Directory of
Solo 401(k)
and Small Business Retirement Plan Providers

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IRA's and 401k's: How to Pick the Best Plan - Summary: CPA's with small business clients (or those with decision-making responsibilities for smaller companies) are often called upon to evaluate pension plan options. This article will help by outlining the key features of retirement plans that can be implemented by small businesses.

401k Plans for Small Businesses - Summary: The IRS has made available 401k information to help small business owners (who sponsor a 401k plan) better understand their responsibilities in establishing and operating their plans.

Choosing a Retirement Plan for Your Small Business - Starting a small business retirement savings plan can be easier than most business people think. What’s more, there are a number of retirement programs that provide tax advantages to both employers and employees. In this article you will find a chart outlining the advantages of each of the most popular types of IRA-based and defined contribution plans and an overview of a defined benefit plan.

Small Business Owners' Concerned About Retirement - Summary: Nearly half of small business owners are concerned they will not have enough money to retire (43 percent) and many say they are worried about not being able to pay for medical costs of a serious illness or accident (47 percent) according to the latest Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index survey.

SEP vs. Solo 401k - Summary: An answer to the question, "I'm self-employed and am trying to decide where to invest for retirement. Which would be better: a SEP or a solo 401k?"

Small Business Tax Credit for 401k Startup Costs - Startup costs have always been a major hurtle to small businesses who what to start a 401k plan, but a provision of The Economic Growth and Tax Relief and Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) now helps scale this barrier to employee saving opportunities.

Small Business Retirement Plan Solutions

• The Single-Participant 401k
• Plan Information Packets available to help business owners who sponsor IRA-based retirement plans (SIMPLE IRAs plans, SEPs or SARSEPs) develop a better understanding of the requirements for their plans.
• 401k Plans for Small Businesses
• FAQs Regarding SEPs
• FAQs Regarding SIMPLE IRA Plans
• SIMPLE 401k Plans
• SIMPLE IRA vs SIMPLE 401k's
• Simple IRA Plans for Small Businesses
• Retirement Plan Comparison Chart

Tools and Topics

Our researchers look for what they think are some of the better resources available to assist you in administering your 401k plan. We group these resources in our COLLECTED WISDOM™ topics to make it easy for you to locate the information you need. Below is a current list. Just click on an item for a full listing of available resources for that topic.

• What is a 401k?
• Maintaining Your Plan - Protecting the tax benefits of your retirement plan is an important duty assumed by business owners when they adopt a retirement plan.
• When to Hire an ERISA/Employee Benefits Attorney
• The Basics on Catch-Up Contributions
• 2004 - 2010 Plan Limits  
• Changing Plan Vendors?
• Sample Investment Policy Statement
• Understanding 401k Service Delivery Models
• Creating a Request for Proposal
• Summary Plan Description - An Overview
• Crediting Participant Contributions

COLLECTED WISDOM™

• 404(c) Issues and Compliance
• Automatic Enrollment
• Blackout Periods
• Case Studies
• Choosing and Monitoring Plan Providers
• Company Stock
• Employee Education and Participation
• Fees and Expenses
• Fiduciary Responsibilities and Liabilities
• Forums and Q&A Web Sites
• Hardship Withdrawals
• Investment Advice
• Investment Policies
• Loans to Employees From Plan
• Mutual Fund Scandal and What Plan Sponsors Should Know
• Revenue Sharing
• Self Directed Brokerage Accounts
• Safe Harbor 401k Retirement Plans
• Solo 401k Retirement Plans
• Qualified Domestic Relations Orders

401k Plans for Sole Proprietorships

Regulatory reform now allows Sole Proprietorships to set-up and contribute to a 401k plan. These are often called Solo 401(k) or Individual(k) plans. A number of vendors are beginning to market specific plans to meet this need.

We have put together a list of providers that offer these plans. Click here to obtain a copy of this list.

Calculator available. Click here to calculate how much you can contribute to a Solo 401(k) in comparison to a SEP or SIMPLE plan which have different limits.

General Features of a Solo 401(k) Plan: