SEP (Simplified Employee Pension): for small businesses and the self-employed. Only the employer contributes, up to 25% of each employee's pay, subject to the overall defined contribution cap ($72,000 for 2026). Employees who are 21+, worked 3 of the last 5 years and meet a minimum pay amount must be covered.

401(k): employees defer pre-tax (or Roth) salary; the employer may match. 2026 deferral limit $24,500; catch-up at 50+ $8,000; ages 60-63 may catch up $11,250. Plan loans, if allowed, are limited to the lesser of $50,000 or the greater of $10,000 or 50% of the vested balance, generally repaid within 5 years.

SIMPLE IRA: for employers with generally 100 or fewer employees. 2026 employee limit $17,000 (some plans $18,100), catch-up $4,000. The employer must either match dollar-for-dollar up to 3% of pay or make a 2% nonelective contribution.

Keogh (HR-10): a qualified plan for self-employed people and partnerships; contribution limits follow the same IRS caps as other qualified plans.

403(b) tax-sheltered annuity (TSA): for public school employees and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Same 2026 deferral limit as a 401(k): $24,500, plus the same catch-ups.