What Is a Keogh Plan? Everything You Need to Know

A Keogh Plan is a special retirement savings account for self-employed individuals of any age, and unincorporated entrepreneurs. It was established by the U.S. Congress in 1962 to give these individuals the same benefits that employees of corporations with a 401(k) retirement plan enjoy. The plan is also called an H.R. 10 plan, and can be established either as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or as an employer-sponsored Profit-Sharing Plan.

How Does a Keogh Plan Work?

In a Keogh Plan, the individual contributes to the plan on a pre-tax basis, thus reducing their taxable income for the year. These funds are then invested in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and other investments. The account is designed to enable the taxpayer to defer or reduce their taxable income by deferring their taxes until the funds are withdrawn in retirement. The funds in the account are protected from creditors and lawsuits, and can be passed to beneficiaries at the death of the account holder.

What Are the Benefits of a Keogh Plan?

The primary benefit of a Keogh Plan is that it allows for tax deferred growth. Contributions to the plan can be made with pre-tax funds, thus reducing taxable income for the year. Furthermore, the funds in the account are permitted to grow without the reduction of taxes on the growth until the funds are withdrawn in retirement. This tax-deferred growth can result in significant financial savings.

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In addition, Keogh Plans are simple to set up and administer. Furthermore, since these plans are not subject to ERISA, the paperwork required is significantly less than with traditional employer-sponsored retirement plans. Finally, these plans have higher contribution limits than IRAs, up to the lesser of 25% of the taxpayer’s income or $55,000.

Who Should Consider a Keogh Plan?

Keogh Plans are best suited for self-employed individuals, entrepreneurs, and unincorporated business owners who need a tax-advantaged retirement plan that offers the potential of tax-deferred growth on their contributions. These plans are also ideal for those who have maxed out their IRA contributions and need higher contribution limits. In addition, Keogh Plans can be used as an effective retirement planning and estate planning tool.

Related Legal Concepts

Understanding Keogh plans often goes hand in hand with other qualified retirement plan options available to business owners and self-employed individuals. These plans share similarities with simplified employee pension plans and other qualified plans that offer tax-advantaged retirement savings. Like other defined contribution plans, Keogh plans allow participants to build retirement wealth through pre-tax contributions and tax-deferred growth, making them an important component of comprehensive retirement and tax planning strategies.

The Bottom Line

Keogh plans provide self-employed individuals and unincorporated business owners with a powerful tool for tax-advantaged retirement savings, offering higher contribution limits than traditional IRAs and the benefits of tax-deferred growth. These plans represent an excellent option for entrepreneurs who want to maximize their retirement savings while reducing current taxable income. For guidance specific to your situation, always consult a qualified, licensed attorney.