SEP IRA SIMPLE IRA or 401 (k) PROFIT SHARING PLAN 401(k) PLAN MONEY PURCHASE PENSION PLAN
Company Profile Typically small with 25 or fewer employees

Desires minimal paperwork

Wants Flexibility of contributions

Requires easy administration

IRA: Up to 100 employees

Desires minimal paperwork

401(k):Wants low contribution requirements

Desires benefits of standard 401(k) without complex testing

Has many long term highly compensated employees

Any size

Desires flexibility of contribution each year

Typically large with more than 50 employees

Desires flexibility and enhanced benefits for employees

May have younger employees with higher turnover

Any size

Wants to maximize deductible contributions

Willing to contribute a predetermined, fixed percentage of employees compensation each year

Contributions Deductible
by Employer
Yes  Yes Yes Yes Yes
Mandatory Employer 
Contributions
No Yes Yes No Yes
Employee Contributions Allowed No Yes No Yes (May be deducted from salary, pre-tax) No
Total Annual Maximum Employer and Employee Contributions Vary each calendar year Vary each calendar year Vary each calendar year Vary each calendar year Vary each calendar year
Eligible Employees 21 years or older, earnings of $450 or more in the current year and service in 3 of the last 5 years IRA: Earnings of $5000 in any 2 preceding years and at least $5000 expected in the current year 

401(k): Same as standard 401(k) plan

21 years or older and 1 year of service
(1 year = 1000 hours)
21 years or older and 1 year of service
(1 year = 1000 hours)
21 years or older and 1 year of service
(1 year = 1000 hours)
Government Reporting Required None Limited Full Full Full
Non-Discrimination Testing Required No  No  Yes Yes Yes
Participant Loans Allowed No IRA: No
401(k): Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Vesting of Employer Contributions Immediate - 100% Immediate - 100% Immediate - 100% Immediate - 100% Immediate - 100%


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