Payroll Tax Savings for Retail & Franchise Employers
Help Retain Staff, Offer Better Benefits, and Save on Payroll Taxes — Without Spending More
Retail is tough right now.
You’re managing turnover, thin margins, and rising expectations — not just from customers, but from your team. It’s harder than ever to find and keep reliable staff, especially when you’re competing against bigger brands or franchises with deeper pockets.
But here’s what most retail and franchise operators don’t realize:
You can offer your W2 employees a real, year-round benefit —
And you can reduce your payroll tax burden while doing it —
At zero net cost to your business.
It’s called a Preventive Care Management Plan (PCMP), and when set up correctly, it’s 100% IRS- and ACA-compliant.
What Is It?
A PCMP is a pre-tax wellness benefit plan that gives employees access to:
24/7 virtual telehealth & behavioral health support
Preventive services like screenings, wellness coaching, and nutrition guidance
Programs for mental health, stress, and substance-use support
Tools they can access on their phone — no copays, no waiting rooms
It’s not medical insurance. It’s a fully managed benefit that creates roughly $600–$800 in FICA tax savings per W2 employee, per year — while employees receive the full value of the benefit at no cost to them.
Real-World Franchise Example
Let’s say you operate four franchised locations of a quick-service chain, with 15–20 W2 employees at each.
60 employees × $600 = $36,000/year in recovered payroll tax
If you operate a regional retail chain with 100–150 employees across stores?
$60,000–$90,000/year — without reducing hours, laying off staff, or changing insurance.
This savings is realized with every payroll cycle — not as a year-end credit or rebate.
Why Retailers and Franchises Love This Model
1. It Helps You Compete Without Raising Wages
You don’t have to outpay the competition to retain staff. Offering a simple, no-cost wellness benefit adds value to your comp package — and gives you an edge when hiring.
2. It Works for Hourly, Part-Time, and Seasonal W2 Employees
The PCMP structure is specifically designed for W2 employees who don’t often qualify for traditional benefits — think retail associates, shift leaders, and store staff.
Whether someone’s working 15 or 35 hours a week, you can include them.
3. It Doesn't Disrupt Existing Insurance
Already offering a MEC plan or basic coverage to full-time staff? No problem — this layers alongside what you already provide, with no changes to insurance, ACA status, or reporting.
Don’t offer any health coverage? That’s okay too — the PCMP is standalone and compliant on its own.
4. It Scales Seamlessly Across Locations
Whether you manage a single shop or 25 stores across 3 states, the plan is centrally administered. We coordinate implementation, payroll integration, and employee communication — you don’t need to manage it at the store level.
Is This Legitimate?
Yes — absolutely. The PCMP model is rooted in IRS Section 125 and ACA guidance. It’s used by retailers, manufacturers, contractors, logistics companies, and service firms across the country.
Ficava only partners with vendors who:
Provide complete plan documentation
Deliver and verify benefit services to employees
Handle all reimbursements and payroll syncing
Ensure ongoing legal and tax compliance
This is not a fringe tactic or workaround — it’s a formal, compliant benefit structure.
Retail Owner FAQs
Q: Do employees give up part of their paycheck to participate?
A: No. There’s a payroll adjustment and an immediate reimbursement — their take-home pay doesn’t drop.
Q: Will this confuse store managers or cause extra HR work?
A: Not at all. Implementation is handled centrally, and employees are supported directly by the PCMP provider.
Q: Can I offer it just at one location to test it?
A: Yes — some employers start with a pilot location, then roll it out system-wide once they see the savings.
At a Glance
What you gain:
~$600+/employee/year in FICA savings
Better retention & morale
Administered for you
What it costs:
$0 net cost
No disruption to payroll
No insurance requirement
Let’s Run the Numbers for Your Locations
Whether you run a single retail shop, a local franchise, or a regional chain, if you have W2 employees, you could be saving thousands in payroll tax while offering something that helps your team feel supported and stay longer.