Real-estate agents and brokers
Commission income arrives unevenly. A Solo 401(k) lets contribution decisions follow the year you actually had, within the annual limits and plan calculations.
For real-estate professionalsReal-estate investors
Investors who already understand property often want a retirement structure that can hold assets beyond a standard brokerage menu, where the plan and institution permit it.
Consultants and independent professionals
Contract and 1099 income can support both employee and employer contributions, subject to compensation and plan calculations.
Owner-only trades and service businesses
Owner-operators with no eligible common-law employees may be able to use a plan structure that larger employers cannot.
A spouse working in the business
Where a spouse is genuinely employed by the business, the plan may cover both of you without losing owner-only status. The facts should be reviewed.
None of these situations guarantees eligibility or any tax result. Employee, controlled-group and affiliated-service-group facts require review, and outcomes depend on your circumstances. Consult your tax or legal adviser.
Common thread
You are the plan sponsor, so the details matter
In an owner-only plan there is no HR department behind you. That is why we stay involved after the documents are signed - for the contribution question in December, the rollover that stalls, the form a custodian asks for.