Rhode Island is joining the list of states providing a state-run plan that affords private-sector employees retirement plan coverage if their employers do not.

Gov. Daniel McKee (D) signed the Rhode Island Secure Choice Retirement Savings Program Act into law.

Rhode Island Secure Choice will provide retirement plan coverage for eligible employees age 18 and over who work for an employer with five or more employees that does not offer a plan. Through Secure Choice, employees will contribute to a payroll-deduction IRA. They will be automatically enrolled but can opt-out.

The timetable by which employers who have no plan, will have to enroll employees in the program is as follows:

• Employers with more than 100 employees: within one year of the opening of the program

• Employers with more than 50 employees: within two years of the opening of the program

• All other employers: within three years of the opening of the program.