Although employed individuals can no longer make contributions to their 2015 retirement savings, there is ample time to contribute to 2016 retirement savings. For the many self-employed individuals who don’t have a plan for retirement saving, this would be a good year to start catching up. Multiple options are available:
Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA. The most popular choice for sole proprietors with no employees, the SEP IRA is easy to establish and administer and offers low, if any, annual account fees. Account holders have until they file their taxes to deposit funds and can contribute up to 25 percent of their net income or $53,000 for 2016, whichever is lower. Moonlighters’ SEP limits aren’t affected by contributions to their employer’s 401(k) plan. Sole proprietors who hire full-time employees must contribute the same percentage to their employees’ plans as they contribute to their own.
Solo 401(k). Individuals with substantial self-employment income and no employees often turn to a Solo 401(k). As an employee, they can make up to $18,000 in tax-deferred contributions (or after-tax Roth contributions), $24,000 if they’re 50 or over. As an employer, they can contribute another 25 percent of their net self-employment earnings up to $53,000, including the employee contribution. A hired spouse can also contribute $53,000 to their account. If the firm offering their 401(k) allows it, they can borrow up to $50,000 or half of their funds, whichever is less. Annual paperwork is required once the account reaches $250,000.
Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRA. Inexpensive to set up and maintain, the SIMPLE IRA can be a good choice for business owners with zero to 100 employees. They can put all of their own net earnings into a SIMPLE IRA – up to $12,500 if they’re under 50, up to $15,500 if they’re 50 or older. It also allows tax-deductible employer matches of 2 to 3 percent. Withdrawals made within two years of the plan’s inception incur a 25 percent penalty, compared to 10 percent with an SEP.
Less common than the first three, Profit Sharing allows a business owner to determine how much they will contribute to participants annually, up to 25 percent of the employees’ compensation or $53,000, whichever is lower. Unlike Profit Sharing plans, Money Purchase Plans must be funded yearly at a fixed percentage of income.
Whether you work for yourself or someone else, we can help you make the most of your current income while saving for retirement. For more information, call Jordan Dechtman, Denver Investment Advisor Representative at 303-741-9772, email him at Jordan@JordanDechtman.com or visit our website www.JordanDechtman.com to schedule and appointment.
