For self-employed workers, setting up a retirement plan is a do-it-yourself job. There are four plans you can choose from: a one-participant 401(k), a SEP IRA, a SIMPLE IRA, and a Keogh plan. Health savings plans (HSAs) and traditional and Roth IRAs are supplemental options.
You could use a traditional solo 401(k) or a Roth solo 401(k) for potential tax benefits. Once again, you receive the same tax benefits as you would with other self-employed retirement plans. A traditional solo 401(k) gives you an up-front tax deduction for contributions, but the withdrawals are taxed in retirement.
Solo 401k plans are not typically classified as standard ERISA plans, because these plans are for business owners only. Solo 401k plans don't include non-owner employees, so there are certain titles of ERISA that don't apply to the Solo 401k.
When you're self-employed, you can save for retirement with tax-advantaged accounts like a SEP IRA, self-employed 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, or Fidelity Advantage 401(k)℠. A health savings plan (HSA) is another potential option for long-term savings, particularly since savings are not use it or lose it and can grow over time.
If you are self-employed, it's in your hands to set up a retirement plan for yourself. You have many options to choose from including an IRA/Roth IRA, SEP or SIMPLE IRA, but the best best choice, if you qualify, is the Solo 401(k) plan. Learn why! -- Learn more about the Solo 401(k): .
The $1,000 per month rule is designed to help you estimate the amount of savings required to generate a steady monthly income during retirement. ing to this rule, for every $240,000 you save, you can withdraw $1,000 per month if you stick to a 5% annual withdrawal rate.
Plan contributions for a self-employed individual are deducted on Form 1040, Schedule 1 (on the line for self-employed SEP, SIMPLE, and qualified plans) and not on the Schedule C.
Open a SIMPLE IRA through a bank or another financial institution. Set up a SIMPLE IRA plan at any time January 1 through October 1. If you became self-employed after October 1, you can set up a SIMPLE IRA plan for the year as soon as administratively feasible after your business starts.