Small Business Retirement Plans— SIMPLE, SEP-IRA and SOLO 401(k)

Jan 21

Small companies shouldn’t forgo retirement savings just because a 401(k) plan can be expensive to set up and maintain. There are options specifically for smaller businesses: a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) plan, a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan, and a SOLO 401 (k).

If your company has more employees than just you and your spouse, you may want to consider either a SIMPLE IRA or a SEP-IRA. The plans have similarities and a few differences that must be considered when deciding between the two. Knowing the details of each type can help you decide which is the best choice for you, or which to offer your employees if you own a small business.

They’re Called SIMPLE Plans for a Reason

The SIMPLE IRA enables employees and employers to contribute to Traditional IRAs—they cannot be Roth IRAs—expressly set up for employees. The plan is more cost-effective for a small company (typically... ...