Blog

Plain-English articles on Solo 401(k) plans.

Education for self-employed and 1099 professionals - plan rules, structure, real-estate considerations and administration. Educational only; not legal, tax or investment advice.

Investment Guidance

What It Means to Be the Fiduciary of a Solo 401(k)

Learn what it means to be the fiduciary of a Solo 401(k) and the responsibilities that come with managing a self-directed retirement plan. This blog explores fiduciary duties, compliance considerations, investment flexibility, prohibited transactions, checkbook control, real estate investing, and how Solo 401(k) owners can take a more active role in directing their retirement future while maintaining proper plan oversight.

By Garrett Clark

Investment Guidance

What Higher Interest Rates Mean for Solo 401(k) Investors

Interest rates play a significant role in the financial markets, influencing everything from borrowing costs and real estate values to bond yields and stock market performance. In recent years, investors have experienced an environment of elevated interest rates as central banks have worked to combat inflation and stabilize the economy. For Solo 401(k) investors, higher interest rates can create both challenges and opportunities. Understanding how rates affect different investment types can help investors make more informed decisions and potentially position their retirement portfolios for long-term success.

By Garrett Clark

Estate Planning

Solo 401(k) vs. Trust: Understanding Estate Planning Tools and Their Roles

Many business owners spend years building wealth but overlook one important question: What happens to those assets when you're gone? Estate planning is not just about transferring wealth. It is about protecting your family, reducing complications, maintaining privacy, and ensuring your wishes are carried out efficiently. Two powerful tools that often come up in estate planning discussions are the Solo 401(k) and trusts. While both can play important roles in a comprehensive estate plan, they serve different purposes and offer unique advantages. Understanding how they work together can help business owners and investors create a more complete strategy for preserving and transferring wealth.

By Garrett Clark

Estate Planning

What Happens to Your 401(k) When You Pass?

A Guide for Families and Future Planners

By Garrett Clark

Investment Guidance

Unlocking Wealth: Types of Precious Metals You Can Invest in with a Solo 401(k)

In this blog, we’ll break down the different types of precious metals you can invest in through your Solo 401(k), including gold, silver, bullion bars, junk silver, monster boxes, and more - and how each can support your retirement strategy

By Garrett Clark

Wealth Management

The Complete Solo 401(k) Contribution Guide (2026)

One of the biggest advantages of a Solo 401(k) is its ability to help eligible self-employed individuals and business owners save significantly for retirement. However, understanding how contribution limits work can be confusing because a Solo 401(k) allows contributions in two different roles - employee and employer. Add in catch-up contributions, SECURE 2.0 changes, compensation limits, and different business structures, and it's easy to see why many business owners have questions. This guide explains how Solo 401(k) contributions work for 2026, breaks down the IRS limits, discusses catch-up contribution rules, and provides examples to help you better understand how much you may be able to contribute.

By Garrett Clark

Tax Planning

Tax Planning with a 401(k)

Whether you're fully self-employed, juggling a side hustle, or a first responder earning extra income on the side, tax planning should be part of your financial toolkit. This blog explores how a Solo 401(k) can help reduce your tax bill while building long-term retirement wealth. You'll learn how much you can contribute, how it affects your taxable income, and why it's one of the most powerful tools available for freelancers, gig workers, small business owners, and first responders alike. Take control of your income - and your future - with smart tax strategies built around your 401(k).

By Garrett Clark

Solo Business Guidance

The Ultimate Solo 401(k) FAQ

If you're self-employed, own a small business, or earn income from freelancing or a side hustle, you've probably heard of the Solo 401(k). But how does it work? Who qualifies? What can you invest in? And how does it compare to other retirement accounts? This comprehensive FAQ answers the most common questions about Solo 401(k) plans, helping you understand eligibility, contributions, rollovers, investment options, loans, distributions, and much more. Whether you're just getting started or already have a Solo 401(k), this guide is designed to be your go-to resource.

By Garrett Clark

Solo Business Guidance

The Hidden Costs of Running a Solo Business (And How to Manage Them)

Starting a solo business often looks simple from the outside. You set your own schedule, control your income, and answer to no boss. But many entrepreneurs quickly discover that running a one-person business comes with expenses employees rarely think about. Health insurance, self-employment taxes, LLC fees, insurance policies, software subscriptions, retirement savings, and other costs can add up fast. The good news is that understanding these hidden expenses ahead of time can help you budget effectively, maintain profitability, and build a stronger financial future. Here's what every solo business owner should know.

By Garrett Clark

Retirement planning

W-2 + 1099 Income? Here’s How to Maximize Both Plans

If you earn both W-2 and 1099 income, you have unique opportunities to maximize retirement contributions and reduce taxes. This blog breaks down how to strategically use a workplace 401(k) and a Solo 401(k) together, helping you take advantage of higher contribution limits, employer contributions, and flexible tax strategies to build long-term wealth.

By Garrett Clark

Tax Planning

The Solo 401(k) and Tax Planning Playbook

Discover how a Solo 401(k) can become one of the most powerful tools in your tax planning strategy. In this guide, we break down how self-employed business owners, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and independent contractors can potentially reduce taxable income, take advantage of tax-deferred or tax-free growth, maximize retirement contributions, and build long-term wealth. Learn practical strategies for using a Solo 401(k) to create tax diversification, improve financial flexibility, and make the most of your retirement planning opportunities.

By Garrett Clark

Tax Planning

What Every CPA Wishes Their Clients Knew About Retirement Plans

Retirement plans are among the most powerful tax and wealth-building tools available to business owners, yet they are also one of the most misunderstood. Every year, CPAs encounter clients who pay more taxes than necessary, miss valuable contribution opportunities, or wait too long to establish a retirement plan. The reality is that strategic retirement planning can significantly impact both current tax savings and long-term financial security. Whether you are self-employed, own a small business, or operate a growing company, understanding how retirement plans work can help you make more informed financial decisions. Here are some of the key retirement planning concepts that CPAs wish more clients understood.

By Garrett Clark

Ready to move from reading to doing?

When the reading has answered your questions, the Application Center walks through what to have ready.

Application Center Explore the Solo 401(k)