SEP IRA: Simplified Employee Pension Plan
Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEP IRAs) help self-employed individuals and small-business owners get access to a tax-deferred benefit when saving for retirement.
Reasons to consider a Fidelity SEP IRA
- Easy to set up and maintain
- Flexible annual funding requirements
- Wide range of investments
- Contribute online, by phone, or by mail
Get started
Or call 800-544-5373 and select option 3 to speak with a small-business retirement specialist.
| Tax advantages |
Tax-deferred growth potential Tax-deductible contributions |
|---|---|
| Investment options |
A wide range of mutual funds, stocks, bonds, ETFs, and FDIC-insured CDs |
| Support and guidance |
One-on-one guidance—in person, online, or over the phone Research and tools to help you create a long-term plan and choose investments |
| Eligibility |
Must be sole proprietor, a business owner, in a partnership, or earn self-employment income by providing a service |
|---|---|
| Contribution rules |
Must be made by the employer Can vary each year between 0% and 25% of compensation (maximum $52,000 for 2014 and $53,000 for 2015), and each eligible employee must receive the same percentage Calculate how much you can contribute using our Self-Employed Contribution Calculator. You also can use our SEP IRA Contribution Worksheet (PDF). |
| Establishment deadline |
April 15 tax filing deadline for most self-employed individuals and small-business owners (including any extensions) |
| Administrative
responsibilities |
Employee notification of employer's contribution Employers must fill out and retain Form 5305 SEP (PDF) in their records. No plan tax filings with IRS |
| Employee
responsibilities |
Each employee must open an individual SEP IRA account. |
| Withdrawals |
Minimum required distributions starting at age 70½ 10% early withdrawal penalty if under age 59½, subject to certain exceptions |
| Account fees |
No annual fees, no establishment fees* *There is no cost to open and no annual fee for Fidelity's Traditional, Roth, SEP, and Rollover IRAs. A $50 account close out fee may apply. Fund investments held in your account may be subject to management, low balance and short term trading fees, as described in the offering materials. For all securities, see the Fidelity commission schedule for trading commission and transaction fee details. |
|---|---|
| Trading fees |
$7.95 for online U.S. equity trades† |
Next steps
Open a SEP IRA online
or call 800-544-5373 and select option 3 to speak with a small-business retirement specialist.
014
5508tridion
Rated 4.3 out of 5 by 166
reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5 by JAMB Convenience and reliable
My experience with Fidelity has been very good. Everyone I have spoken to is professional, knowledgeable and helpful. The website is easy to navigate and understand. The few trades I have made have been executed in a very time proficient manner and accurate. Thanks!
May 9, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5 by kkfarley East to Set Up
This SEP IRA was very easy to set up for our small company. Fidelity made it easy to do online and I didn't need to contact anyone.
April 4, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5 by Justin S. No hassle SEP-IRA setup and use
I've been with Fidelity Brokerage since 2005 and have tried out a couple of other brokerages over the years. None of the competitors provide the full package that Fidelity does: comprehensive offerings, excellent customer service, superb online experience, and great mobile app.
January 19, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5 by Lori Caloia Easy Setup and Great Fund Choices
This was super easy to get set up by calling the knowledgeable representative. There were many fund choices that did not have associated extra fees.
July 29, 2015
Rated 5 out of 5 by VWS CEO Veteran Writing Services LLC
As a new small business owner, Fidelity provided the exact information I needed to make a decision on the right plan for my situation. The agents were very knowledgeable and courteous and walked me through all options. This could not have been any easier. I look forward to doing business with my new partner.
February 11, 2015
Rated 5 out of 5 by Packfan1 Satisfied
I rate my SEP plan excellent in all categories, although customer service will always stand out as the very best. When I was trying to transfer money from another account, Fidelity was easy to work with and did all they could do to move the transaction along when I was getting delays in the process.
October 2, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Fabi Great investment opportunity for self employees with SEP IRA
I'm a realtor and need to plan my retirement wisely. Because I'm self employed, I think SEP IRA is one of the best retirement options and Fidelity has low fees and the web site is easy to navigate for either checking the balance or trading stocks or bonds.
October 1, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by NJW Simple and Convenient
After several years of self-employment, I decided that the regular IRA was not adequate for me. I researched the different types of retirement savings and decided at the last minute that I needed to use the SEP-IRA. It was very quick and simple to set up the account and transfer funds from my other Fidelity account. Then I allocated the funds at my convenience.
October 1, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Sanborn23 Easy to Navigate
I have moved two accounts into one Fidelity SEP-IRA. Great value and great information at my fingertips. Customer service is also terrific.
July 29, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Haleyi25 Easy and Fun!
Setting up my SEP-IRA was quick and easy. Everyone at Fidelity took great care of me!
June 24, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by EduCoach I love my SEP!
I started my SEP IRA with Fidelity to maximize the ability to save money as a small business owner, and plan for a secure future. Accounts at Fidelity are easy to manage. One can be hands-on or hands-off. I am definitely a hands-on, active investor, and my SEP has provided a tax saving advantage for my small business that gives me the peace of mind to know I am building for my future by maximizing contributions towards my retirement. The availability of choices at Fidelity, from mutual and index funds, to ETFs, to individual stocks, make this SEP a clear winner over companies in which plan investments are limited. I recommend Fidelity every day to colleagues, friends, and family.
February 23, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by MichaelT SEP IRA Rev
Amazing. One of the best things I could have done as a small business owner. I owned a small business for 18 years and the SEP IRA was such a benifit people know all the time. The SEP is a perk all small business owners should take advantage of. I used to love the day when,prior to tax time, I wrote my SEP contribution check I let people know all the time.
February 20, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by Mrs.P EFT into a SEP is unnecessarily difficult!
When I called last week to inquire about making deposits electronically into a Fidelity SEP-IRA the gentleman talked down to me and said I would have to print a deposit slip and mail a check. Or have him do it for me over the phone (if the funds were coming from another Fidelity account.) He stated this in regard to funds from both our outside checking account and our Fidelity Joint WROS.
Because I read Alan H.'s comment below, (thank you, Alan) I found out on my own how to add an outside bank account and make a deposit into a SEP-IRA and did so.
So you would think it should be just as possible to link our Fidelity accounts to transfer into a Fidelity SEP-IRA? Noooooo. Can't do it. This is stupid. A self employed person needs to fund their SEP-IRA themselves! We don't need a bank standing over us making it difficult. We make the money yet we are treated as if we are not intelligent enough to put it where it needs to go. Please! We have a tax extension and need to feed that hungry SEP!
Yes, we can write a check from the Joint WROS account and deposit electronically from our phone. But even the step of writing a check from our Fidelity Joint WROS and taking a photo of it to deposit it into our Fidelity SEP-IRA is silly.
I want to link our Joint WROS to my self employed husband's SEP-IRA to make SEP-IRA contributions. I do not want to have to make a phone call. I do not want to have to mail a check. This intransigence on the part of Fidelity will cost your depositors real tax dollars. I see a commenter below who is missing his tax deadline because of the difficulty of making a SEP-IRA deposit.
September 10, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5 by Ranu B. Very Happy with service
I transferred my IRA from another bank to Fidelity. Do I get some reward from Fidelity for doing this transfer? I thought I saw something to that effect on my Fidelity web site.
Any way I am very happy with the services!
August 15, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5 by pete Easy and convenient
Fidelity provided all the forms needed so setup and maintenance was eazy
August 1, 2016
Rated 4 out of 5 by Bill secure and reliable
I have been using Fidelity SEP for over 20 years, and have been very pleased with Fidelity and how they make it easy to use.
July 18, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5 by Tim Best of breed
I'm an investment advisor, and I use Fidelity (retail site) for my own SEP IRA. Fees are very low, fees are transparent (very important), investments are very easy to query and purchase, and research tools are excellent, including the ability to review asset allocation. Opening the account was also extremely easy relative to some competitors at which I have tried to open SEP IRA accounts.
July 12, 2016
Rated 1 out of 5 by Ed Long 'on hold' time
waited on hold more than 30 minutes and still no response
April 25, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5 by Judy Absolutely Easy
Easy as 1,2,3 and now I have a SEP account. Everything was done online and I had no problems with sitting this up myself. I like the automatic fill feature it saved a lot of time.
April 16, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5 by Marilyn K SEP IRA
Pleased with the service. The overall rating is excellent.
April 4, 2016
Rated 3 out of 5 by Christopher Difficult to Fund
I too have had a poor experience due to the difficulty of funding this account. SEP-IRAs can only be funded by the employer, and despite having twice been assured by Fidelity reps that it was possible to link our corporate bank account to the SEP-IRA for EFT, the application keeps getting rejected - even though I am a signatory on both accounts. It's frustrating to be told by Fidelity to mail in a form, only to have it sent back several weeks later as rejected. Like others, I don't want to have to initiate a check, wire or phone transfer, I need a means to fund conveniently online on a monthly basis.
February 14, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5 by Dave S. Stability
Fidelity's customer service and research tools are top-notch.
December 28, 2015
Rated 5 out of 5 by Excusame Experience
To date very pleased with the experience.No complaints except I selfishly wish you would keep the Braintree office
October 1, 2015
Rated 5 out of 5 by Dave Good or bad-it's up to me
Fidelity gives me all the data required for decision making. It's up to me from there
September 18, 2015
Rated 5 out of 5 by Randy R. Excellent Investment Service
I have been a satisfied Fidelity customer for over 20 years. When I retired as an employee and started my own company last year I opened a SEP-IRA account with Fidelity. I could not be happier with the website's utility and ease of use and with the variety of investment choices available with minimal or no transaction fee. Fidelity has created a great customer experience and aims to satisfy.
August 25, 2015
Rated 3 out of 5 by gjohn impossible customer service
My account was established thru very pro-active help by a rep when I did an online inquiry. This rep remained available and helpful throughout the transfer of funds and investment of same. Since then he no longer answers my calls or returns them. Very impolite. Feel like my money is stranded at Fidelity. The general customer service line is equally unavailable.
July 20, 2015
Rated 4 out of 5 by D2 Easy to set up
I have held accounts with Fidelity for many years, and find them to be easy to work with as well as providing user-friendly platforms on their website. The only complaint about the SEP-IRA I have is the inability to direct-deposit. They make depositing money fairly difficult in this day and age.
July 9, 2015
Rated 3 out of 5 by SEP smart choice
The fidelity rep gave me an amazing presentation about where I should be investing for my age and retirement goals.
June 8, 2015
Rated 3 out of 5 by cagirl80 Great product, but lazy Financial Advisors
I opened this account when I decided to open my own consulting firm. Unfortunately, it has not turned out to be simple. The financial adviser has never called me to guide me about how to invest the money. I have to mail out a check every month which is not convenient. I don't think its the best product in terms of customer service and lack of advising.
June 8, 2015
Rated 3 out of 5 by mike it's OK
opening the account online was easy and convenient enough. Not being able to fund my account via online bank transfer not so convenient. Driving all the way to a Fidelity location or putting in mail is just an extra effort. -not sure if that's a fidelity thing or a gov't regulations thing.
May 17, 2015
Questions?
Self-Employed Contribution Calculator
Answer 5 questions to calculate how much you can contribute.