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INVESTING SEP-IRA Guide for Self-Employed: Retire Rich While C... 2026-02-27 · 4 min read · SEP-IRA · self-employed · retirement

SEP-IRA Guide for Self-Employed: Retire Rich While Cutting Your Tax Bill

investing 2026-02-27 · 4 min read SEP-IRA self-employed retirement tax savings

If you're self-employed and not using a SEP-IRA, you're likely overpaying taxes significantly while undersaving for retirement. The SEP-IRA (Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Account) is arguably the best retirement account available for freelancers, consultants, and small business owners — and it takes about 15 minutes to open.

Here's everything you need to know to start using one.

What Is a SEP-IRA and Who Qualifies?

A SEP-IRA is a retirement account designed for self-employed individuals and small business owners. It lets you contribute a percentage of your net self-employment income each year, deduct that contribution from your taxable income, and invest the money for tax-deferred growth until retirement.

You qualify if you have any self-employment income. That includes:

There's no minimum income requirement and no age limit below 72. Even if you earned $5,000 consulting on the side last year, you can open a SEP-IRA.

Contribution Limits: This Is the Big Deal

For 2026, you can contribute up to 25% of your net self-employment income, with a maximum contribution of $70,000 (limit adjusts annually with inflation).

Compare that to a traditional IRA, which caps at $7,000 per year, or a 401(k) employee contribution limit of $23,500. The SEP-IRA contribution limit is massive — the highest available to self-employed individuals outside of a Solo 401(k).

Important calculation note: The 25% calculation works slightly differently for self-employed people. You calculate 25% of your "net self-employment income after the self-employment tax deduction." In practice, the effective maximum contribution rate is about 20% of gross self-employment income (before the SE tax deduction). Use IRS Publication 560 or a tax calculator to get the exact number.

Example: You earned $100,000 in net self-employment income. Your SEP-IRA contribution limit is approximately $18,587 (20% of $92,935 after the SE tax deduction). That's $18,587 you can deduct from taxable income this year.

The Tax Advantage: Concrete Numbers

SEP-IRA contributions are a pre-tax deduction — they reduce your adjusted gross income (AGI) dollar for dollar. If you're in the 22% federal tax bracket and contribute $15,000, you save approximately $3,300 in federal taxes. Add state taxes and the savings grow.

For many self-employed people, contributing to a SEP-IRA drops them from one tax bracket into a lower one, amplifying the savings further.

Unlike many retirement account types, you can make SEP-IRA contributions for the previous tax year all the way up to the tax filing deadline including extensions — October 15th if you file an extension. This means you can look at your final 2025 income in April 2026, calculate your optimal contribution, and make the deposit before the deadline.

This flexibility is one of the SEP-IRA's key advantages over other account types.

SEP-IRA vs. Solo 401(k): Which Should You Choose?

Both accounts are excellent for self-employed people, but they suit different situations.

Choose a SEP-IRA if:

Choose a Solo 401(k) if:

The Solo 401(k) requires more annual paperwork (Form 5500 once the account exceeds $250,000) and must be established by December 31 of the tax year. The SEP-IRA can be established up to the tax filing deadline — more flexibility.

How to Open a SEP-IRA (Step by Step)

Opening a SEP-IRA is genuinely simple:

Step 1: Choose a provider. Major brokerages that offer SEP-IRAs with no account fees:

Step 2: Complete the account application. You'll need your Social Security Number (or EIN if you have one), your business information, and bank account details. The application takes 10-15 minutes online.

Step 3: Sign IRS Form 5305-SEP. This is the "model" document that establishes the plan. Your provider handles this — you don't have to file it with the IRS, just retain it for your records.

Step 4: Make your contribution. Transfer funds from your business or personal checking account. You can contribute a lump sum or make multiple contributions throughout the year up to the deadline.

Step 5: Invest the funds. Money in a SEP-IRA doesn't grow automatically — you have to invest it. For most self-employed people, low-cost index funds (total stock market + international stock) are the appropriate starting point.

Investment Strategy Inside a SEP-IRA

Because SEP-IRA contributions are typically larger than regular IRA contributions, the investment choice matters significantly.

For most people, a simple two-fund or three-fund portfolio works well:

Adjust the stock-to-bond ratio based on your age and years until retirement. A 35-year-old with 30 years until retirement can tolerate 90%+ stocks.

Annual Contribution Planning for Variable Income

Self-employment income fluctuates. Build SEP-IRA contributions into your quarterly planning:

A SEP-IRA is one of the most powerful financial tools available to self-employed people. If you're paying significant self-employment taxes and not using one, opening an account this year should be a top financial priority.