Retirement Contribution Comparison Calculator

Curious which retirement plan is best for you? Try our quick calculator!

Self-employed individuals and businesses employing only the owner, partners and spouses have several options for tax-advantaged savings including: an Individual 401(k) plan and a SEP IRA. Each option has distinct features and amounts that can be contributed to the plan each year. Use this calculator to estimate the potential contribution that can be made to an Individual 401(k) compared with a SEP plan.

An Individual 401(k) allows a $32,793.60 annual contribution for 2025

Business type and income

$
Reset
Calculate

Get Results

Maximum Annual Contributions

View Report

An Individual 401(k) allows a $32,793.60 annual contribution for 2025

This is based on an income of $0. For sole proprietors, this is the net income from your tax Schedule C or C-EZ. To calculate your maximum contribution, it is assumed that you maximized all business contributions and elective deferrals. The table below summarizes the Individual 401(k) contribution calculation along with SEP IRAs.

Maximum Annual Contributions

Input Summary

Business Type
Net Income
Current Age
Individual 401(k) plan for 2025
SEP IRA for 2025
Employer Contribution
Elective deferral amount
NONE
Catch-up amount
NONE
Maximum contribution allowed
Maximum contribution amount

*Calculated as net business income of $0 - deduction for Self-Employment Tax of $0 minus employer contribution. This results in the total business profit after self employment taxes and employer contributions to the retirement plan. Maximum earned income allowed is $350,000.

Individual 401(k) Contribution Comparison Definitions

Business Type

Please select either in sole proprietorship or corporation. The calculations for your contributions are slightly different depending on the business type.

Net Income

For sole proprietors, this is your net income from your tax Schedule C or C-EZ. For single owner corporations with no employees other than yourself or your spouse, this is your w-2 wages.

Current Age

Your current age. For Individual 401(k) plans you are able to make additional contributions, known as ‘Catchup Contributions’ if you are age 50 or older by the end of the year.