Individual or Solo 401(k)
For one-person business owners (and their working spouses) who want the opportunity to save more for retirement.
Save more with an Individual 401(k) Plan
This 401(k) plan allows one-person business owners (and their working spouse) the opportunity to save even more for their retirement.
Call 1-800-831-1344 to get started.
Download the Individual 401(k) Guidebook (PDF)
| Eligible Employer: | Self-employed individuals or small business owners (and their working spouse) with no eligible employees. |
| Employer Deductible Limit: | 25% of total compensation* of eligible participants (owner, and if applicable, working spouse). |
| Maximum Contributions for Employees: | For 2020, the lesser of $57,000 or 100% of compensation. For 2021, the lesser of $58,000 or 100% of compensation. |
| Salary Deferrals Allowed: | Yes, may contribute the lesser of: 100% of compensation or, $19,500 ($26,000 if age 50 or older) in 2020 and 2021. |
| Employer Fees: | No annual employer fees or set-up costs1 |
| Plan Set-up Deadline: | December 31 (by the end of the initial plan year) |
| Reporting Requirements: | Annual IRS Form 5500 filing when combined plan assets exceed $250,000. |
| Investment Options: | Choose from over 100 no-load mutual funds |
Want to learn more about Individual 401(k) Retirement Plans? View our frequently asked questions page.
Significant Tax Deferral Potential
- Contributions to an Individual 401(k) Plan can help reduce your current taxable income while saving for retirement.
| Without an Individual 401(k) Plan** |
With an Individual 401(k) Plan** |
|
|---|---|---|
| Net Business Income | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Less: 1/2 Employment Tax | $7,065 | $7,065 |
| Less: Standard Deduction | $25,100 | $25,100 |
| Less: Plan Contribution | $0 | $38,087 |
| Taxable Income | $67,835 | $29,748 |
| Regular Tax Due | $7,742 | $3,172 |
| Self-Employment Tax Due | $14,130 | $14,130 |
| Total Tax Before Tax Credits | $21,872 | $17,301 |
| Tax Deferred** | $0 | $4,570 |
- Choice of either pre-tax and/or after-tax (Roth) salary deferral contributions.
Tax-deferred growth potential and generous contribution limits allow you to maximize your retirement plan needs.
- Age 50 or older and able to make "catch-up" contributions in addition to your salary deferral contributions.
Low Costs
- No participant fees when you subscribe to paperless delivery.1
We keep our mutual fund expenses low to help you save even more.2
All investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. Mutual funds are subject to management fees and expenses.
A retirement account should be considered a long-term investment. Retirement accounts generally have expenses and account fees, which may impact the value of the account. Early withdrawals are subject to taxes and possible penalties. For more detailed information about taxes, consult a tax attorney or accountant for advice.
*Maximum amount of compensation that can be used in determining contribution is $285,000 for tax year 2020 and $290,000 for tax year 2021. This amount is increased periodically for inflation.
**Based on 2021 IRS Tax Tables. This chart represents an unincorporated, self-employed, married individual under age 50 with two dependent children, filing jointly. The individual has net business income of $100,000 and the spouse has no earned income. The chart shows the difference between the tax due if no contributions are made and the tax due if the maximum contribution is made to an Individual 401(k) Plan. There is a child tax credit of $2,000 for each child for 2021, subject to phase-out at a higher income level. This calculation has not taken into account the pass-through deduction that may be available. Actual savings will vary depending on your personal circumstances and the availability of the pass-through deduction. Please consult with your tax advisor to discuss your specific situation.
1An annual $20 account service fee is charged for each 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, and Small Business Retirement Plans); or qualify for T. Rowe Price Select Client Services. Participants can subscribe to paperless delivery via the T. Rowe Price website once their account is established. If the Participant 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 account 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.
2Source: Lipper Inc. 207 of 229 funds (excluding institutional and bank institutional funds as defined by Lipper) more than 6 months old had expense ratios below their Lipper averages based on fiscal year-end data available as of 3/31/21.
SMALL BUSINESS RETIREMENT PLANS
Individual (Solo) 401(k)
Call a Small Business Retirement Specialist at 1-800-831-1344 to open an account