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Featured · Buoy CHAMP
Make open enrollment affordable.
$573.60estimated employer FICA savings a year, per enrollee
Estimate your savingsRun your team
For the self-employed
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Start with BuoyPEO
Resources
- FAQsWhat a PEO is, what it saves and how switching works
- Find a providerSelect "Find Provider" in the Choice Plus Network
- 2026 Health Coverage Affordability ReportThe data behind rising benefit costs
- CHAMP program overviewTax savings, workflows and care access
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Start with BuoyPEO
buoy Gig
Group benefits for the business of you.
For the self-employed, 1099 and gig. Buoy pays you a W-2 salary and files the taxes, with Buoy CHAMP included and access to a full benefit suite. You stay your own boss.
Why Gig PEO
Big-company benefits, without giving up your independence.
With over 81 million independent contractors, freelancers and gig workers in the U.S., traditional benefits usually leave solo workers behind. Independent workers face skyrocketing deductibles and premium shocks.
Gig PEO removes the traditional 50-employee barrier. You join the PEO as an employee of your own business, so a solo professional gets the group health benefits, workers' compensation and corporate-level tax structure that usually take a large company.
- a month for the Buoy Gig PEO fee
- $125
- minutes to apply
- ~12
- steps in the application
- 7
- documents to start
- 0
What you get
What comes with Gig PEO.
A W-2 salary, with taxes filed
Buoy pays you a W-2 salary and files the taxes. Payroll and tax administration are covered by your fee.
Buoy CHAMP, included
You enroll in it when you join. Buoy CHAMP is a Minimum Essential Coverage plan offered under a Section 125 arrangement. It is not major medical coverage and it is not a replacement for a major medical plan.
A full benefit suite
Access to a full benefit suite, including major medical and 401(k), with group-level medical, dental and vision options where eligible. You choose benefits for you and your family after you sign.
Workers' comp, managed
Workers' comp is required to join the PEO, and it's arranged for you. It's priced apart from your fee, as a rate on your payroll.
HR support and compliance
Your fee covers HR support, compliance and platform access, along with COBRA administration.
Legal insurance
Electable legal insurance, with access to licensed attorneys for personal matters including estate planning, family law, real estate and identity theft resolution.
How it works
Apply in about 12 minutes, with no documents to start.
- 01
Apply
Your personal information, monthly pay, company and industry, business bank account, workers' comp and health history. Then review and submit.
- 02
See your proposal
Your Buoy Gig PEO fee, payroll taxes, workers' comp and health benefits, line by line.
- 03
Sign and choose benefits
Sign your client service agreement (CSA) in the app. Right after you sign, choose benefits for you and your family.
- 04
Run your first payroll
Your first payroll is one extra run on a Tuesday to start your benefits. After that, you're on the monthly payroll on the 5th.
What it costs
$125 a month, and what's separate.
Your proposal sets out your final costs before you sign anything.
| Cost | Amount | How it's charged |
|---|---|---|
| Buoy Gig PEO fee | $125 a month. Payroll, HR desk and compliance | Per person, per month |
| Employer payroll taxes | FICA, FUTA and your state's SUTA | Passed through at cost |
| Workers' comp | Your rate, shown in your proposal | Rate × payroll |
| Health benefits | Chosen after you sign | Plan premium, paid by your business |
| 401(k) | Fees apply to the 401(k) itself | Billed separately from your fee |
What you need
Four things to join.
- 01
A registered business
Buoy PEO works with registered businesses. Not a business yet? We can help you form an LLC. Set up as an LLC but not an S corp yet? We can help you make the S corp election.
- 02
$25,000 in W-2 wages
You process at least $25,000 in W-2 wages a year through the PEO. Your income has to reach your business for the PEO to run your payroll.
- 03
A business bank account
It must be in your business's name. Payroll taxes, PEO fees and benefit costs are drawn from it, and we never deposit money into it. Don't have one? You can apply during your application.
- 04
Workers' comp
Coverage is required to join the PEO. Your answers fill the workers' comp application you authorize on Review.
Payroll
Payroll runs monthly, on the 5th.
Your first payroll is one extra run on a Tuesday to start your benefits. It only runs on the first three Tuesdays of the month, so join after the 3rd Tuesday and it's the 1st Tuesday of next month. The 5th after that is your first monthly payroll.
Your first payroll date is confirmed during enrollment. Running payroll once a month gives you greater control over cash flow and the movement of funds between your personal and business accounts.
Choose your path
Self-employed, or running a team?
I'm self-employed, 1099 or gig
Gig PEO: group benefits for the business of you.
- Your payBuoy pays you a W-2 salary and files the taxes.
- Your benefitsBuoy CHAMP included, plus access to a full benefit suite, including major medical and 401(k).
I have employees on payroll
Buoy PEO: payroll, benefits and HR for your whole team.
- Your teamPayroll, payroll taxes and onboarding for your W-2 team, with HR support and compliance.
- Your benefitsBuoy CHAMP included, plus access to a full benefit suite, including major medical and 401(k).
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Who is Gig PEO for?
Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers: independent contractors, freelancers and other eligible independent business owners.
Can I join if I work alone?
Yes. Gig PEO removes the traditional 50-employee barrier, so solo professionals can access group benefits and workers' comp.
Do I stop being my own boss?
No. You join the PEO as an employee of your own business. Buoy pays you a W-2 salary and files the taxes, and you remain your own boss.
What if I don't have a business yet?
We can help you form an LLC. If you're set up as an LLC but not an S corp yet, we can help you make the S corp election.
What do I need to start the application?
No documents to start. It takes about 12 minutes. At the bank step, a bank letter or voided check is optional at first.
When is my first payroll?
Your first payroll is one extra run on the next of the month's first three Tuesdays, to start your benefits. After that, payroll runs monthly on the 5th.
Is Buoy CHAMP major medical?
No. Buoy CHAMP is a Minimum Essential Coverage plan offered under a Section 125 arrangement. It is not major medical coverage and it is not a replacement for a major medical plan. Major medical is available in the benefit suite.
Solutions
More from BuoyPEO.
Run your team
For the self-employed
Get group benefits for the business of you.
Apply in about 12 minutes, with no documents to start.