Managing a successful business, whether you’re a one-person company, or you run a large enterprise, can be complicated on a number of levels. It can be easy to focus too much in your day-to-day business, rather than strategically on your business. This risk is even bigger when you’re juggling the day-to-day needs of the company, as well as those of your staff. In this article, we’ll talk about some of the retirement savings tools at your disposal, and how they can fit into your business. If you are a one-person company, there are excellent options. If you’re designing a benefits program to help attract and retain talented staff, there are also excellent choices for you.
Saving for retirement is a challenge across all ages and income levels. Finding the right balance between our current needs and our future needs can be difficult. Surveys indicate that Americans as a group are well behind their retirement savings targets. While everyone’s retirement dreams are different, here are some savings goals to consider.
Choosing the right retirement plan for you and your company can go a long way toward helping you and your staff reach your retirement savings goals. Different plan types will allow different options for investments, contributions, and tax advantages. The tables below provide summary-level information about different types of retirement plans. This can be used in concert with a discussion with a financial advisor to help determine the best fit for you, your company, and your needs.
One-person companies
Solo business owners have several choices of plans with a wide variety of potential benefits. The table below summarizes the key features. Note that all dollar limits are as of 2022. Features and rules are summarized and may not provide all details.
Multi-Employee Companies
If you’re making decisions for an organization with employees, there are added complexities to the choice of retirement plans. You’re now balancing what’s best for recruiting and retention of staff, staff needs, and what’s best for the owner(s) of the business. Key features of common organization-focused retirement plan choices are below. Note that all dollar limits are as of 2022. Features and rules are summarized and may not provide all details.
Safe Harbor (from 401(k) Employer Contributions section above) – the rules of 401(k) plans are set by the IRS and Department of Labor to ensure that they do not disproportionately benefit owners and Highly-Compensated Employees (HCEs, defined as earning $130,000/year or more). As such, owners and HCEs may be limited in how much they can defer annually. The formula used to calculate these testing limits is beyond the scope of this article. To avoid limitation on owner and HCE compensation, employers can make a Safe Harbor Match or a Safe Harbor Non-Elective Contribution. If they do so, owners and HCEs may defer to the annual limit without regard to testing.
In addition to the above, there are also tax credits available for organizations that start 401(k) plans during 2022. The amount of credit available depends on the size and type of plan, but ranges from $500-$5,500.
As with many financial decisions, conversations with your financial advisor will help you narrow down options to the one that is appropriate for you and/or your organization. While the details can seem overwhelming in the beginning, a good team of financial professionals can simplify the process, and let you focus on running your business.
Start the Discussion
To start the discussion about what plan is best for you and your business, contact Aaron McDonald (amcdonald@medfinityfinancial.com) and Doug Beebe (dbeebe@rwpfirm.com).
This material is intended for general public use. By providing this content, Park Avenue Securities LLC and your financial representative are not undertaking to provide investment advice or make a recommendation for a specific individual or situation, or to otherwise act in a fiduciary capacity. Guardian, its subsidiaries, agents, and employees do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Consult your tax, legal, or accounting professional regarding your individual situation.