by
Garrett Clark
Wealth Management
How to Turn Your Off-Duty Hours into Long-Term Wealth
A Guide for First Responders
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As a first responder, you're no stranger to long hours, unpredictable shifts, and putting others first. Whether fighting fires, responding to medical emergencies, or protecting your community, your work is demanding and essential. But when the shift ends and you have a few hours to yourself, what then?
Many first responders use those off-duty hours to run side businesses or freelance work. And while that extra income is great for covering bills or saving for short-term goals, it can also be the seed for something much bigger: long-term wealth.
If you're a first responder with a side gig, you have a unique opportunity to build real, lasting financial security—without relying solely on your pension or department retirement plan. Here’s how to turn your off-duty hustle into a long-term strategy that builds wealth, protects your future, and rewards your hard work.
Why You Need More Than a Pension
Most fire, police, and EMS professionals are part of a pension system. And while that’s a great benefit, it often isn’t enough on its own, especially if you want to retire early, maintain your lifestyle, or leave something behind for your family.
Consider this:
Pension payouts are often based on final average salary, which may not include your overtime or side income
Cost of living and inflation can erode the real value of your pension over time
If you change departments or careers, you may lose out on years of service credit
That’s where your side hustle comes in.
Your Side Gig Is More Than Just Extra Cash
Whether you're doing carpentry, running a pressure washing business, working in private security, teaching CPR, or selling gear online, your side hustle generates real income. But here’s the key:
If that income is reported as self-employment or 1099 (not W-2), you qualify for powerful retirement tools that regular employees can’t use.
And one of the most powerful tools is the Solo 401(k).
What Is a Solo 401(k)?
A Solo 401(k) is a retirement plan designed specifically for self-employed individuals and small business owners with no full-time employees (besides a spouse). As a first responder with a side gig, you likely qualify.
Why it’s a game-changer:
Huge contribution limits – Up to $69,000 in 2024 if you're under 50 (more if you're 50+)
Tax-deductible contributions – Lower your tax bill while saving
Invest your way – Stocks, index funds, real estate, precious metals, and more
Full control – You’re the business owner and the plan trustee
Even if you’re just making a few thousand dollars a year on the side, you can start small and scale up. The earlier you start, the more time compound interest has to grow your money.
As a first responder, you're no stranger to long hours, unpredictable shifts, and putting others first. Whether fighting fires, responding to medical emergencies, or protecting your community, your work is demanding and essential. But when the shift ends and you have a few hours to yourself, what then?
Many first responders use those off-duty hours to run side businesses or freelance work. And while that extra income is great for covering bills or saving for short-term goals, it can also be the seed for something much bigger: long-term wealth.
If you're a first responder with a side gig, you have a unique opportunity to build real, lasting financial security—without relying solely on your pension or department retirement plan. Here’s how to turn your off-duty hustle into a long-term strategy that builds wealth, protects your future, and rewards your hard work.
Why You Need More Than a Pension
Most fire, police, and EMS professionals are part of a pension system. And while that’s a great benefit, it often isn’t enough on its own, especially if you want to retire early, maintain your lifestyle, or leave something behind for your family.
Consider this:
Pension payouts are often based on final average salary, which may not include your overtime or side income
Cost of living and inflation can erode the real value of your pension over time
If you change departments or careers, you may lose out on years of service credit
That’s where your side hustle comes in.
Your Side Gig Is More Than Just Extra Cash
Whether you're doing carpentry, running a pressure washing business, working in private security, teaching CPR, or selling gear online, your side hustle generates real income. But here’s the key:
If that income is reported as self-employment or 1099 (not W-2), you qualify for powerful retirement tools that regular employees can’t use.
And one of the most powerful tools is the Solo 401(k).
What Is a Solo 401(k)?
A Solo 401(k) is a retirement plan designed specifically for self-employed individuals and small business owners with no full-time employees (besides a spouse). As a first responder with a side gig, you likely qualify.
Why it’s a game-changer:
Huge contribution limits – Up to $69,000 in 2024 if you're under 50 (more if you're 50+)
Tax-deductible contributions – Lower your tax bill while saving
Invest your way – Stocks, index funds, real estate, precious metals, and more
Full control – You’re the business owner and the plan trustee
Even if you’re just making a few thousand dollars a year on the side, you can start small and scale up. The earlier you start, the more time compound interest has to grow your money.
“Your shift may end—but your financial future doesn’t have to. Build wealth in the hours others waste.”
Garrett Clark
Director of Sales
Real Example: How a Firefighter Built a $250K Nest Egg with Side Income
Let’s say a firefighter named Jake makes $10,000 a year from off-duty security jobs. Instead of spending it all, he puts $5,000 each year into a Solo 401(k).
At an average return of 7% annually, here’s how it grows:
10 years: ~$70,000
20 years: ~$153,000
25 years: ~$250,000+
That’s a quarter-million dollars built just from part-time work—and Jake didn’t touch his pension, department 401(a), or Roth IRA. He created an entirely new retirement stream just from off-duty hours.
Step-by-Step: Turning Off-Duty Work into Long-Term Wealth
Here’s how to make it happen for yourself:
1. Track Your Side Income
If you’re earning side money through Venmo, checks, or cash, start tracking it and reporting it properly. You’ll need to prove self-employment income to open a Solo 401(k).
2. Form a Simple LLC (Optional but Helpful)
You don’t need an LLC to open a Solo 401(k), but it helps separate your business finances and gives you legal protection. Many first responders form a single-member LLC to handle their side gig income.
3. Open a Solo 401(k)
Choose a provider like Survival 401k that helps with the setup, IRS paperwork, and ongoing support. If you want even more control, go with a self-directed plan under your LLC.
4. Start Contributing
Even $100 a month makes a difference. As your side gig grows, increase your contributions. You can contribute as both the “employee” and the “employer,” which helps you reach the full $69,000 limit.
5. Invest with Intention
Don’t just let your money sit in cash. Invest in long-term assets—whether it's index funds, real estate, or even tax lien certificates—so your money grows faster.
Smart Tax Advantages First Responders Can Use
Tax Deductions: Your Solo 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income
Tax-Free Growth: Roth contributions grow tax-free for life
Business Write-Offs: Mileage, equipment, uniforms, and marketing for your side gig can all be deducted
Legacy Planning: A Solo 401(k) lets you name a beneficiary and even roll the plan into an Inherited IRA for your loved ones
These strategies are what high-income professionals use—and now, you can too.
Peace of Mind for the People Who Serve
You serve the community every day. You respond to calls that most people run from. You sacrifice sleep, holidays, and sometimes your well-being to help others.
You deserve to retire with confidence—and not worry about whether your pension will be enough.
With just a few focused hours each week, your side gig can become a vehicle for financial freedom. You’re not just earning extra income—you’re building a second foundation for your family’s future.
Don’t Just Work Off-Duty—Build Off-Duty Wealth
Your time is valuable. What you do with it matters.
By treating your side income as the seed of your long-term wealth, not just short-term cash, you gain control over your future. You gain peace of mind. And you gain the power to retire on your terms.
Don’t wait until retirement is around the corner to plan for it.
Start using your off-duty hours to build the future you deserve—one step at a time.
Want help setting up a Solo 401(k) that works with your off-duty income?
Visit Survival401k.com and talk to a retirement specialist who understands what it means to serve—and how to help you prepare for what comes next.
Real Example: How a Firefighter Built a $250K Nest Egg with Side Income
Let’s say a firefighter named Jake makes $10,000 a year from off-duty security jobs. Instead of spending it all, he puts $5,000 each year into a Solo 401(k).
At an average return of 7% annually, here’s how it grows:
10 years: ~$70,000
20 years: ~$153,000
25 years: ~$250,000+
That’s a quarter-million dollars built just from part-time work—and Jake didn’t touch his pension, department 401(a), or Roth IRA. He created an entirely new retirement stream just from off-duty hours.
Step-by-Step: Turning Off-Duty Work into Long-Term Wealth
Here’s how to make it happen for yourself:
1. Track Your Side Income
If you’re earning side money through Venmo, checks, or cash, start tracking it and reporting it properly. You’ll need to prove self-employment income to open a Solo 401(k).
2. Form a Simple LLC (Optional but Helpful)
You don’t need an LLC to open a Solo 401(k), but it helps separate your business finances and gives you legal protection. Many first responders form a single-member LLC to handle their side gig income.
3. Open a Solo 401(k)
Choose a provider like Survival 401k that helps with the setup, IRS paperwork, and ongoing support. If you want even more control, go with a self-directed plan under your LLC.
4. Start Contributing
Even $100 a month makes a difference. As your side gig grows, increase your contributions. You can contribute as both the “employee” and the “employer,” which helps you reach the full $69,000 limit.
5. Invest with Intention
Don’t just let your money sit in cash. Invest in long-term assets—whether it's index funds, real estate, or even tax lien certificates—so your money grows faster.
Smart Tax Advantages First Responders Can Use
Tax Deductions: Your Solo 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income
Tax-Free Growth: Roth contributions grow tax-free for life
Business Write-Offs: Mileage, equipment, uniforms, and marketing for your side gig can all be deducted
Legacy Planning: A Solo 401(k) lets you name a beneficiary and even roll the plan into an Inherited IRA for your loved ones
These strategies are what high-income professionals use—and now, you can too.
Peace of Mind for the People Who Serve
You serve the community every day. You respond to calls that most people run from. You sacrifice sleep, holidays, and sometimes your well-being to help others.
You deserve to retire with confidence—and not worry about whether your pension will be enough.
With just a few focused hours each week, your side gig can become a vehicle for financial freedom. You’re not just earning extra income—you’re building a second foundation for your family’s future.
Don’t Just Work Off-Duty—Build Off-Duty Wealth
Your time is valuable. What you do with it matters.
By treating your side income as the seed of your long-term wealth, not just short-term cash, you gain control over your future. You gain peace of mind. And you gain the power to retire on your terms.
Don’t wait until retirement is around the corner to plan for it.
Start using your off-duty hours to build the future you deserve—one step at a time.
Want help setting up a Solo 401(k) that works with your off-duty income?
Visit Survival401k.com and talk to a retirement specialist who understands what it means to serve—and how to help you prepare for what comes next.
As a first responder, you're no stranger to long hours, unpredictable shifts, and putting others first. Whether fighting fires, responding to medical emergencies, or protecting your community, your work is demanding and essential. But when the shift ends and you have a few hours to yourself, what then?
Many first responders use those off-duty hours to run side businesses or freelance work. And while that extra income is great for covering bills or saving for short-term goals, it can also be the seed for something much bigger: long-term wealth.
If you're a first responder with a side gig, you have a unique opportunity to build real, lasting financial security—without relying solely on your pension or department retirement plan. Here’s how to turn your off-duty hustle into a long-term strategy that builds wealth, protects your future, and rewards your hard work.
Why You Need More Than a Pension
Most fire, police, and EMS professionals are part of a pension system. And while that’s a great benefit, it often isn’t enough on its own, especially if you want to retire early, maintain your lifestyle, or leave something behind for your family.
Consider this:
Pension payouts are often based on final average salary, which may not include your overtime or side income
Cost of living and inflation can erode the real value of your pension over time
If you change departments or careers, you may lose out on years of service credit
That’s where your side hustle comes in.
Your Side Gig Is More Than Just Extra Cash
Whether you're doing carpentry, running a pressure washing business, working in private security, teaching CPR, or selling gear online, your side hustle generates real income. But here’s the key:
If that income is reported as self-employment or 1099 (not W-2), you qualify for powerful retirement tools that regular employees can’t use.
And one of the most powerful tools is the Solo 401(k).
What Is a Solo 401(k)?
A Solo 401(k) is a retirement plan designed specifically for self-employed individuals and small business owners with no full-time employees (besides a spouse). As a first responder with a side gig, you likely qualify.
Why it’s a game-changer:
Huge contribution limits – Up to $69,000 in 2024 if you're under 50 (more if you're 50+)
Tax-deductible contributions – Lower your tax bill while saving
Invest your way – Stocks, index funds, real estate, precious metals, and more
Full control – You’re the business owner and the plan trustee
Even if you’re just making a few thousand dollars a year on the side, you can start small and scale up. The earlier you start, the more time compound interest has to grow your money.
“Your shift may end—but your financial future doesn’t have to. Build wealth in the hours others waste.”
Garrett Clark
Director of Sales
Real Example: How a Firefighter Built a $250K Nest Egg with Side Income
Let’s say a firefighter named Jake makes $10,000 a year from off-duty security jobs. Instead of spending it all, he puts $5,000 each year into a Solo 401(k).
At an average return of 7% annually, here’s how it grows:
10 years: ~$70,000
20 years: ~$153,000
25 years: ~$250,000+
That’s a quarter-million dollars built just from part-time work—and Jake didn’t touch his pension, department 401(a), or Roth IRA. He created an entirely new retirement stream just from off-duty hours.
Step-by-Step: Turning Off-Duty Work into Long-Term Wealth
Here’s how to make it happen for yourself:
1. Track Your Side Income
If you’re earning side money through Venmo, checks, or cash, start tracking it and reporting it properly. You’ll need to prove self-employment income to open a Solo 401(k).
2. Form a Simple LLC (Optional but Helpful)
You don’t need an LLC to open a Solo 401(k), but it helps separate your business finances and gives you legal protection. Many first responders form a single-member LLC to handle their side gig income.
3. Open a Solo 401(k)
Choose a provider like Survival 401k that helps with the setup, IRS paperwork, and ongoing support. If you want even more control, go with a self-directed plan under your LLC.
4. Start Contributing
Even $100 a month makes a difference. As your side gig grows, increase your contributions. You can contribute as both the “employee” and the “employer,” which helps you reach the full $69,000 limit.
5. Invest with Intention
Don’t just let your money sit in cash. Invest in long-term assets—whether it's index funds, real estate, or even tax lien certificates—so your money grows faster.
Smart Tax Advantages First Responders Can Use
Tax Deductions: Your Solo 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income
Tax-Free Growth: Roth contributions grow tax-free for life
Business Write-Offs: Mileage, equipment, uniforms, and marketing for your side gig can all be deducted
Legacy Planning: A Solo 401(k) lets you name a beneficiary and even roll the plan into an Inherited IRA for your loved ones
These strategies are what high-income professionals use—and now, you can too.
Peace of Mind for the People Who Serve
You serve the community every day. You respond to calls that most people run from. You sacrifice sleep, holidays, and sometimes your well-being to help others.
You deserve to retire with confidence—and not worry about whether your pension will be enough.
With just a few focused hours each week, your side gig can become a vehicle for financial freedom. You’re not just earning extra income—you’re building a second foundation for your family’s future.
Don’t Just Work Off-Duty—Build Off-Duty Wealth
Your time is valuable. What you do with it matters.
By treating your side income as the seed of your long-term wealth, not just short-term cash, you gain control over your future. You gain peace of mind. And you gain the power to retire on your terms.
Don’t wait until retirement is around the corner to plan for it.
Start using your off-duty hours to build the future you deserve—one step at a time.