Retirement Savings for the Self-Employed
Working for yourself means no employer 401(k) — but it also means access to retirement accounts with dramatically higher limits than most employees get. The hard part is just funding them consistently.
You can save far more than an employee
A SEP IRA allows up to ~20% of net self-employment earnings, capped at $70,000 for 2025 — roughly triple a standard IRA. A Solo 401(k) can allow even more at moderate incomes by stacking an employee deferral ($23,500 for 2025) on top of the employer portion.
Choosing the right account
SEP IRA: simplest, employer-only, scales with income. Solo 401(k): higher total at moderate incomes, Roth option, loan access, more admin. Roth IRA: $7,500 (2026) of tax-free growth, great as a complement. Compare your numbers before choosing — the right answer depends on income and goals.
Funding it on variable income
The hardest part of self-employed retirement is consistency when income is uneven. Auto-contributing a percentage of every payment scales with reality — you bank more in strong months automatically. The Gigaverse PRActicle™ (via a FINRA/SIPC-member broker-dealer) does this from each payout.
Risk and returns
Higher contribution room doesn't mean guaranteed growth — investments fluctuate and can lose value. The advantage of self-employed accounts is capacity and tax treatment, not a promised return.
Frequently asked
What is the best retirement plan if I am self-employed?+
It depends on income. A SEP IRA is simple and allows up to $70,000 (2025); a Solo 401(k) can allow more at moderate incomes with a Roth option. The Gigaverse PRActicle™ is a portable Roth IRA via a FINRA/SIPC-member broker-dealer.
How much can the self-employed contribute?+
A SEP IRA allows roughly 20% of net self-employment earnings up to $70,000 for 2026; a standard/Roth IRA is capped at $7,500 ($8,600 if 50+). Your limit depends on your net earnings.
Can I automate retirement saving?+
Yes — Gigaverse auto-contributes a percentage of every payment to your portable IRA, smoothing out irregular self-employment income.
Let Gigaverse handle it automatically
Auto-tracked deductions Quarterly estimates Portable IRA
Educational estimates only — not tax, legal, or investment advice. Gigaverse is not a bank; brokerage services via a FINRA/SIPC-member broker-dealer. Outcomes depend on your individual circumstances.