Small-business retirement plans

Looking for a retirement plan when you work for yourself can be confusing. Your options really depend on who you'd like to cover with your plan. Once you determine that, you can compare the features of the options available to you.

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Compare Fidelity's small business and self-employed plans


Whether it’s just you or you and your employees, we have a variety of retirement plans that may be right for you. Take a look at how they compare and find one that fits your needs.


Already have a 401(k) plan with another provider? Learn more about the support and value we can deliver with a Fidelity 401(k).


If you have a separate retirement plan established and you’d like to invest the assets in a Fidelity brokerage account, you may be interested in an Investment-Only Retirement account.1


Who's the plan for?
Self-employed individual or business owner with no employees other than a spouse
Self-employed individual or small-business owner, primarily those with only a few employees2
Small and growing businesses who want to offer a 401(k) for the first time
Self-employed individuals or businesses with 100 or fewer employees

Who can contribute?
As someone who's self-employed, you can contribute as both employer and employee.
Only the employer can contribute.
Both employees and employers can contribute.
Both employees and employers can contribute.

How do contributions work?
Employers may contribute up to 25% of compensation, up to a maximum of $66,000 in 2023.5 Employees may contribute up to $22,500 for 2023 ($30,000 if 50 or older).5

Contributions can't be made electronically.

Total contributions can't exceed $66,000 in 2023 ($73,500 if 50 or older and making the catch-up contribution).5
Employers may contribute between 0% and 25% of compensation up to a maximum of $66,000 for 2023. Each eligible employee must receive the same percentage.

Contributions may be made electronically.

Total contributions can't exceed $66,000 in 2023.5
Employers make matching contributions up to 4% of the annual gross compensation of all employees.4 Employees may contribute up to $22,500 for 2023 (catch up contributions available).5

Contributions may be made electronically.

Total contributions can't exceed $66,000 in 2023 ($73,500 in 50 or older and making the catch-up contribution).5
Employers contribute either a match contribution of 1, 2, or 3% or a non-elective contribution of 2%. Participants may contribute up to 100% of compensation with a maximum of $15,500 for 2023 ($19,000 if 50 or older).

Contributions may be made electronically.

Total contribution limits can vary based on employer elections.

Can withdrawals be made?3
You can't take withdrawals from the plan until a "trigger" event occurs, such as turning age 59½3, disability, and/or plan termination.
You can withdraw at any time, but a 10% penalty may apply if you're not yet age 59½.3
You typically can't take withdrawals from the plan until a "triggering" event occurs, such as termination of employment4, turning age 59½, or active military duty. In the event of certain types of financial emergencies, you may be able to take a hardship withdrawal.7
You can withdraw at any time, but a 10% penalty may apply if you're not yet age 59½.3If you take a withdrawal within first 2 years of participation in the plan, that penalty increases to 25%.

What about fees?
There are no account fees and no minimum to open an account, $0 commission for online US stocks and ETFs.6
There are no account fees and no minimum to open an account. $0 commission for online US stocks and ETFs. 6

You may be eligible for tax credits if offering a plan for the first time.
There are no additional management fees or, with limited exceptions, fund expenses beyond the $300/quarter fee.

You may be eligible for tax credits if offering a plan for the first time.
There are no account fees and no minimum to open an account, $0 commission for online US stocks and ETFs.6

You may be eligible for tax credits if offering a plan for the first time.

Interested in a Fidelity HSA® for your small business? Learn more

Learn more


Selecting a small business plan (1:10)

Watch this video to learn which plan may be right for your company.


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An HSA for your small business

See why a Fidelity HSA ® makes sense for small businesses and their employees.


Ready to get started?

For a SEP IRA or a SIMPLE IRA , get started online

For Self-Employed 401(k) and Investment-Only start the paperwork

For Fidelity Advantage 401(k) , get started online