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|
Contribution Limit |
Investment Options |
Suitability For Employees |
Administrative Requirements |
Key Advantage |
Key Disadvantage |
Who Should Consider |
| IRA & ROTH |
Up to the Lesser of $4,000 or 100% of Earned Income With $1,000 Catchup |
Annuities, Mutual Funds, CDs |
Personal Plan: Not Designed For Employee Benefit Purposes |
NONE |
Completely Your Own Plan |
$4,000 Contribution Limit |
Almost Everyone's First Plan |
| No Life Insurance |
| SEP |
Company is 25% of Earned Income or $44,000 Whichever is Less. Sole
Proprietor limit is 20% |
Annuities, Mutual Funds, CDs |
Limited By Restricted Plan |
Simple Document No Annual Filing |
Employee Plan With Least Paperwork |
Must Include Part-Time Employees Full Vesting |
Employer With Maximum IRA and No Employees |
| No Life Insurance |
| SIMPLE |
Up to First $10,000 Of Earned Income Plus Match With $2,500 Catchup |
Annuities, Mutual Funds, CDs |
Best for Small Business With Very Limited Income |
Document, Annual Meeting, Some Tracking |
Largest Deduction For Owners With Limited Income |
Must Match Employee Contribution Up to 3% |
Smaller Employer With Low Income Employer With "Side Income" |
| No Life Insurance |
| Individual K |
Company limit is 25% PLUS $15,000 salary deferral. $42,000 is
maximum contribution. |
Annuities, Mutual Funds, CDs No life insurance |
Limited to sole proprietors |
5500 EZ |
Maximum contributions with loan provisions |
Can not have employees |
Small business owners and their spouses who receive compensation
from the business |
| Profit Sharing |
25% of Overall Pay Up to $44,000 Individually |
Any Prudent Investment including Life Insurance |
Very Good For Work Incentive: Appeals to Younger Employees |
Document, Annual Government Filing Employee Reports |
Flexible Contributions |
Provides Limited Benefits For Older Participants |
Employer With Young Employees and Variable Income |
| Money Purchase |
25% of Overall Pay Up to $44,000 Individually |
Any Prudent Investment including Life Insurance |
Best for Employees If Maximum Contribution Made |
Document, Annual Government Filing Employee Reports |
Davis Bacon Option |
Plan is Obsolete |
Employers with "Prevailing Wage" Issues |
| Age Weighted |
25% of Overall Pay Up to $44,000 Individually |
Any Prudent Investment including Life Insurance |
Appeals to Multiple Older Owners With Younger Partners |
Document, Annual Government Filing Employee Reports |
Flexible Contributions and High Allocation to Older Worker |
High Installation Cost |
Older Owner of Closely Held Company |
| New Comparability |
25% of Overall Pay Up to $44,000 Individually |
Any Prudent Investment including Life Insurance |
Appeals to Multiple Older With Younger Partners |
Document, Annual Government Filing Employee Reports |
Flexible Contributions and High Allocation to Older Worker |
High Installation and Administrative Cost |
Multiple Owners of Closely Held Company |
| 401(k) |
$15,000 Plus $5,000 Catchup in Employee Contributions |
Any Prudent Investment including Life Insurance |
Best for Younger Employees If Maximum Contribution Made |
Document, Annual Government Filing Employee Reports |
Catchup Provisions Save Harbor Election Positive Employee Perception |
Complex Administrative Requirements |
ALL EMPLOYEES |
| Defined Benefit |
Maximum Benefit is 100% of Pay up to $175,000 |
Any Prudent Investment including Life Insurance |
Best for Older Employees Due to Guaranteed Benefit |
Document, Annual Government Filing Employee Reports Actuary
Certification |
Favors Older Participants Can Also Have 401(k) Plan |
Complex Administrative Requirements High Cost |
Older Employer With Stable Income |