A self-directed IRA is a tax-deferred retirement account that allows you to directly manage your investments and buy alternative assets that aren’t available in traditional IRAs. An account with a self-directed IRA service costs more to set up and maintain but allows you to invest in things like real estate, private companies, and precious metals….
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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…
SIMPLE IRA Rules, Providers, Contribution Limits & Deadlines
SIMPLE IRAs are employer-sponsored retirement plans allowing participants to save up to $26,000 pre-tax in deferrals and matching. Using a SIMPLE IRA, employers must match employee deferrals on a dollar-for-dollar basis between 1% – 3%. To use a SIMPLE IRA, employers must implement their plan before October 1 of the year it becomes effective. How…
Traditional IRA: Rules, Contribution Limits & Deadlines
An individual retirement account (traditional IRA) is a tax-deferred investment account that allows account holders to contribute up to $6,000 per year pretax as a way to save for retirement. Account holders can invest to grow their IRA without paying any taxes on contributions or gains until money is withdrawn from the account during retirement. A…
SEP IRA vs SIMPLE IRA: How to Choose the Right Plan 2018
Business owners comparing a SEP IRA vs SIMPLE IRA will find that each has unique benefits and works better in certain circumstances. SEPs have higher contribution limits ($56,000) but require employers to fund all employee contributions. SIMPLE IRAs allow employee deferrals up to $13,000 and require employers to match 1% – 3% of compensation. 401(k)…
Free SEP IRA Calculator
How to Read Your SEP IRA Calculator Results Suggested Employer SEP IRA Contribution: Your suggested contribution should be the same as the desired amount that you input unless your desired contribution exceeds 25 percent of income or $55,000. If your income is too low, your desired contribution may be too high. If your suggested…
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…
IRS Form 5500 Instructions [+ Free Checklist]
IRS Form 5500 is a form many employers must file annually to provide information on their employer-sponsored retirement plans. 401(k) plan sponsors often use third-party administrators for plan compliance issues including filing Form 5500 while some handle it themselves. It’s important that accurate filings be submitted on time to avoid penalties or plan disqualification. If…
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,…
Backdoor Roth IRA Conversion: What It Is & When To Use It
A backdoor Roth individual retirement account (IRA) is an account that’s established by converting a traditional IRA or other tax-deferred account into a Roth IRA. Using a backdoor Roth IRA conversion, account holders who aren’t typically Roth IRA-eligible because of income limits can still contribute to a Roth IRA, which then grows tax-free and can…
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 Purchase Plan: How ESPPs Work & Who They’re Right For
An employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) is a benefit plan, like a Roth 401(k), that allows employees to make after-tax deferral contributions that can be used to purchase shares in the company they work for. Using an ESPP, employees can typically buy shares at a discount that they can hold until retirement or sell. How…