SEP-IRA FAQs

How do I establish a SEP Plan?

In most cases, self-employed individuals and small businesses can establish a SEP plan.* For answers to questions and assistance in completing the forms, or to discuss your options, call a T. Rowe Price client services representative at 1-800-831-1344. You can also request that a SEP plan kit be mailed to your home or business.

*You can not establish a SEP Plan at T. Rowe Price if you:

• Currently maintain any other retirement plan (except another SEP).
  
• Intend to operate your SEP plan on a fiscal year (not calendar year) basis
  
• Wish to integrate SEP contributions with Social Security
  
• Have any leased employees
• Are a member of an affiliated service group, controlled group of corporations, or a trade or business under common control

What if an employee does not want to participate in the SEP plan?

A SEP plan must cover all employees who satisfy the eligibility requirements. Eligible employees cannot choose whether or not they will participate in the plan.

What fees are charged to maintain a SEP plan?

There is an annual $20 account service fee for each T. Rowe Price SEP-IRA mutual fund account with a balance below $10,000. The $20 account service fee will be waived for the following circumstances: Subscribe to electronic delivery of statements and confirmations*; maintain an individual combined balance of $50,000 or more for all T. Rowe Price accounts (including mutual funds, Brokerage, Variable Annuity, and Small Business Retirement Plans); or qualify for T. Rowe Price Summit Program. If the Account is closed during the year, a $20 closeout fee will be deducted automatically from the proceeds of the total redemption. However, the closeout fee is waived when an account service fee was previously assessed to the participant for that year or when the proceeds are being used for a rollover, transfer or conversion to a T. Rowe Price retirement plan account or T. Rowe Price IRA account.

_{*You can subscribe to paperless delivery via the T. Rowe Price website once their account is established.}

Are all employees eligible to participate in the SEP plan?

The age and service requirements that you choose, within IRS guidelines, determine which employees can participate. You can require that employees reach age 21 (or a younger age) and that they work for you for three (or fewer) years before joining the plan. You may also choose to exclude union employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement (if retirement benefits were the subject of good faith bargaining), certain nonresident aliens, and any employee whose total annual compensation is less than $750 for 2025 and $800 for 2026. For example, you can choose to let all employees participate by setting a minimum age and service requirement.

How do I make a contribution to each employee's SEP-IRA?

Electronic Contributions
The Plan Sponsor website is a convenient way to make contributions via the Automated Clearing House (ACH).

Already enrolled?
Contribute Now

Not enrolled yet?
Enroll now to save time and have your contributions invested sooner.

Contribution by Check

Already enrolled in Plan Sponsor website?
Log into Plan Sponsor Web to enter your contribution information and then simply print the confirmation and mail it with your check.

Not enrolled yet?
Print out an Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plan Contribution form (PDF).

Are SEP contributions required every year?

No. You are not required to make a contribution every year. Each year you can choose whether to contribute and at what rate. If you do make contributions to employee SEP-IRAs under the SEP plan, you must contribute the same percentage of compensation for all eligible employees, including yourself.
 

How much can be contributed to each employee's SEP-IRA?

Contributions can be made up to the lesser of 25% of compensation or $70,000 for 2025 and $72,000 for 2026. The compensation limit is $350,000 for 2025 and $360,000 for 2026. 

How is "compensation" determined?

For employees, compensation is the income reported on IRS Form W-2. For self-employed owners, compensation is defined as "earned income." Annual compensation of more than $350,000 in 2025 and $360,000 in 2026 cannot be taken into consideration for determining contributions.
 

Can regular IRA contributions be made to SEP-IRA accounts?

Yes. SEP-IRA accounts can include:

• Employer contributions,
  
• Traditional IRA contributions (up to applicable limits), and
• Assets transferred or rolled over from another Traditional IRA or SEP-IRA or rolled over from a qualified plan.
   

What is the deadline for making employer contributions to a SEP-IRA?

Employer contributions for a calendar year can be made anytime up until the employer's tax filing deadline (including extensions) for that year.

When may SEP contributions be withdrawn?

Assets can be withdrawn at any time. However, there is a 10% additional tax if you make withdrawals before age 59½ unless certain exceptions apply.

How are SEP contributions invested?

The SEP plan gives you a choice of more than 150 T. Rowe Price stock, bond, and money market mutual funds. For more information about any T. Rowe Price fund, please call 1-800-638-3804 or download a prospectus.

Are there any IRS filing requirements?

No, you are not required to file annual returns such as IRS Forms 5500 or 5500-EZ. 
 

Are SEP contributions tax-deductible?

SEP contributions are generally tax-deductible as a business expense. Your employees do not pay income taxes on contributions or earnings until assets are withdrawn from their SEP-IRAs.

What information must I provide to employees?

The IRS requires that you provide certain information to all eligible employees, including a copy of your completed IRS Form 5305-SEP (PDF) and a yearly statement of all employer contributions. Refer to the instructions on your IRS Form 5305-SEP (PDF) for complete information.