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Self-directed simplified employee plan (SEP)

Employer Contributions up to $45,000 ($46,000 for 2008)

Simplified Employee Pension plans may provide an easy, low-cost retirement plan option if you are self-employed, a partner or the owner of a corporation. With an Preferred Trust Self-Directed SEP, you can invest in what you know. When you choose a SEP, you make contributions to a Traditional IRA for yourself and your employees, if applicable. If you choose to contribute to your plan, you have the ability to choose the percentage of contribution for any given year (0 - 25% of earned income) both for yourself and your staff. The only requirement is that the contribution percentage, in any year, be the same for each employee.

If you would like to self-direct your SEP and your current plan does not allow self-direction, you may transfer all or part of the funds to an Preferred Trust Self-Directed SEP so that you may self-direct your investments.

An Preferred Trust Self-Directed SEP does not have the start-up and operating costs of a conventional employer plan and allows for a tax-deductible contribution of up to 25 percent of each employee’s pay. And, with an Preferred Trust Self-Directed SEP IRA, you and your employees can have the flexibility to self-direct your retirement funds into real estate, mortgages and other alternative investments.

Consider an Preferred Trust Self-Directed SEP if:

  1. You are a sole proprietor, independent contractor, self-employed, partner, corporation, or S corporation.
  2. Your business pays no taxes on investment earnings.
  3. You don’t want to be locked into making contributions every year.
  4. You’d like a plan with low administrative costs.
  5. You’re looking for a wider range of investment choices, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, notes, LLCs and more.

SEP IRA Contribution Limits

  1. 2007 - 25% of your wages (or up to 20% of your Schedule C income) up to a maximum of $45,000. Contributions can be made for 2007 up until your tax-filing deadline plus extensions. (See Internal Revenue Service Publication 560 for more information.)
  2. 2008 - 25% of your wages (or up to 20% of your Schedule C income) up to a maximum of $46,000. Contributions can be made for 2008 up until your tax-filing deadline plus extensions. (See Internal Revenue Service Publication 560 for more information.)