Simplified Employee Pension Plans (SEPs)

    Looking for a retirement plan that’s easy to set up, flexible to fund, and generous in its contribution limits? A Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan might be the perfect fit. At First State Financial Management, we help small business owners and self-employed individuals unlock the power of SEP-IRAs to build wealth and reward employees.

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    What is a SEP?

    A SEP is a retirement plan that allows employers to make tax-deductible contributions to traditional IRAs (called SEP-IRAs) for themselves and eligible employees. Contributions grow tax-deferred and are excluded from employees’ taxable income until withdrawal.

    Whether you're a sole proprietor, LLC, partnership, or corporation, SEPs offer a streamlined way to save for retirement—without the administrative burden of more complex plans.

    How to Set Up a SEP:

    You can establish and fund your SEP up until your business’s tax filing deadline—including extensions. That means self-employed individuals may have until October 15 to contribute for the prior tax year.

    Use IRS Form 5305-SEP.

    Adopt a prepackaged plan from a financial institution.

    Create a custom-designed plan with professional guidance.

    Things to Keep in Mind:

    Who Can Set Up a SEP?
    You can establish a SEP if you:
    • Own a business or have self-employment income
    • Operate as a sole proprietor, partnership, LLC, S corp, or C corp
    • Have no employees or want to include eligible employees in your plan
    Eligible employees must:
    • Be age 21 or older
    • Have worked for you in at least 3 of the last 5 years
    • Earn at least $750 in compensation in 2025
    Contribution Limits for 2025
    • Employer Contribution: Up to 25% of compensation or $70,000 (whichever is less)
    • Compensation Cap: First $350,000 of compensation considered
    • Self-Employed Contribution: Effectively capped at 20% of net earnings.
    • Employees cannot contribute pre-tax dollars to SEP-IRAs, but they can make regular IRA contributions (up to $7,000, or $8,000 if age 50+).

    Is a SEP Right for You?

    • Self-employed individuals seeking high contribution limits
    • Small businesses wanting a simple, tax-efficient retirement plan
    • Employers looking to reward staff without complex administration

    Let’s Build Your Retirement Strategy

    At First State Financial Management, we’ll help you:

    • Evaluate your eligibility
    • Compare SEP with other retirement options
    • Maximize tax benefits
    • Navigate setup and compliance

    Not Sure Where to Start?

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