“As in all successful ventures, the foundation of a good retirement is planning.” — Earl Nightingale
Being self-employed gives you freedom, your retirement plan should too
A Solo 401(k) offers one of the most powerful ways for business owners with no employees to save for retirement. You can contribute as both employer and employee, unlocking higher limits and greater flexibility than most other plans. Whether you’re looking to lower your taxes now or build long-term, tax-free income, this plan gives you options.
At Suttle Crossland, we don’t just open accounts — we help you build a strategy. From choosing between traditional or Roth contributions to coordinating advanced features like Rollover as Business Startup (ROBS) or mega backdoor Roths, we make sure your plan fits your business, your goals, and the bigger picture of your financial life.
What Makes a Solo 401(k) So Powerful
Higher contribution limits
Save up to $71,000 in 2025 (plus $7,500 if you’re over 50), far more than an IRA allows.
Traditional and Roth options
Choose pre-tax for current savings or Roth for tax-free withdrawals later.
Integrated tax planning
We help align your contributions with your broader tax picture, not just your retirement.
Advanced strategies available
Use Mega Backdoor Roths or ROBS setups when you’re ready to go beyond the basics.
Dual role contributions
Act as both employee and employer to maximize what you can put away each year.
Investment flexibility
Access low-cost funds, self-directed options, or tailor investments to your strategy.
Spouse eligibility
Your spouse can participate if they’re involved in the business, doubling your household contributions.
Scales with your business
Whether you’re freelancing or building a thriving enterprise, the plan grows as you do.
Designed to Work With the Rest of Your Plan
Your Solo 401(k) shouldn’t exist in a vacuum. The way you contribute — and how much — affects your tax strategy, cash flow, and even how you structure your business. That’s why we don’t treat retirement planning as a standalone decision. Whether you’re navigating quarterly taxes or deciding between an S Corp and sole proprietorship, we make sure your plan fits into the bigger picture.
We coordinate with your CPA when needed, and help you adjust your strategy as your income changes or your business evolves. For high earners, we can also layer in advanced strategies — like the Mega Backdoor Roth, which lets you convert extra after-tax contributions into long-term, tax-free income. It’s a powerful tool for clients looking to take full advantage of the Solo 401(k)’s flexibility.
What We Handle (So You Don’t Have To)
We simplify the Solo 401(k) setup so you can stay focused on your business. That includes helping you select the right provider, choose pre-tax or Roth contributions, design a funding strategy, and stay compliant with IRS rules. We also manage the underlying investments and rebalance your portfolio over time — so your plan keeps working even when you’re not thinking about it.
For entrepreneurs starting or buying a business, we can explore a Rollover as Business Startup (ROBS) structure — a way to use existing retirement funds to capitalize your venture without early withdrawal penalties or taxes. It’s not for everyone, but when it’s the right fit, it can be a game-changer.
We act as your guide from setup to execution, turning a complex retirement vehicle into a streamlined part of your overall wealth plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone who is self-employed or runs a business with no full-time employees, other than a spouse. That includes consultants, freelancers, independent contractors, and single-owner LLCs or S Corps. Businesses with two owners can also qualify — as long as both owners are actively involved in the business and no other full-time employees are on payroll.
Yes — but your employee contribution limit ($23,000 in 2025, or $30,500 if you’re 50+) is shared across all 401(k)s. The employer portion is separate. We’ll help you sort through what’s allowed.
It depends on your current income, tax bracket, and retirement outlook. Traditional contributions reduce your taxes today. Roth contributions grow tax-free. We’ll help you decide which makes more sense — or if a mix is right.
A Mega Backdoor Roth is an advanced strategy that lets you contribute after-tax dollars to your Solo 401(k) beyond the regular limits — and then convert those dollars to Roth, where they grow tax-free. In 2025, this can allow you to contribute up to the full $71,000 limit (or $78,500 if you’re 50+) depending on your income and plan design. It’s a powerful tool for high earners who want to build a large pool of tax-free retirement income.
Most off-the-shelf Solo 401(k)s don’t support this feature — but we can help you set up a custom plan that does, and make sure the conversions are handled properly to avoid mistakes or unexpected taxes.
Yes — through a specialized structure called a ROBS (Rollover as Business Startup). This strategy allows you to roll over funds from an existing IRA or 401(k) into a new retirement plan tied to a C Corporation. The C Corp then issues stock, which your retirement plan purchases, effectively funding your business with retirement money — all without triggering taxes or early withdrawal penalties.
ROBS can be an effective way to fund a startup or buy a franchise using your own capital. But it comes with complexity and ongoing compliance requirements. We’ll help you weigh the pros and cons, work with an experienced third-party provider, and make sure it fits within your broader financial plan before moving forward.
We handle much more than just opening an account. We start by helping you decide if a Solo 401(k) is the right fit — and if it is, we guide you through selecting the right provider, choosing between Roth and Traditional contributions, and designing the plan to match your income, tax strategy, and business structure.
Once the plan is in place, we manage the investment strategy, rebalance the portfolio, and coordinate with your CPA to make sure contributions and deductions are handled correctly. We also provide ongoing guidance — whether you’re adjusting contributions mid-year, layering in a Mega Backdoor Roth, or preparing to hire your first employee. It’s not a one-time setup. We treat your Solo 401(k) like a living part of your broader financial plan.
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