Solo 401K

A Self-Directed Solo 401(k) Account is the Best Way For Business Owners to Save For Retirement.
Diversify your retirement portfolio and have more control over your investments.
Contribute to your plan on a pre-tax (Traditional) or post-tax (Roth) basis.
Invest in real estate, private company stock, crowdfunding, private loans, cryptocurrency and more with your self-directed solo 401(k) account.
A Solo 401(k) — also known as an Individual 401(k), Owner 401(k) or Self-employed 401(k) — is the favored option for successful business owners to save for their retirement future.
Invest in what you know
With most IRA plans, your investment choices are limited to what the sponsoring firm sells – typically publicly traded stocks, mutual funds & bonds, insurance annuities, or bank CD’s. With an IRA LLC, you choose how the funds are invested and can select from a wide array of asset classes, including:
Businesses or Individuals
Bonds & Mutual Funds
Businesses or Individuals
Anything the IRS Rules Allow
The IRS prohibits investments in collectibles (artwork, jewelry, stamps, etc.) and life insurance. Everything else is possible.This flexibility provides you with the ability to invest in what you know. You can leverage your expertise and network to put your IRA to work in your own community and grow your retirement savings with confidence.
What is a Self-Directed Solo 401(k) plan?
A 401(k) plan is an employer sponsored retirement savings plan established per provisions of the US tax code. Such plans first came into existence following the enactment of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
A Solo 401(k) is a relatively new iteration of this type of plan dating to 2001 and passage of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA). This law increased the contributions available to the self-employed version of the 401(k) and generally streamlined the administration of such plans.
Since its introduction, the Solo 401(k) has become the favored option for successful business owners to save for their retirement future, and offers many advantages over options such as SEP IRA’s, SIMPLE IRA’s and Keough plans. For self-employed investors who qualify, this is our recommended plan of choice.
"Income from the sponsoring employer may be contributed to the plan on a tax-deferred or Roth basis. Contribution limits are more generous than with IRA based plans, potentially as high as $67,500 per participant."
Many types of existing retirement plans such as IRA accounts or former employer 401(k) plans can be rolled over into a Solo 401(k), without taxes or penalties. All investments made with the Solo 401(k) will have the same tax-preferred status as any other similar retirement plan.
This type of qualified retirement plan is also sometimes referred to as an Individual 401(k), Owner 401(k) or self-employed 401(k).

Safeguard Solo 401 (k) features & benefits
How does a Solo 401(k) Work?
The 401(k) plan itself is a specialized retirement savings trust. As the self-employed business owner, you serve as the trustee of the plan, and have control over how the plan is managed. Rather than have your plan administered by a generic financial services firm with limited investment options, you can self-administer the plan and therefore invest as you choose.
As the trustee and plan administrator, you have the direct ability to put your 401(k) savings to work. When a good investment opportunity comes along, you simply execute the contracts and fund the transaction from the 401(k) trust bank account. All expenses associated with the acquisition and maintenance of investment assets are paid from the plan account, and all income produced by those investments is returned to the trust account. Income from investments is tax-sheltered under the umbrella of the Solo 401(k).
As part of the plan setup process, you will establish one or more accounts for your 401(k) plan with a bank and/or brokerage house you select. That institution, however, will not be providing any 401(k) related services or have control over how the plan is invested. They will simply be holding a trust account for which you – the plan trustee – have full control.
You are in control
The 401(k) plan itself is a specialized retirement savings trust. As the self-employed business owner, you serve as the trustee of the plan, and have control over how the plan is managed. Rather than have your plan administered by a generic financial services firm with limited investment options, you can self-administer the plan and therefore invest as you choose.
As the trustee and plan administrator, you have the direct ability to put your 401(k) savings to work. When a good investment opportunity comes along, you simply execute the contracts and fund the transaction from the 401(k) trust bank account. All expenses associated with the acquisition and maintenance of investment assets are paid from the plan account, and all income produced by those investments is returned to the trust account. Income from investments is tax-sheltered under the umbrella of the Solo 401(k).
As part of the plan setup process, you will establish one or more accounts for your 401(k) plan with a bank and/or brokerage house you select. That institution, however, will not be providing any 401(k) related services or have control over how the plan is invested. They will simply be holding a trust account for which you – the plan trustee – have full control.
Solo 401(K) plan overview
The 401(k) plan itself is a specialized retirement savings trust. As the self-employed business owner, you serve as the trustee of the plan, and have control over how the plan is managed. Rather than have your plan administered by a generic financial services firm with limited investment options, you can self-administer the plan and therefore invest as you choose.
As the trustee and plan administrator, you have the direct ability to put your 401(k) savings to work. When a good investment opportunity comes along, you simply execute the contracts and fund the transaction from the 401(k) trust bank account. All expenses associated with the acquisition and maintenance of investment assets are paid from the plan account, and all income produced by those investments is returned to the trust account. Income from investments is tax-sheltered under the umbrella of the Solo 401(k).
As part of the plan setup process, you will establish one or more accounts for your 401(k) plan with a bank and/or brokerage house you select. That institution, however, will not be providing any 401(k) related services or have control over how the plan is invested. They will simply be holding a trust account for which you – the plan trustee – have full control.
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Quick answers to common questions
We’ll take you through a simple, step by step process designed to put your investment future into your own hands…immediately. Everything is handled on a turn-key basis. You take 100% control of your Retirement funds legally and without a taxable distribution.
YES! In 1974, Congress passed the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) making IRA, 401(k) and other retirement plans possible. Only two types of investments are excluded under ERISA and IRS Codes: Life Insurance Contracts and Collectibles (art, jewelry, etc.). Everything else is fair game. IRS CodeSec. 401 IRC 408(a) (3)
It’s actually pretty simple. Early on, regulators let the securities industry take the lead in educating the public about retirement accounts. Naturally, brokers and banks promoted stocks, bonds, and mutual funds—giving the impression that those were the only allowed investments. That was never true... and still isn’t. You can probably guess why they kept the rest under wraps.
It is possible to use funds from most types of retirement accounts:
- Traditional IRA
- Roth IRA
- SEP IRA
- SIMPLE IRA
- Keogh
- 401(k)
- 403(b)
- Profit Sharing Plans
- Qualified Annuities
- Money Purchase Plans
- and many more.
It must be noted that most employer sponsored plans such as a 401(k) will not allow you to roll youraccount into a new Self-Directed IRA plan while you are still employed. However, some employers will allow you to roll a portion of your funds. The only way to be completely sure whether your funds are eligible for a rollover is by contacting your current 401(k) provider.
A Solo 401(k) requires a sponsoring employer in the format of an owner-only business. If you have a for-profit business activity – whether as your main income or as a side venture – and have no full-time employees other than potentially your spouse, your business may qualify. The business may be a sole-proprietorship, LLC, corporation or other entity type.
A self-directed retirement plan is a type of IRA or 401(k) that gives you greater control over how your retirement funds are invested. Unlike traditional accounts held at banks or brokerage firms that limit you to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, self-directed plans allow you to invest in a wide range of alternative assets including real estate, private businesses, precious metals, cryptocurrency, and more.
These plans still follow the same IRS rules and maintain the same tax-deferred or tax-free benefits as conventional retirement accounts. The difference is simply in how and where you choose to invest.
No. Moving to a self-directed IRA or Solo 401(k) does not trigger any taxes, as long as your funds are eligible for rollover.
Self-directed retirement plans maintain the same tax-advantaged status as traditional plans offered by banks or brokerage firms. The key difference is flexibility—our plans are designed to give you greater control and allow for a wider range of alternative investments beyond stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
A prohibited transaction is any action between your retirement plan and a disqualified person that violates IRS rules and can lead to serious tax consequences. Under IRS Code 4975(c)(1), prohibited transactions include:
- Selling or leasing property between your plan and a disqualified person Example: Your IRA cannot purchase a property you already own.
- Lending money or extending credit between the plan and a disqualified person Example: You cannot personally guarantee a loan your IRA uses to buy real estate.
- Providing goods or services between your plan and a disqualified person Example: You can’t use your personal furniture to furnish a rental property owned by your IRA.
- Using plan income or assets for the benefit of a disqualified person Example: Your IRA cannot buy a vacation home that you or your family use.
- Self-dealing by a fiduciary (using plan assets for their own benefit) Example: Your CPA shouldn't loan your IRA money if they’re advising the plan.
- Receiving personal benefit from a deal involving your IRA's assets Example: You can’t pay yourself from profits your IRA earns on a rental.
If a transaction doesn’t clearly fall within the allowed guidelines, the IRS or Department of Labor may review the situation to determine if it qualifies as a prohibited transaction.
Disqualified persons are individuals or entities that are prohibited from engaging in certain transactions with your IRA or 401(k). Doing so could trigger a prohibited transaction, which may result in taxes and penalties.
Here’s who is considered a disqualified person:
- You (the account holder)
- Your spouse
- Your parents, grandparents, and other ancestors
- Your children, grandchildren, and their spouses
- Any advisor or fiduciary to the plan
- Any business or entity owned 50% or more by you or another disqualified person, or where you have decision-making authority
These rules exist to prevent self-dealing and ensure your retirement plan remains in compliance with IRS regulations.
(Reference: IRC 4975)
Understanding and following these rules can be tricky, but it’s very doable. The best way to stay compliant is to work with professionals who specialize in self-directed retirement plans. They can help you navigate IRS guidelines and avoid prohibited transactions.
If an IRA holder is found to have engaged in a prohibited transaction with IRA funds, it will result in a distribution of the IRA. The taxes and penalties are severe and are applicable to all of the IRA’s assets on the first day of the year in which the prohibited transaction occurred.
Yes. While self-directed retirement plans allow for a wide range of investments, there are a few important restrictions.
You cannot invest in collectibles or life insurance contracts, and you must avoid prohibited transactions—activities that benefit you personally rather than the retirement plan. These include things like buying or selling property to yourself or family members, using plan assets for personal gain, or self-dealing in any way.
Violating these rules could cause your entire IRA to lose its tax-advantaged status. To protect your account, it’s essential to work with professionals who understand IRS regulations and can help you stay compliant.
This is a common misconception. In many cases, professionals may simply be unfamiliar with self-directed retirement plans, as they fall outside their usual scope of work. CPAs and tax preparers are trained to file taxes, not necessarily to advise on alternative retirement strategies. Financial advisors and brokers often work for firms that focus on traditional investments like stocks and mutual funds—and may not benefit from or support alternative options like real estate or private lending.
Self-directed retirement investing is legal under IRS rules—but like any specialized area, it requires working with professionals who understand how it works.
The IRS has rules in place to make sure your IRA is used only for the exclusive benefit of the retirement account—not for personal gain or to help family members. These rules can get complicated because there are many ways a conflict of interest can occur, even unintentionally.
For example, if your IRA buys a house and rents it to your mother, you might be reluctant to evict her if she stops paying rent. That emotional connection creates a conflict between what’s best for your IRA and your personal relationships, something the IRS aims to prevent.
These rules help ensure your retirement account stays compliant and protected. (See IRC 408)
Yes. Most tax-deferred retirement accounts—such as Traditional IRAs, old 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and TSPs—can be rolled over into a self-directed IRA or Solo 401(k), depending on your eligibility. Roth IRAs cannot be rolled into these accounts.
You can contribute directly from earned income, subject to annual IRS contribution limits. The method and amount depend on the type of plan you have (e.g., Solo 401(k) vs. IRA).
To take a distribution, you'll request funds through your custodian or plan administrator. Distributions may be taxable depending on your account type and age. Early withdrawals may be subject to penalties.
For 2025, the Solo 401(k) max contribution limit is $81,250 if age 60-63, $77,500 if age 50-59 or 69+, and $70,000 if under 50. Traditional and Roth IRAs have a limit of $7,000 ($8,000 if age 50+). Limits are subject to IRS adjustments.
Yes. IRA contributions are typically due by your personal tax filing deadline (e.g., April 15). Solo 401(k) contributions follow your business tax filing deadline, including extensions.
IRS reporting requirements vary depending on the type of self-directed retirement plan you have. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know
Please note: Our team can help you understand what’s required for your specific account, but we don’t provide tax or legal advice. We always recommend working with a qualified tax professional to ensure full IRS compliance.
Self-Directed IRA (Traditional or Roth)
- Form 5498 – Filed by your custodian each year to report contributions, rollovers, and the fair market value (FMV) of your account.
- Form 1099-R – Issued if you take a distribution or move funds out of your IRA.
- Annual Valuation – You'll need to provide updated FMV for any alternative assets held in the account, such as real estate or private placements.
Solo 401(k)
- Form 5500-EZ – Required if your plan assets exceed $250,000 as of year-end. Must be filed annually by the plan participant.
- Form 1099-R – Required if you take a distribution or roll funds out of the plan.
- Contribution Tracking – Keep records of employee and employer contributions. These are not filed with the IRS but may be needed for tax reporting or audits.
SEP IRA
- Form 5498 – Filed by your custodian to report contributions and FMV.
- Form 1099-R – Filed by your custodian. Issued for any distributions.
- Employer Contributions – Must be reported on your business tax return (and on employee W-2s, if applicable).
Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Form 5498-SA – Filed by your HSA custodian to report contributions.
- Form 1099-SA – Filed by your HAS custodian. Issued for any distributions.
- Form 8889 – Must be included with your personal tax return to report contributions, distributions, and how funds were used.


