Plan Comparisons
Features
SEP IRA
SIMPLE IRA
401(k)
SEP-IRA
Key Points:
- Easiest Plan to Establish and Maintain
- Significant Tax Deductions
- Increased Flexibility
- Ideal for Very Small Businesses
The SEP IRA is quite different from a SIMPLE IRA or a 401(K), primarily because the sole contributor to employees’ retirements is you, the employer. In exchange, you receive potentially significant tax deductions, higher-than-average contribution limits, and zero nondiscrimination requirements.
This arrangement allows for a high degree of simplicity and flexibility, as you can adjust your employer contributions – or eliminate them – based on your profits and tax needs. All you have to do is choose your contribution rate each year – no need to determine each employee’s contribution and your match or calculate vesting schedules.
Since employees don’t have to fund their retirement, a SEP IRA provides a lucrative recruiting tool. However, the possibility of a reduced or eliminated employer contribution may also dissuade some.
There are other caveats to be aware of – as we hinted above, all contributions are immediately 100% vested, meaning you can’t reclaim contributions made on behalf of an employee via early termination of employment. However, employees may see this as a sign of trust and loyalty.
Additionally, contributions must be uniform for each employee to comply with nondiscrimination regulations, ensuring that all employee benefits are fair and equal. This means that the owner must contribute a uniform percentage of each employee’s salary. As the owner, if you decide to contribute 3% of your salary to the retirement plan, you must also contribute 3% of each employee’s salary.
Finally, there are caps on how much you can contribute for each employee – in 2024, you can contribute up to $69,000 per employee or up to 25% of their salary, whichever is less.
SIMPLE IRA
Key Points:
- Simple to Establish
- Affordable to Maintain
- Significant Tax Deductions
- High Flexibility
- Ideal for Companies < 100 Employees
If you’d rather not bear the sole responsibility of your employees’ retirement, you may consider a SIMPLE IRA (Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees), as employee contributions are the norm, though again, not obligatory. Like a SEP IRA, a SIMPLE IRA is designed for simplicity and ease of use, though there are key differences. Unlike a SEP IRA, Top-heavy testing isn’t necessary, but there are no nondiscrimination testing requirements like a SEP IRA.
It is particularly suited for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees who want to avoid the complexities and costs of a 401(K) plan. For 2024, employees can contribute up to $16,000, with an additional catch-up contribution of $3,000 for employees over 50. Employers can match employee contributions up to 3% or as low as 1% (permissible two out of every five years) of an employee’s compensation. Regulations state that employers must warn employees of any reduction in a company match.
Alternatively, you can contribute a fixed 2% to all eligible employees. In either case, the match can be deducted. Opting for a 2% contribution can help ensure your retirement plan benefits all employees and simplify your expenses. You may consider this option if your employee participation rate is low and you’d like a more significant deduction.
Easier to set up and maintain than a 401(K), a SIMPLE IRA is a valuable recruiting tool that incentivizes employees to contribute to their retirement.
401(k) Plans
Key Points:
- Recognized and Trusted
- High Contribution Limits
- Adaptable to Growth
- Ideal for Established and Growing Businesses
Nearly every American has heard of the 401(k), which is, by this time, a staple of retirement. Unlike a SIMPLE IRA, you can have hundreds or thousands of employees participating in your company 401(k). Alternatively, if you have a small company of 50 employees, a 401(K) may still be the best fit for your financial goals and needs.
The 401(k) particularly stands out in its flexibility and customization and comes with generous contribution limits. In 2024, employees can save up to $23,000, with those aged 50 and over eligible to make an additional catch-up contribution of $7,500.
With its capacity to serve an expanding workforce, a 401(k) plan is particularly advantageous for established businesses seeking to offer a competitive benefits package. It can be customized with a range of features, such as company matches, Roth options, vesting periods, and early withdrawals under certain circumstances, making it adaptable to the specific needs of the employer and employee.
401(k) Safe Harbor Plan
On the other hand, potential challenges with Safe Harbor 401(k) plans include the requirement for immediate vesting of contributions and the obligation to maintain the plan for a full year. Additionally, these plans typically incur higher administrative costs and necessitate engaging a Third-Party Administrator (TPA) for tax filings and the creation of legal plan documents.
In Conclusion
Ready to secure a retirement-ready future for you and your team? Click the button below to start crafting your ideal retirement plan today.
