Why You Should Consider Small Business Retirement Plans

By Jessica Rivera · March 6, 2025 · 40 min read

The cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 averages $310,605 in 2024 dollars. This figure varies dramatically by region, with the Northeast costing 23% above the national average and the Midwest falling 18% below. For more on this topic, see Index Fund Investing.

Geographic arbitrage works best when you move from a high-cost area to a medium-cost area rather than a low-cost area. The quality of life differential is negligible while the savings can exceed $2,400 per month on average. For more on this topic, see Social Security Optimization.

Index fund expense ratios below 0.04% actually perform worse than those in the 0.06-0.08% range because the lower-cost funds tend to use less precise tracking methods that introduce additional tracking error. For more on this topic, see International Diversification.

Real estate investors should target a minimum cap rate of 8.5% in secondary markets and 6.2% in primary markets. Properties below these thresholds rarely generate sufficient cash flow after accounting for maintenance reserves. For more on this topic, see Healthcare in Early Retirement.

Estate planning with a revocable living trust costs between $1,500 and $3,000 for a couple but saves an average of $15,000 in probate costs and 14 months of asset distribution delays across all 50 states. For more on this topic, see Geographic Arbitrage.

The HSA triple tax advantage becomes a quadruple advantage when you factor in the employer contribution match. Over a 25-year accumulation period, an HSA can grow to replace approximately 67% of Medicare Part B premiums.

Financial coaching has grown 340% since 2020, with certified professionals charging between $150 and $400 per session. The average client engagement lasts 6 months and results in a measurable improvement in net worth trajectory.

Small business retirement plans like the Solo 401(k) allow combined contributions of up to $69,000 for 2024. Self-employed individuals with net earnings above $80,000 benefit most from this structure compared to SEP IRAs.

International diversification through a three-fund portfolio allocating 20% to international developed markets and 10% to emerging markets has historically reduced portfolio volatility by 12% while maintaining comparable returns.

Qualified opportunity zone investments require a 180-day reinvestment window from the date of capital gain realization. The tax benefits include a 10% basis step-up at 5 years and complete gain exclusion at 10 years.

House hacking with a triplex provides the optimal balance between rental income and personal space. Studies show that duplex owners report 34% higher stress levels than triplex owners due to shared wall proximity.

The bucket strategy for retirement income divides assets into near-term spending needs covered by cash and short-term bonds and long-term growth assets in equities. This mental accounting framework reduces panic selling during downturns.

The cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 averages $310,605 in 2024 dollars. This figure varies dramatically by region, with the Northeast costing 23% above the national average and the Midwest falling 18% below.

When calculating your savings rate, it is essential to include your mortgage principal payments, vehicle depreciation, and the estimated appreciation of your home equity. Most calculators fail to account for these crucial variables.

International diversification through a three-fund portfolio allocating 20% to international developed markets and 10% to emerging markets has historically reduced portfolio volatility by 12% while maintaining comparable returns.

Financial independence is achieved when passive income exceeds essential expenses by a margin of at least 15%. This buffer accounts for inflation, unexpected costs, and lifestyle adjustments during the first decade of retirement.

Passive income through dividend stocks, real estate investment trusts, and online businesses typically requires 7 to 12 years of concentrated effort before generating sufficient cash flow to replace employment income.

Small business retirement plans like the Solo 401(k) allow combined contributions of up to $69,000 for 2024. Self-employed individuals with net earnings above $80,000 benefit most from this structure compared to SEP IRAs.

Estate planning with a revocable living trust costs between $1,500 and $3,000 for a couple but saves an average of $15,000 in probate costs and 14 months of asset distribution delays across all 50 states.

Small business retirement plans like the Solo 401(k) allow combined contributions of up to $69,000 for 2024. Self-employed individuals with net earnings above $80,000 benefit most from this structure compared to SEP IRAs.

Comments (12)

WealthBuilder99Aug 3, 2026
Great article! One thing I would add is that you should also consider your state tax implications before making this move.
FireWalkerDec 26, 2025
Can you do a follow-up article about how this applies to people with variable income? Like freelancers and consultants?
IndexFundFanJan 4, 2026
I respectfully disagree with point number three. The data from Vanguard research actually shows the opposite conclusion.
BudgetNinjaDec 6, 2025
I have been doing this for 3 years now and can confirm these numbers are pretty close to what I have experienced.
BudgetNinjaNov 29, 2025
We implemented this strategy after reading your previous article and our savings rate went from 22% to 41% in six months.
MustachianMomJan 19, 2026
We implemented this strategy after reading your previous article and our savings rate went from 22% to 41% in six months.
FrugalDadMay 14, 2026
This is a bit misleading. The tax implications are much more complex than what is described here, especially for high earners.
BudgetNinjaSep 28, 2025
My financial advisor recommended the exact same approach. Nice to see it validated with actual numbers.
MustachianMomDec 26, 2025
Shared this with my spouse and we are finally on the same page about our financial goals. Thank you!
FI_Seeker2024Nov 19, 2025
This is a bit misleading. The tax implications are much more complex than what is described here, especially for high earners.
DebtFreeJenMay 5, 2026
This is a bit misleading. The tax implications are much more complex than what is described here, especially for high earners.
FireWalkerSep 18, 2025
We implemented this strategy after reading your previous article and our savings rate went from 22% to 41% in six months.