A Guide to Self-Employed Retirement
As a business owner, you're building a company and your future. But most of the business owners I work with are leaving behind serious savings by using the wrong retirement plan (or worse, no plan at all).
Here's how to choose the right retirement plan that maximizes your tax savings while building long-term wealth.
The 3 Options
SEP IRA
- Contribution limit: Up to 25% of net earnings or $70,000, whichever is less
- Perfect for: High-income solo business owners who want simplicity
- Setup hassle: Minimal; one form and you're done
- Catch: If you have employees, you must contribute the same percentage for them as yourself
Solo 401(k)
- Contribution limit: Up to $70,000 for 2025 ($77,500 if you're 50+)
- Perfect for: Solo owners or just you and your spouse
- Setup hassle: Moderate; you’ll work with a provider through the process
- Catch: More paperwork and setup costs than a SEP; not allowed if you have non-spouse employees
Traditional IRA
- Contribution limit: $7,000 for 2025 ($8,000 if 50+)
- Perfect for: Starting out or supplementing another plan
- Setup hassle: None; open an account and go
- Catch: Low contribution limits compared to other options
Why Solo 401(k)s Win for Most Owners
Here's what makes Solo 401(k)s the standout choice:
- Higher contribution limits: You can sock away more money, faster. As both the employer and employee, you can contribute up to $70,000 in 2025.
- Roth option: Unlike SEP IRAs, Solo 401(k)s let you make after-tax Roth contributions for tax-free growth.
- Loan provisions: You can borrow up to 50% of your balance (max $50,000) if needed.
- S-Corp Note: With a SEP IRA, contributions are limited to 25% of your W-2 salary. To max out, you'd need to pay yourself a very high salary—raising payroll tax costs. A Solo 401(k) lets you contribute both as an employee (up to $23,000) and as the employer (up to 25% of wages). That means you can contribute more at lower salary levels, making it more efficient and tax-friendly for S-Corp owners.
When to Choose a SEP IRA Instead
Sometimes a SEP IRA makes more sense:
- You want a dead-simple setup: One form (5305-SEP) and you're done.
- Your income is irregular: No pressure to contribute in lean years.
- You have a side business: SEPs work well alongside a day job's 401(k).
The Tax Magic of Retirement Plans
Here's what most owners miss: the right retirement plan means more than saving for the future. You can start saving big on taxes now.
Let's look at anexample:
Sarah’s S-Corp earns $150,000 in net profit, and she pays herself $80,000 in W-2 wages.
With a SEP IRA, the business can contribute 25% of her wages, or $20,000, as a deductible employer expense. This reduces the S-Corp’s taxable income by $20,000.
With a Solo 401(k), the business deducts up to $20,000 as the employer portion—just like the SEP—but Sarah can also defer $23,000 as the employee, which doesn’t reduce the business’s taxable income but lowers her personal taxable income. The $20,000 employer contribution still reduces the S-Corp’s taxable income.
Net result: The Solo 401(k) still provides the full $20,000 deduction to the business, just like the SEP, but allows Sarah to save even more on her personal taxes—making it the more powerful overall tax-saving tool.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting too long: Every year you delay costs you both tax savings and compound growth.
- Using the wrong plan: Many owners stick with a Traditional IRA when they could contribute 10x more to a Solo 401(k).
- Missing catch-up contributions: If you're 50+, you can save thousands more. Use it.
- Forgetting about spouses: Working spouses can contribute too, potentially doubling your tax savings.
The Bottom Line
The best retirement plan is the one you'll actually use. But for most self-employed business owners making good money, a Solo 401(k) is hard to beat. The combination of high contribution limits, tax flexibility, and loan provisions makes it the ideal choice for serious wealth building.
Don't wait for "someday" to start saving. Every year you delay is money you're leaving behind, both in tax savings today and compound growth tomorrow.
Ready to stop overpaying taxes and build serious wealth?
Let's create your perfect retirement strategy together. Our team will analyze your full financial picture and put together a plan to maximize both tax savings and long-term wealth. Schedule a call today!