SIMPLE (or SEP) and a Roth?

Young couple; wife woks as an employee, no retirement plan offered by her employer. Husband is self-employed, filing his business income on Sch C. They both make pretty good money. Can he max-fund either a SEP or a SIMPLE, and then both max out contributions to Roths?



They both can make Roth contributions to the extent that their joint MAGI is not too high.



Thanks Alan, duly noted re the income limits for making the Roth contribution.  But assuming no limitation due to higher income, he could do both a SEP and a Roth, correct? 



Yes, both a SEP contribution and a Roth contribution can be done.



  • A one-participant 401k provides the same exact employer contribution limit (25% of compensation) as a SEP IRA, plus an employee deferral.
  • A one-participant 401k has a higher employee deferral limit (2020 = $19.5k) vs. a SIMPLE IRA (2020 = $13.5K) and a higher employer contribution limit (25% vs. 3%).


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