A 401(k) allows business owners and employees to save up to $57,000 annually through tax-free salary deferrals, matching, and profit-sharing. While all 401(k)s follow IRS rules, choosing the right provider—particularly for a solo 401(k)—is very important. We’ve reviewed more than two dozen 401(k) companies to arrive at list of the 10 best providers. Top 401(k)…
Personal Finance
Top 17 Tips for Buying & Selling Stocks
One important rule for investing in the stock market is to buy low and sell high. However, you can’t predict when the stock prices will go up or down. While there’s no definite way to time your trades perfectly, there are some tips for buying stocks that can help you make better decisions. Here are…
SEP IRA Rules, Contribution Limits, & Deadlines
A SEP IRA is an employer-sponsored retirement plan allowing business owners with 0 – 5 employees defer large amounts of income. A SEP lets employers and the self-employed contribute $56,000 or 25% of their taxable income each year – $50,000 more than Traditional IRAs. To use SEPs, employers must make proportional contributions to all full-time…
Keogh Plan: Contribution Limits, Rules & Deadlines
A Keogh plan is a qualified retirement plan that allows self-employed individuals up to $56,000 per year in tax-deductible contributions. Keogh plans have largely been replaced by alternatives, including SEP IRAs and Solo 401(k)s, because tax laws now allow business owners who used to use Keoghs to use other plans instead. What a Keogh Plan…
Free SIMPLE IRA Calculator & Contribution Limits
How to Read Your SIMPLE IRA Calculator Results Some rules of thumb for reading the SIMPLE IRA contribution calculator results include: Annual SIMPLE IRA Contributions: SIMPLE IRA contributions should be at least 3 percent of annual compensation or $5,000. If they’re more than $20,000, or 8 percent to 10 percent of your employee income,…
Fiduciary Financial Advisor: What It Is, Duties & Obligations
A fiduciary financial advisor is an investment professional who is licensed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state regulators. Fiduciary advisors are important for clients because they are legally required to put clients’ interests ahead of their own. Using a fiduciary is important if you want an advisor to manage your…
Employee Stock Ownership Plan: How ESOPs Work & Who They’re Right For
An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) is a qualified defined-contribution employee benefit plan that provides the employees of a business an ownership interest in that business. An ESOP is used by employers to either reward employees or as an exit strategy from business ownership. If owned by an ESOP, the business can receive great tax…
Top 25 Investment Strategies for Small Business Owners
As a small business owner, it’s important to understand how to invest your capital wisely and how to diversify your funds to attain financial stability in your personal life. We spoke with 25 experts who shared different investment strategies to help you grow your business and achieve a healthy financial future. Below are the 25…
8 Best Self-Directed IRA Custodians & Companies 2018
A self-directed IRA custodian or facilitator gives you the freedom to direct your own investments in stocks and bonds as well as alternative assets like real estate, private equity, and precious metals. We evaluated dozens of self-directed IRA companies on investment options, fees, and customer service and narrowed the list down to the best eight…
ACP Test vs. ADP Test: What to Know About 401(k) Nondiscrimination Testing
The actual deferral percentage (ADP) test and actual contribution percentage (ACP) test are both required to be administered every year to ensure traditional 401(k) plans are in compliance. While ADP considers only employee deferrals, ACP also includes employer contributions. However, plan sponsors must conduct both tests regardless of whether or not they match. If you’re…
401(k) Vesting Schedule: Cliff vs Graded [+ Examples]
A 401(k) vesting schedule is used by employers to control when ownership of retirement contributions transfer to employees. While many 401(k)s vest contributions immediately and no schedule is needed, there are two other types of schedules, cliff and graded, that employers can use to vest retirement contributions over time or all at once. How a…
6 Best 403(b) Companies 2018
A 403(b) tax-deferred annuity plan is a retirement plan used by nonprofits to help employees save through a combination of pretax and post-tax contributions. To identify the best 403(b) companies, we looked for providers with the widest array of cost-effective investment options, best customer service and additional services to help employers and participants. provides effective…