. - They integrate with your payroll + provide a software portal for you and your employees. - It's your choice whether to set up employer contributions [Learn more](https://www.carboncollective.co/401k-strategy-call) ![Logotypesdesktop](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Logotypesdesktop.svg) ![Integratestablet](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/Integratestablet.svg) ![LogotypesMobile](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/LogotypesMobile.svg) ## What clients are saying about Carbon Collective ![sustainable 401k](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/401k/DS_SS_Large_ElectricBlue.png) The Carbon Collective team was highly professional and knowledgeable. They helped us to launch [DroneSeed’s](https://droneseed.com/) first-ever retirement savings plan. Carbon Collective worked with all the proper parties involved with setting up a 401(k) plan to deliver exactly what we needed. We're excited to go into the second year of working with Carbon Collective, and to continue to achieve the mission together of mitigating the worst effects of climate change through investing! ![623392ffb74b4a05ebeb5a19_primary_cplogo_fulldark (2) copy](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/401k/623392ffb74b4a05ebeb5a19_primary_cplogo_fulldark%20(2)%20copy.png) The team at [Climate People](https://www.climatepeople.com/blog/carbon-collective-case-study) works tirelessly to reverse the harms of climate change through our every-day work. We are thrilled to partner with Carbon Collective because they give us the opportunity to ‘put our money where our mouth is’ and invest in a future that directly aligns with our sustainability initiatives. ![full logo jpg](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/401k/full%20logo%20jpg.jpg) When implementing [my company's](https://trulybookkeeping.com/) new 401(k) plan, I expected to feel overwhelmed and confused. Instead, the team at Carbon Collective helped me to feel informed and organized throughout the process. They are personable and responsive and passionate about the importance of using our collective dollars to positively affect change for our world. I see them as leaders in the industry and I'm thankful for their partnership in this endeavor. ## Learn more about sustainable 401(k) plans: ### > [Download the 401(k) Plan Comparison Tool](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k-plan-comparison-tool) > [ESG 401(k) Portfolios](https://www.carboncollective.co/esg-401k-portfolios) > [Switching 401(k) Providers: Timeline & Process](https://www.carboncollective.co/401k-employer-switching-401k-providers-process) > [How Much Does a 401(k) Plan Cost Employers?](https://www.carboncollective.co/401k-plan-cost-employers) > [401(k) Payroll Integration](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k-payroll-integration) ## Sustainable 401ks w/ Carbon Collective: Common Questions What are the sustainable 401(k) fees? **Platform Fee: **Vestwell and Ubiquity both charge a flat platform fee plus a fee per employee per month. The exact amount depends on the size of your company and complexity of your plan.   **Management Fee: **Carbon Collective charges our standard management fee of 0.25% of all assets under management per year. Learn [how much a green 401(k) plan will cost your company](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k-plan-cost-employers). How do the sustainable 401(k) plan fees compare? If you shop around, you'll find that most of the 401(k) platforms for SMBs charge a similar amount. The range between them isn't that big. Even with Carbon Collective's management fee, we've found the total you'll pay in working with us is somewhere in the middle of the range: higher than some and lower than others, but pretty close to everyone.   Any green 401(k) tax credits? Yes! Assuming you're starting a new 401(k) plan. The federal government in 2019 added new incentives (you can read about them [here](https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-startup-costs-tax-credit)).  The tax credit you'll receive depends on the specific nature of your company. If you have questions on this front, we suggest you contact a tax professional  Are there ONLY green 401(k) portfolio options? Nope! We include a range of [portfolio options](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/esg-401k-portfolios) from standard index-tracking to ESG to climate-impact. We don't want to tell you or your team how to invest, but we do want to give them options.  I have an existing plan. Can I just add Carbon Collective? Not yet. For now, the only way for us to offer our green 401(k) portfolio lineup is to have your plan hosted by one of our partner 401(k) platforms.      ![Join our weekly webinar](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/carbon-collective-green-investing-icon-webinar.12af7b6e.svg) ### Learn About Our Robo-Advisor Looking to open an account for yourself? Check out our climate-impact portfolios. [Learn More](https://www.carboncollective.co) ![carbon-collective-green-investing-icon-demo.6ed28722](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/carbon-collective-green-investing-icon-demo.6ed28722.svg) ### Get Started Today Answer a few questions about your company and we'll schedule a time to go over what costs and tax credits you can expect. [Learn More](https://www.videoask.com/fvvhki7i8) ![Talk To A Human](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/carbon-collective-green-investing-icon-chat.49d48c5b.svg) ### Ask us a Question Joining a new investment service can be intimidating. We’re here for you. Click below to email us a question or book a quick call. Ask a Question ![close-typeform](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhEQARAIAAAODn7P///yH5BAEHAAEALAAAAAARABEAAAIqBIKpab3v3EMyVHWtWZluf0za0XFNKDJfCq5i5JpomdUxqKLQVmInqyoAADs=) - Portfolios - [Performance](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/returns) - About - [Sustainable 401(k)](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k) - Learn - [FAQ](https://www.carboncollective.co/en/knowledge/faqs) - [Sustainable Investing](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing) - [Investing Basics](https://www.carboncollective.co/sustainable-investing/investing-basics) - Contact - [Contact us](mailto:hello@carboncollective.co) - [Legal](https://www.carboncollective.co/legal) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/hubfs/2022-11%20Carbon%20Collective%20Privacy%20Policy.pdf) - [Back to top](https://www.carboncollectiveinvesting.com/401k/author/zach-stein#top-of-page) DISCLAIMERS: Advisory services provided by Carbon Collective Investment LLC (“Carbon Collective"), an SEC-registered investment adviser. A copy of Carbon Collective's current written disclosure statement discussing Carbon Collective’s business operations, services, and fees is available at the SEC’s investment adviser public information website – [www.adviserinfo.sec.gov](https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/310129) or [our legal documents here](https://blog.carboncollective.co/legal-documents/). The articles and research support materials available on this site are educational and are not intended to be investment or tax advice. Carbon Collective does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to Carbon Collective’s web site or incorporated herein, and takes no responsibility therefor. All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Investments in securities: Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value. Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and Carbon Collective's charges and expenses. Carbon Collective's internet-based advisory services are designed to assist clients in achieving discrete financial goals. They are not intended to provide comprehensive tax advice or financial planning with respect to every aspect of a client's financial situation and do not incorporate specific investments that clients hold elsewhere. For more details, see our Form CRS, Form ADV Part 2 and other disclosures. Past performance does not guarantee future results, and the likelihood of investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature. Not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities in jurisdictions where Carbon Collective is not registered. © 2026 Carbon Collective Corporation. 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