This self-employment retirement plan account comparison has been updated with information for the 2023 & 2024 tax years. My search for the best self-employment income retirement account started with this: while completing my tax return in prior years, I started noticing that I would have a not-insignificant tax bill due from self-employment, 1099, and side project income unless I found a way to reduce my taxable income. This was especially true for a number of years when I was receiving full-time employment income on top of side-project income.
Our (Mrs. 20SF and I file jointly) income levels were above the IRA contribution limits, so we could not contribute to a Traditional IRA. And contributing to a Roth IRA (after-tax) would have defeated the whole purpose of reducing our taxable income.
So, after a number of years of running this site and having (mostly tiny) side self-employment income beyond my day job, I decided to look in to retirement plans for self-employment income. “Self-employment” is a big word, but any sort of income you get from projects, 1099s, businesses, side income, real estate income, etc. could apply.
I found three retirement plan options for self-employment income, which I’ve highlighted in-depth separately in the following articles:
- SEP IRA
- Solo 401K (AKA a “one-participant 401K” or “individual 401K”)
- SIMPLE IRA
In today’s article, I’ll chart the differences between the three for a full comparison to help you determine the best self-employment retirement plan for you.
Note: I also have done a separate ranking of the best retirement accounts for non-self employment income that you may want to also check out.
Self-Employed Retirement Plan Comparison (Updated for 2023 & 2024)
Before I explain which plan(s) I chose to create and why, I compiled a chart that compares the self-employed retirement account options against each other, updated for the 2023 and 2024 tax years.
| SEP IRA | Solo 401K | SIMPLE IRA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility Requirements | Age 21 or older. Must have worked for the employer (yourself) in at least 3 of the last 5 years. Must have received at least $750 per year (2023 & 2024) in compensation. | No employees (outside of spouse). No age or service restrictions. | No age restrictions. Must earn a minimum amount specified by the employer during any 2 of 5 preceding years, & expect to earn at least $5,000 in the current year. |
| Maximum Contributions as "Employee" (Self-Employed) or "Individual" | "Individual" contribution of up to $6,500 ($7,500 for age 50+) in 2023 & $7,000 ($8,000 for age 50+) in 2024 into an individual SEP, Traditional, or Roth IRA. Some SEP IRAs allow individual "employee" contributions. Income restrictions apply. | "Employee" contribution up to $22,500 ($30,000 for age 50+) in 2023 or $23,000 ($30,500 for age 50+) in 2024. Cannot exceed 100% of compensation. | "Employee" contribution up to $15,500 ($19,000 for age 50+) in 2023 & $16,000 ($19,500 for age 50+) in 2024. |
| Maximum Contributions as "Employer" | 25% of net earnings up to $66,000 in 2023 & $69,000 in 2024. Deductible up to 20%. Annual contributions not required. | 25% of net earnings up to $66,000 in 2023 and $69,000 in 2024. Deductible up to 20%. Annual contributions not required. | Option 1: Match up to 3% of compensation (can be reduced to as low as 1% in any two out of 5 years) or $15,500 (2023) or $16,000 (2024), whichever is less. Option 2: Contribute 2% of income (max contribution of $6,600 in 2023, $6,900 in 2024). Contributions are required every year. |
| Roth Option Possible? | No | Yes (employee contributions only). Availability varies by broker. | No |
| Rollover Options | SEP, Roth, & Traditional IRAs, Qualified pre-tax plans (401K, 403B, 457B). Tax implications may apply. | SEP, Roth, & Traditional IRAs, Qualified pre-tax plans (401K, 403B, 457B). Tax implications may apply. | SEP, Roth, & Traditional IRAs, Qualified pre-tax plans (401K), 403B, 457B if after 2 years have passed from employee first participation. No waiting period for rollover to another SIMPLE. Tax implications may apply. |
| Broker Availability | Highest availability of the 3 plans. Most discount brokers have a SEP IRA account option. | Lowest availability of the 3 plans. Roth contribution option varies by broker. | Middle availability of the 3 plans. |
| Administrative Responsibilities | Complete IRS form 5305-SEP (broker handles). | Annual filing of Form 5500-EZ may be required. Plan sponsors have various administrative & fiduciary responsibilities. | Complete IRS form 5304-SIMPLE or 5305-SIMPLE (broker handles). |
SEP IRA vs. Solo 401K vs. SIMPLE IRA: How to Choose
Everyone’s personal situation is different and there is no single definitive superior retirement plan for every individual who earns self-employment income. I started a SEP IRA while I had an employer-sponsored 401K while working full-time for an employer. After I left that employer and became fully self-employed, I then created a Solo 401K.
So how do you choose?
Your primary considerations should be:
- Do you have a 403B, 401K, or other qualified retirement plan through an employer?
- What level of self-employment income do you earn?
- How much do you want to contribute?
- How much administrative responsibility are you comfortable with?
- What are the associated fees and investment options with each plan?
If the answer to #1 is “no”, then the Solo 401K gives you the highest contribution limits, as it effectively combines the maximum employee 401K contribution ($22,500 for those under age 50 or $30,000 for those age 50+ in 2023, $23,000 for those under age 50 or $30,500 for those age 50+ in 2024) with the additional ability to contribute 25% of net earnings as employer to go up to the maximum employer 401K contribution to take contributions even further. These combined employee and employer contributions give the Solo 401K the highest contribution amount of the three types of self-employment accounts.
However, the Solo 401K does have the drawbacks of more administrative responsibility, limited broker availability (and potentially higher administrative fee costs), and even limited investment options compared to the IRA options. If you are not earning at higher levels, the increased contribution limits might not be worth it, with those drawbacks in mind.
From there, it’s a matter of how much you’d like to contribute, availability, fees, and investment options when choosing between a SIMPLE and SEP.
If the answer to #1 is “yes”, then your annual “employee” contribution levels are already covered. If so, the SEP IRA is the clear cut winner, in my opinion, as they are simpler, more easily accessible, and the employer contribution levels are the same (25% of net earnings). Keep in mind that any contributions you make as an “employee” to a Solo 401K or SIMPLE IRA count against the maximum employee contribution limits and are cumulative between accounts and would have no added benefit. You would be better off simply contributing to your employer’s sponsored plan for the employee contribution aspect, especially if a 401K match is involved. And for contributions with the status of “employer” the SEP IRA contribution limits are far higher than the SIMPLE IRA limits (here’s a look at SEP IRA employer vs employee contributions). SEPs have greater broker availability and typically more investment options than SIMPLE IRAs or Solo 401Ks.
Self-Employed Retirement Account Calculators
It might also be beneficial to use a calculator to help you figure out which plan might result in the most tax deductible contributions for you. Here are a few retirement plan calculators that can lend a hand:
- Vanguard’s retirement plan contribution calculator
- TD Ameritrade self-employment plan calculator
- CalcXML retirement plan calculator
Where Can you Open a Self-Employed Retirement Account?
Just about every major discount broker should have all 3 types of these self-employed retirement account options – and most of them should be low-fee or fee-free to maintain. Make sure to check each broker’s list of fees before creating an account. It’s really hard to go wrong with Vanguard, Schwab, or Fidelity.
Self-Employed Retirement Account Discussion:
Which retirement plan do you use for your self employment income? And why?
Related Posts:
I opened a SEP-IRA as a sole proprietor planning to switch to an LLC (S Corp). The high annual contribution limit, being a form of reducing my small business’s tax burden, and the ease of opening a SEP-IRA account with Vanguard are what drew me to establish my SEP-IRA.
Absolutely – good stuff, Garrett.