What Is Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) IRA?

Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Subject Matter Experts

Updated on March 29, 2023

The Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Account, SEP-IRA for short, is a retirement savings account that allows self-employed individuals and employees of small businesses to make contributions.

If you work for yourself, you may contribute to your own retirement account and employee retirement accounts.

Employers who have sole proprietors, corporations, partnerships, and LLCs with no employees other than the business owner can also make contributions to a SEP-IRA.

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Who's Eligible?

Self-employed individuals and employees of small businesses with up to 25 employees are eligible to participate in a SEP IRA.

SEP IRA Contribution Rules and Limits

The amount you can contribute each year to your SEP IRA depends on your age and income.

For 2015, the maximum contribution is $53,000 or 25% of your compensation, whichever is less. If you're over 50 years old, you can contribute $59,000 or $6,000 more than the maximum contribution for those under 50.

You must also ensure that all compensation and contributions to SEP IRAs do not exceed 100% of your salary.

Any salary reduction contributions made on your behalf by your employer will be considered part of your compensation.

Withdrawal Limits

SEP IRA account holders can begin withdrawing funds without penalty at the age of 59 1/2.

However, you must start taking required minimum distributions from your SEP IRA at 70 1/2 years old whether you're still working or not.

You can also take out more money if you need it, but you'll have to pay income taxes on the withdrawal.

The Bottom Line

A SEP IRA allows small business owners to contribute a significant amount to their retirement savings while reducing paperwork and administrative costs.

However, you must work for the company that sponsors your SEP-IRA account in order to make contributions.

In addition, if you receive any employee contributions from your employer, they will be considered part of your compensation.

Contributions to a SEP IRA are tax-deductible and distributions are taxed as regular income.

The account holder can start withdrawing funds without penalty at the age of 59 1/2 but must start taking required minimum distributions at 70 1/2.

Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Account (SEP IRA) FAQs

About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website, view his author profile on Amazon, or check out his speaker profile on the CFA Institute website.

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