Individual or Solo 401(k)

For one-person business owners (and their spouse working for the business) who want the opportunity to save more for retirement.

Save more with an Individual 401(k) Plan

This 401(k) plan allows one-person business owners (and their spouse working for the business) the opportunity to save even more for their retirement.

Call 1-800-831-1344 to get started.

Download the Individual 401(k) Guidebook (PDF)

  • Eligible Employer: Self-employed individuals or small business owners (and their spouse working for the business) with no eligible employees.

  • Employer Deductible Limit: 25% of total compensation* of eligible participants (owner, and if applicable, working spouse).

  • Maximum Contributions for Employees: For 2023, the lesser of $66,000 or 100% of compensation. For 2022, the lesser of $61,000 or 100%, not including any catch-up contributions.

  • Salary Deferrals Allowed: Yes, may contribute the lesser of: 
    100% of compensation or, for 2023, $22,500 ($30,000 if age 50 or older); for 2022, $20,500 ($27,000 if age 50 or older).

  • Employer Fees: No annual employer fees or set-up costs.

  • Annual Participant Account Service Fee: $20 fee may apply1

  • Plan Set-up Deadline: Your company's tax filing deadline (including extensions)

  • Reporting Requirements: Annual IRS Form 5500 filing when combined plan assets exceed $250,000.

  • Investment Options: Choose from over 100 no-load mutual funds

Want to learn more about Individual 401(k) Retirement Plans? View our frequently asked questions page.

Individual 401(k) Plan Benefits

Significant Tax Deferral Potential 

  • Contributions to an Individual 401(k) Plan can help reduce your current taxable income while saving for retirement.

Consider the Example Below:

Individual 401(k) Benefits
  Without an
Individual
401(k) Plan**
With an
Individual
401(k) Plan**
Net Business Income $100,000 $100,000
Less: 1/2 Employment Tax $7,065 $7,065
Less: Standard Deduction $27,700 $27,700
Less: Plan Contribution $0 $41,087
Taxable Income $65,235 $24,148
Regular Tax Due $7,388 $2,458
Self-Employment Tax Due $14,130 $14,130
Total Tax Before Tax Credits $21,518 $16,587
Tax Deferred** $0 $4,930
  • Choice of either pre-tax and/or after-tax (Roth) salary deferral contributions.
  • Tax-deferred growth potential and generous contribution limits allow you to maximize your retirement plan (PDF) needs.

  • Age 50 or older and able to make "catch-up" contributions in addition to your salary deferral contributions.

Low Cost

  • We keep our mutual fund expenses low to help you save even more.2

Helpful Resources

All investments are subject to market risk, including the possible loss of principal. Mutual funds are subject to management fees and expenses.

A retirement account should be considered a long-term investment. Retirement accounts generally have expenses and account fees, which may impact the value of the account. Early withdrawals are subject to taxes and possible penalties. For more detailed information about taxes, consult a tax attorney or accountant for advice.

*Maximum amount of compensation that can be used in determining contribution is $330,000 for tax year 2023 and $305,000 for tax year 2022. This amount is increased periodically for inflation.

**Based on 2023 IRS Tax Tables. This chart represents an unincorporated, self-employed, married individual under age 50 with two dependent children, filing jointly. The individual has net business income of $100,000 and the spouse has no earned income. The chart shows the difference between the tax due if no contributions are made and the tax due if the maximum contribution is made to an Individual 401(k) Plan. There is a child tax credit for each child for 2023, subject to phase-out at a higher income level. This calculation has not taken into account the pass-through deduction that may be available. Actual savings will vary depending on your personal circumstances and the availability of the pass-through deduction. Please consult with your tax professional to discuss your specific situation.

1An annual $20 account service fee is charged for each mutual fund account with a balance below $10,000. The $20 account service fee will be waived for the following circumstances: Subscribe to electronic delivery of statements and confirmations; maintain an individual combined balance of $50,000 or more for all T. Rowe Price accounts (including mutual funds, Brokerage, and Small Business Retirement Plans); or qualify for the T. Rowe Price Summit Program. Participants can subscribe to paperless delivery via T. Rowe Price Workplace Retirement once their account is established. If the Participant Account is closed during the year, a $20 closeout fee will be deducted automatically from the proceeds of the total redemption. However, the closeout fee is waived when an account service fee was previously assessed to the participant account for that year or when the proceeds are being used for a rollover, transfer or conversion to a T. Rowe Price retirement plan account or T. Rowe Price IRA.

2Source: Lipper Inc. 139 of 152 of our Investor Class funds (excludes funds not available for direct purchase) more than 6 months old had expense ratios below their Lipper averages based on fiscal year-end data available as of 12/31/2023.

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