Merrill A Bank of America Company Merrill A Bank of America Company Open an account Login Open Menu bar Find answers to common questions at MerrillSchedule an Open an accountwith Merrill Expand all Show more information about An Individual 401(k) is a flexible plan offering the potential for tax-deferred growth and high contribution limits to self-employed people and owner-only businesses. Learn moreabout Individual 401(k)s Show more information about A Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP) IRA is a flexible retirement plan offering the potential for tax-deferred growth to business owners and their employees as well as self-employed people. Learn moreabout SEP IRAs Show more information about A Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) IRA is a plan for businesses with 100 or fewer employees. You make contributions for your employees, who can also contribute through salary deferrals. Learn moreabout SIMPLE IRAs Show more information about A Small Business 401(k) is a streamlined and affordable retirement plan designed with small business owners and their employees in mind. Learn moreabout Small Business 401(k)s What plan fits my business? Reduce your personal and business taxes while having access to your money through loansFootnote2 with this affordable plan for self-employed business owners and their spouses. What plan fits my business? Benefit from the flexibility to contribute as your cash flow allows, while offering employees the potential for tax deferred growth and contribution limits nearly 10 times higher than a traditional IRA. What plan fits my business? Have 100 or fewer employees and predictable cash flow? Take advantage of easy plan-administration, while offering potential tax advantages to your business and employees. What plan fits my business? Attract and retain talented employees by offering an affordable, easy-to-manage 401(k) — designed for the needs of small businesses. Contributions Employer contributions are generally tax deductible by business. If this is a new 401(k) plan and you have 100 or fewer employees, you may also benefit from a tax credit of up to $5000 for the first 3 years.Footnote1 For the first 5 years, you may also benefit from an additional tax credit for making certain employer contributions, subject to certain limits and phase out over the 5-year period.Footnote5 Plan expenses are generally tax deductible by business. Employer contributions are flexible. Business owners can also contribute as employees. A Roth (after-tax salary deferrals) option is available for employee contributions. Loans and withdrawals are available if you choose these features in your plan. Participants may incur additional taxes if certain conditions aren't met.Footnote2 Contributions Employer contributions are generally tax deductible by business. Merrill does not charge setup or administrative fees for SEP IRAs. If this is a new retirement plan and you have 100 or fewer employees, you may also benefit from a tax credit of up to $5000 for the first 3 years.Footnote1 For the first 5 years, you may also benefit from an additional tax credit for making certain employer contributions, subject to certain limits and phase out over the 5-year period.Footnote5 Plan expenses are generally tax deductible by business. Employers have the flexibility to decide whether or not to contribute in any given year as well as contribution amount. Business owners can not contribute as employees. Contributions are made only by the business. Employees cannot contribute. A Roth (after-tax salary deferrals) option is not available. If made available under the Merrill SEP IRA, contributions could be designated as Roth (after-tax) contributions at the election of the employer. Loans are not available. Withdrawals taken before age 59½ — with certain exceptions — are subject to an additional 10% early withdrawal tax. Contributions Employer contributions are generally tax deductible by business. If this is a new retirement plan, you may also benefit from a tax credit of up to $5000 for the first 3 years. For the first 5 years, you may also benefit from an additional tax credit for making certain employer contributions, subject to certain limits and phase out over the 5-year period. Plan expenses are generally tax deductible by business. Employer contributions are flexible. Employees can contribute. A Roth (after-tax salary deferrals) option is not available. If made available under the Merrill SIMPLE IRA, employee contributions could be designated as Roth (after-tax) contributions at the election of the employee. Loans are not available. Withdrawals taken before age 59½ — with certain exceptions — are subject to an additional 10% early withdrawal tax (increased to 25% if withdrawn within the first 2 years of contributing to the plan). Contributions Employer contributions are generally tax deductible by business. If this is a new 401(k) plan and you have 100 or fewer employees, you may also benefit from a tax credit of up to $5000 for the first 3 years.Footnote1 For the first 5 years, you may also benefit from an additional tax credit for making certain employer contributions, subject to certain limits and phase out over the 5-year period. Plan expenses are generally tax deductible by business. Employer contributions are flexible. Employees can contribute. A Roth (after-tax salary deferrals) option is available for employee contributions. Loans and withdrawals are available if you choose these features in your plan. Participants may incur additional taxes if certain conditions aren't met.Footnote2 Investment Choices Funds and model portfolios — selected and managed by Morningstar Investment Management LLC — help take the guesswork out of investing.Footnote3 Investment Choices You and your employees can access a full range of investment choices, including stocks, bonds, options, ETFs and well-known mutual funds. Investment Choices You and your employees can access a full range of investment choices, including stocks, bonds, options, ETFs and well-known mutual funds. Investment Choices Funds and model portfolios — selected and managed by Morningstar Investment Management LLC — help take the guesswork out of investing.Footnote3 IRS filing is required only when plan assets are greater than $250,000. When that threshold is met, a signature-ready Form 5500 will be prepared for employer review, at no additional cost. Filing Requirements No. IRS reporting is not required, but notification of employer contributions must be made to employees annually. Filing Requirements No. IRS reporting is not required, but notification of employer contributions must be made to employees annually. Filing Requirements Employers with eligible W-2 employees are generally required to file IRS Form 5500 annually. Businesses with no eligible W-2 employees are required to file only when plan assets are greater than $250,000. A signature-ready Form 5500 will be prepared for employer review, at no additional cost. Contribution Limits Under age 50 The maximum combined business and employee annual contribution is the lesser of 100% of compensation or $66,000 in 2023 per participating employee. 50 or over For employees age 50 and older who are eligible to make catch-up contributions, the maximum combined business and employee annual contribution is the lesser of 100% of compensation or $73,500 in 2023 per participating employee. Contribution Limits Under age 50 For all participating employees, employer contributions are limited to the lesser of $66,000 in 2023 or 25% of eligible compensation (20% of self-employed net earnings). 50 or over For all participating employees, employer contributions are limited to the lesser of $66,000 in 2023 or 25% of eligible compensation (20% of self-employed net earnings). Catch-up contributions are not permitted. Contribution Limits Under age 50 For employees under age 50, including business owners, the employees can defer up to $15,500 of salary in 2023. Businesses must contribute between 2% (minimum) to the lesser of 10% or $5000 (indexed for inflation) for each eligible employee regardless of participation to all eligible participants, or a dollar-for-dollar match of employee contributions up to 3% of compensation. If needed, the cap may be reduced as low as 1% for any 2 years during a 5-year period. Combined employee and employer contributions cannot exceed $31,000 in 2023. 50 or over Employees age 50 and older, who are eligible to make catch-up contributions, including business owners, can defer up to $19,000 of salary in 2023. Businesses must contribute between 2% (minimum) to the lesser of 10% or $5000 (indexed for inflation) for each eligible employee regardless of participation to all eligible participants, or a dollar-for-dollar match of employee contributions up to 3% of compensation. If needed, the cap may be reduced as low as 1% for any 2 years during a 5-year period. Combined employee and employer contributions cannot exceed $38,000 in 2023. Contribution Limits Under age 50 The maximum combined business and employee annual contribution is the lesser of 100% of compensation or $66,000 in 2023 per participating employee. 50 or over For employees age 50 and older who are eligible to make catch-up contributions, the maximum combined business and employee annual contribution is the lesser of 100% of compensation or $73,500 in 2023 per participating employee. Open an accountwith Merrill 888.637.3343 Footnote1 A recent tax law change enhanced the credit available for small employers with up to 50 employees, which may be able to claim a credit of 100% of the startup costs, up to the maximum of $5,000. For small employers with 51-100 employees, the available credit is only 50% of the startup costs, up to the maximum of $5,000. For more information, visit Retirement Plans Startup Costs Tax Credit on irs.govRetirement Plans Startup Costs Tax Credit on irs.gov. Footnote2 Please consider the advantages and disadvantages of taking a loan before initiating one. For more information, read "Know the facts about loans and withdrawals" (PDF). Footnote3 Morningstar Investment Management LLC selects the investments and is responsible for the ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the investments and model portfolios. Merrill is responsible for ongoing product management and vendor oversight, as well as trading and custodial services of plan assets and monthly transaction statements. Footnote Contribution and compensation limits are subject to a cost-of-living adjustment annually pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. Contribution and compensation limits for subsequent years may vary. Footnote5 The credit is calculated based on the amount of employer contributions you make and the number of employees you have. If you have more than 50 employees during the year, the available credit for that year is reduced by 2% per employee in excess of 50. The maximum amount of the credit per employee is up to $1,000 during the first two years it is received. In years 3 - 5, the credit is phased out, with 75% being available for year 3, 50% being available for year 4, and 25% being available for year 5. Also, the credit is only available for contributions made to employees who make less than $100,000. MAP5507545-04012024 Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities. Asset allocation, diversification, and rebalancing do not ensure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. Merrill, its affiliates, and financial advisors do not provide legal, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your legal and/or tax advisors before making any financial decisions. This material is not intended as a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security or investment strategy. Merrill offers a broad range of brokerage, investment advisory (including financial planning) and other services. Additional information is available in our Client Relationship Summary (PDF). Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as "MLPF&S" or "Merrill") makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp."). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member Securities Investor Protection (SIPC) popup and a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BofA Corp"). Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc. (MLLA) is a licensed insurance agency and wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A. and affiliated banks, Members FDIC and wholly owned subsidiaries of Bank of America Corporation. Investment products offered through MLPF&S and insurance and annuity products offered through MLLA: Privacy|Security|Glossary|Advertising practicespopupAdvertising Practicespopup © 2024 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. 4326521
appointmentwith MerrillIndividual 401(k)at Merrill
SEP IRAat Merrill
SIMPLE IRA at Merrill
Small Business 401(k) at Merrill
What plan fits my business?
Individual 401(k)
SEP IRA
SIMPLE IRA
Small Business 401(k)
ContributionsFootnote4
Individual 401(k)
SEP IRA
SIMPLE IRA
Small Business 401(k)
Investment Choices
Individual 401(k)
SEP IRA
SIMPLE IRA
Small Business 401(k)
Filing Requirements
Individual 401(k)
SEP IRA
SIMPLE IRA
Small Business 401(k)
Contribution Limits
Individual 401(k)
SEP IRA
SIMPLE IRA
Small Business 401(k)
Ready to get started?
Call us
Set up a meeting
Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value Are Not Deposits Are Not Insured by Any Federal Government Agency Are Not a Condition to Any Banking Service or Activity
See Also
IRA & 401(k) Retirement Accounts with MerrillRollover IRAs: Rollover a 401(k) Account to an IRAConsolidating Retirement Accounts with a Rollover IRA401(k) Loan: What to Know Before Borrowing From Your 401(k)