One of the best methods for small businesses and independent contractors to assist staff members with retirement savings is through SEP IRAs, to which they will be able to contribute even more in 2024 than in 2023. Employers can contribute tens of thousands of dollars on their employees’ behalf to SEP IRAs, which is far more than what an individual could contribute to a standard IRA.
Contributions to a SEP IRA in 2023 can total up to $66,000, or up to 25 percent of the user’s income or business earnings, whichever is lower. In 2024, that figure rises to $69,000. Contributions to a SEP IRA for 2023 can be made up to April 15, 2024, the day of taxes. An employer funds SEP IRAs, hence they do not allow catch-up contributions.
The increases are a part of a larger series of adjustments to contribution caps in a variety of retirement account types, such as 401(k) and 403(b) plans, regular and Roth IRAs, and others.
A SEP IRA’s contribution cap is the lower of:
The SEP IRA is funded by the employer, not the employee; that is, the business makes the contribution, not the employee. Neither an IRA nor a 401(k) include a catch-up provision for older workers, nor do SEP IRAs.
On the other hand, a different choice that is well-liked by one-person enterprises is the solo 401(k), which does permit catch-up contributions, making it a potentially more alluring choice for some tiny businesses.
The yearly compensation utilized to calculate retirement plan contributions to SEP IRAs is limited. That cap is $330,000 for 2023, up from $305,000 for 2022. In 2024, the cap increases to $345,000, and the IRS modifies it every year.
Enrolling in an employer-sponsored SEP IRA does not preclude you from contributing to a regular or Roth IRA. In the same tax year, you are able to contribute the maximum amount to either your regular or Roth IRA or your employer’s SEP IRA.
But, if you make contributions to your SEP IRA as an employee (rather than an employer), as certain SEP IRA plans do, your contribution cap to other IRAs is lowered dollar-for-dollar.
Thus, if your goal is to maximize your retirement savings, allow your employer to fund your SEP IRA to the fullest extent possible while you, the employee, fund your own individual IRA.
One of the most well-liked and potent retirement accounts is the Roth IRA, and small businesses can now take advantage of the Roth after-tax option through the SEP IRA.
Prior to 2023, there was only one kind of SEP IRA: pre-tax. Employers made contributions on behalf of their workers; but, upon withdrawal of the funds upon retirement, the workers were required to pay conventional income taxes. In general, the distribution guidelines function just like they would in a conventional IRA.
Employers can now provide Roth SEP IRA plans because of the SECURE Act 2.0. The funds are deposited post-tax, have the potential to grow tax-free, and are extracted tax-free at retirement.
Small businesses can contribute to their employees’ retirement plans through the SEP IRA. If you want to maximize your retirement contributions, it’s critical to stay informed about the annual increases to the maximum contributions.
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