You’ve heard the term 401(k) or Roth 401(k) and you know it’s a great way to save for retirement. But how do you start a 401(k)? Are you able to start one on your own, or does an employer have to start one for you? There are many questions surrounding retirement savings. In this blog, we will answer five questions we often get asked about how to start a 401(k).
Why should I open a 401(k) account?
Let’s start with this major question. What’s the purpose of a 401(k) and why should we open one? 401(k) plans are a great way to save for retirement because of the tax advantages. They have higher contribution limits than an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), and they don’t have income limits like IRAs have. Often, 401(k) plans offer a Roth option, which allows you to grow your retirement savings tax-free regardless of your income.
There are so many benefits to 401(k) accounts. If you have access to one or can open one, it is a great tool to use! Read here for 8 401(k) benefits you might not know about to learn more about the many benefits 401(k) plans offer.
What if I don’t have access to a 401(k)?
If you work for an employer that does not offer a 401(k), you do have other options for saving for retirement. Maxing out your Traditional IRA or Roth IRA each year is a great start. The maximum for 2022 is $6,000 per year, which is much lower than most people need to set aside to have a secure retirement. That doesn’t mean you have to stop saving. You can add money to a taxable brokerage account with the intention of saving those funds for retirement. This account won’t have the same tax-deferred (traditional) or tax-free (Roth) options that a retirement account has, but it can still be a solid way to save and invest for your future.
Can I set up a 401(k) without an employer?
Unfortunately, no. You cannot set up a 401(k) plan for yourself. You can only access a 401(k) through an employer-sponsored plan. If you are a sole proprietor, working as a freelancer or consultant for example, you may be able to set up a SEP IRA for yourself. If you own your own business and only have you or you and your spouse as the employee, that’s when the solo 401(k) can be a great tool.
Can I open a 401(k) on my own?
A 401(k) is offered by your employer so you generally cannot open a 401(k) on your own. If you are self-employed, then you may be able to open a 401(k) plan for yourself, called a Solo or single-participant 401(k) plan. You can open a solo 401(k) on your own with the help of a solo 401(k) provider. If your business is made up of only you or your spouse, these plans can be a great way to save for your retirement, and they are simple to set up! You can contribute for both yourself as the employee, and as the employer, so your contribution limits are higher than if you work for someone else. Read here for more information on Solo 401(k) plans.
How to open a 401(k) without an employer
While you cannot open a 401(k) without an employer, you can avail of other tax-advantaged retirement plans without an employer. This includes opening a solo 401(k), a traditional IRA, or a Roth IRA.
- Open a solo 401(k): If you are self-employed and have no W2 employees, then this may be a good option for you. For a solo 401(k) you are both the employee and the employer which means that you can put more into the 401(k).
- Open a traditional IRA: If you are not offered a 401(k) through your employer, then a traditional IRA may be an option for you. A traditional IRA allows individuals to save for retirement with tax-deferred growth. It also has more investment options compared to 401(k) plans. Depending on your income, you may be able to deduct your traditional IRA contributions from your tax return.
- Open a Roth IRA: This may be a good option for you if you are younger and have the time to benefit from compound interest. A traditional IRA and Roth IRA have the same contribution limits but they are taxed differently. You cannot deduct your Roth IRA contributions from your tax return, but your Roth IRA will grow tax-free.
It is best to talk to a credentialed, financial advisor about these options to find the best one for you and your employment situation.
Can small businesses offer a 401(k) plan?
Small businesses have previously shied away from offering 401(k) plans for financial reasons. For years, 401(k)s were priced for companies with many employees and was thus cost-prohibitive for small businesses, But now there are many affordable options available for small businesses. By offering a 401(k) plan as part of an employee compensation plan, small businesses can attract talented employees. There are some fees associated with setting up a 401(k) for your company, so it’s best to talk to 401(k) providers about the plan that will best suit your company.
How can I start a 401(k) for my business?
To open a 401(k), you need to find a 401(k) provider to work with. There are many options here, so you will want to know what your needs are before deciding. Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a plan provider:
– Transparent fees: What will it cost you to use the service they are providing? What does this include? All of this should be transparent and clear when you are speaking with a plan provider. If they seem to be skirting around the discussion of fees, it may be time to cross them off the list of potential providers. Compare their fees and services with other providers as well, lower fees doesn’t always mean they are the better option.
– Services offered: As an employer offering a 401(k) plan, you become the plan fiduciary. This means you are upheld to the fiduciary standard, making decisions in the best interest of the plan participants (your employees) at all times. This can be daunting for some employers who are not familiar with managing 401(k) plans. Know your limits, and then find a plan provider who can help you. Many providers will offer full-services and share the fiduciary responsibility with you, but this comes at a cost. Find out what services you need by interviewing the providers and finding out what they offer. Then choose the one that best fits your needs, and your budget.
– Investment Options: Make sure that the 401(k) vendor has a good lineup of low-cost investment options for you and your employees to choose from. These will be the options the plan participants can choose from to grow their assets for retirement. Having a good selection at a low cost should not be overlooked.
How to set up 401(k) for a small business?
- Research retirement options for your business: Make sure that you talk to various 401(k) providers and decide which 401(k) plan you want to offer to your employees. Look closely at both the 401(k) provider fees and the fees of the investment funds available.
- Create a 401(k) plan document: This document must outline the details of the retirement plan and must comply with the IRS code. This can usually be done by your 401(k) provider or a third party administrator.
- Set up a trust: A plan’s assets must be held in a trust. You must select a trustee to handle the plan’s activities such as contributions. 401(k) providers will usually assign the trustees.
- Provide all of the 401(k) plan information to your employees: You must provide information such as the plan’s benefits, rights, and features. The 401(k) provider may also provide you with some information to help educate your employees about the retirement savings plan.
If you want to learn more about 401(K) plans, visit District Capital Management.
