A Solo 401k plan is one of the best retirement options for entrepreneurs, freelancers, independent workers, and anyone who is self-employed. The plans address many of the concerns self-employed workers have and can provide an excellent option to these individuals for retirement planning.
If you are self-employed, read on to learn more about Solo 401k retirement plans and how to start one.
Why Should I Start a Solo 401k Retirement Plan?
There are tons of reasons why you should start a Solo 401k plan as a self-employed worker. But for our purposes, let’s detail the three most compelling reasons:
- Loan Options. Without the backing of a large company, when things get difficult for you as a self-employed worker, there are very few options to which you can turn for help. Therefore, you have the option of taking out loans of as much as $50,000 or 50% of your plan’s value, if needed. Letting your money grow in your retirement fund is obviously the best option, but if you need to take out a loan, you can do so with a Solo 401k.
- Roth Or Traditional Contributions. Whether you should structure your plan for Roth or Traditional contributions has long been debated. However, with a Solo 401k, the choice is up to you. If you would rather make pre-taxed traditional contributions and then pay taxes when you withdraw your money in retirement, you are able to do so. On the other hand, if you’d prefer to pay your taxes now and make Roth contributions, thereby making tax-free withdrawals in retirement, this option is also available to you with a Solo 401k.
- Huge Contribution Limits. Saving the best benefit for last, a Solo 401k enables you to make the highest allowable contributions for self-employed individuals. In fact, you can contribute $19,500 as an employee and $37,500 as an employer. Because you are both your only employee and your only employer, you can make a total contribution of $57,000 a year to your Solo 401k plan.
How Do I Choose a Plan Provider?
It’s important to factor in a number of considerations when choosing your plan provider including:
- Fees Associated with Plan. If you can find a plan that does not impose any extra costs, you should strongly consider them for your Solo 401k provider.
- Intuitive Plan Set-Up. Setting up your plan shouldn’t be a laborious process where you need to do days’ worth of research. You should be able to call your provider, hear the available options, and be set up in short order.
- Customer Service Availability. Inevitably, you’re going to have questions pertaining to your plan. You’ll want to partner with a provider that is available to answer your questions, not one who will get back to you three weeks later.
- You’ll want to ensure that your plan offers everything that you’re looking for in terms of Roth and Traditional contributions, different investment options, etc.
Ready to start? Call a Solo 401k plan provider today to get started!
