Retirement Planning
Compare retirement savings options with your income, business ownership, and employee needs.
Online service across all 50 states
What this service is
For business owners and high earners, a retirement plan is one of the largest legal tax deductions available. Retirement planning here means choosing the right plan, SEP-IRA, Solo 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, traditional 401(k), or a cash balance plan, by comparing how much each lets you contribute, what it costs, and what it requires for employees. We then size contributions to your actual income and cash, coordinate setup deadlines with the plan provider, and review the plan each year as income and headcount change.
Forms & documents involved
What we actually do
Compare plan types
Model contribution limits, employee costs, and administration for each plan that fits.
Size contributions
Calculate the deductible contribution from your W-2 or self-employment income and available cash.
Coordinate setup and deadlines
Work with the plan administrator or custodian so the plan is adopted and funded on time.
Connect with payroll
Make sure salary deferrals and employer contributions run correctly through payroll.
Review the plan annually
Revisit plan fit and contribution levels as income, employees, and goals change.
Compare how much each plan lets you contribute
Enter your 2026 self-employment profit or S-corp salary to see the approximate maximum for a Solo 401(k), SEP-IRA, and SIMPLE IRA side by side.
- Solo 401(k)
- $52,381
- SEP-IRA
- $27,881
- SIMPLE IRA (with 3% match)
- $21,156
Estimate only. A CPA will confirm what applies to you.
Choose a plan with a CPABefore choosing a plan, consider
- Whether you have, or plan to hire, eligible employees
- Setup and funding deadlines, which differ by plan type
- How much cash you can commit every year
- Whether you want a Roth option
- Administration costs and Form 5500-EZ filing once assets pass $250,000
- Whether a cash balance plan could add a larger deduction
Prices by scope
Compare the work included at each price. Your final scope and fee are confirmed in writing before work begins.
One-time modeling of plan options against your income and entity structure.
- Solo ownerSolo 401(k), SEP or IRA$680
- With employeesSafe-harbor 401(k) or profit-sharing$1,080
- Cash-balance planDefined-benefit plus 401(k) modeling$1,680
Revisit contribution level and plan fit as income and goals change.
- IndividualOne plan, one owner$360/year
- Owner + staffTesting and employer contribution mix$680/year
Coordination with a plan administrator or custodian for new plan establishment.
- Solo planSolo 401(k) or SEP$320
- Employer plan401(k) with employees$680
What You Get
Plan Type Comparison & Selection
Modeling SEP-IRA, Solo 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, and cash balance plan options against your actual income and entity structure.
Contribution Strategy
Setting a contribution amount and timing that maximizes the deduction without creating cash-flow strain.
Plan Setup Coordination
Coordinating with a plan administrator or custodian to get the selected plan established correctly and on time.
Annual Contribution Review
Revisiting the plan and contribution level each year as income, headcount, and goals change.
- Plan comparison summary with a recommended structure
- Contribution strategy and funding timeline
- Setup coordination notes with your plan administrator or custodian
- Annual contribution review summary
When this service may fit
- You have never compared your current retirement plan against the alternatives on the actual numbers
- Business income has changed enough that last year's contribution strategy may no longer be optimal
- You are adding employees and need to understand the resulting plan obligations
- You want retirement contributions coordinated with the rest of your year-end tax strategy, not decided separately
Often handled together
Clients who use this service often add these. Tick any to see the combined starting price.
How It Works
Income, entity, and headcount review
Review earnings, business ownership, existing plans, employee participation, and retirement income objectives.
Plan type comparison and contribution modeling
Compare relevant plan and contribution approaches with tax impact, cash requirements, administrative costs, and workforce considerations.
Setup coordination with a plan administrator or custodian
Coordinate the selected approach with a qualified plan administrator, payroll provider, and investment adviser where appropriate.
Annual review and adjustment as circumstances change
Confirm implementation responsibilities and review contribution information and income changes at agreed tax planning checkpoints.
Your Role
Provide accurate compensation, employee census, prior contribution, and plan information. Authorize plan decisions and complete required provider actions on time.
Service Scope
Tax planning does not include investment selection, actuarial services, plan document drafting, or ongoing plan administration unless separately arranged with qualified providers.
Start Retirement Planning online
Choose the closest scope and send your request online. We’ll confirm the final work and fee in writing before anything begins.
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