Employee Stock Ownership Plans

As a business owner, you may want to provide your employees with retirement benefits and a shared stake in your company's success, while establishing a succession plan for your business.


We're here to help understand whether an ESOP can be right for your business. Together, with Principal®, we can help provide expertise and support you in setting up a plan that offers retirement savings primarily through employer stock and establishes an employee-owned company.


What makes an ESOP different?


An ESOP is a retirement benefit. But it's different than a 401(k) or pension plan.



  • It's an exclusive option for C- and S-corporations.
  • Assets are primarily invested in company stock.
  • It gives you a flexible way to sell all or part of your business.



For business owners, an ESOP can be a valuable piece of a succession plan. It can facilitate an efficient ownership transfer, letting you leave a legacy when you reach retirement or leave your company. You can exit on your timeline, not an outside buyer's requirement.