401(k) Investment Plans & Small Businesses
Many self-employed persons felt (and financial
advisors agreed) that 401(k) investment plans did not meet their needs due to the
high costs, difficult administration, and low contribution limits. But
the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA)
made 401(k) plans more beneficial to the self-employed. The two key
changes enacted related to the allowable "Employer" deductible
contribution, and the "Individual" IRC-415 contribution limit.
Prior to EGTRRA, the maximum tax-deductible
contribution to a 401(k) plan was 15% of eligible pay (reduced by the
amount of salary deferrals). Without EGTRRA, an incorporated business
person taking $100,000 in compensation would have been limited in Y2004
to a maximum contribution of $15,000.
EGTRAA raised the deductible limit to 25% of eligible
pay without reduction for salary deferrals. Therefore, that same
businessperson in Y2004 can defer $15,000, make a profit sharing
contribution of $25,000 (i.e 25%), and — if this person is over age 50 —
make a catch-up contribution of $5,000 for a total of $45,000, though
this would be limited in 2006 to $44,000, the maximum allowed under the
higher IRC-415 limit.
To take advantage of these higher contributions, many vendors now offer
Solo-401(k) plans or Individual(k) plans. |