PEO Guides

Plain-English answers, honest math, no jargon. Updated July 2026.

Start here

• What is a PEO? — co-employment explained in plain English: how pooling works, who it's for, and the questions everyone asks.
• How much does a PEO cost? — real 2026 pricing: per-employee fees vs. percentage of payroll, what's included, and worked examples.
• PEO pros and cons: the honest list — including the downsides the brochures skip, and who shouldn't join one.

Compare your options

• PEO vs. payroll software — the headcount tipping point where Gusto/ADP Run stops being enough.
• PEO vs. ASO — co-employment vs. admin-only, and the one question that decides it.
• How to choose the best PEO — national vs. regional, the six things to compare, and the red flags.

Feeling the pain? Start with your symptom

• Why did my health insurance go up again? — the real math behind small-group renewal increases, and the four ways to fight back.
• Hiring an employee in another state? — everything one remote hire triggers, and the multi-state shortcut.
• Am I overpaying for benefits? — three signs, plus a 30-second savings calculator.

State-by-state guides

• Texas — the optional workers' comp decision, and why it changes the PEO math.
• Florida — the industry's home turf: comp rules by headcount, seasonal payroll, hurricane continuity.
• California — the toughest employment-law stack in America, and where PEO value actually sits.
• New York — DBL, Paid Family Leave, and the NYC layer.
• New Jersey — TDI, FLI, sick leave, and the tri-state wrinkle.
• Pennsylvania — America's messiest local payroll taxes, explained.