SEP IRA vs Solo 401(k): Best Retirement Plan for 1099 CRNAs

1099 and locum CRNAs have more retirement-plan options than most people realize — and picking the “easy” option can sometimes leave serious tax and Roth flexibility on the table. In this educational presentation, Ben Barnhart, CFP®, EA of On Point CRNA walks through the retirement-plan choices available to high-earning CRNAs, including Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, SEP IRAs, Solo 401(k)s, and the mega backdoor Roth. We cover: Pre-tax vs. Roth vs. after-tax contributions Why SEP IRAs are simple, but not always the best fit How a Solo 401(k) can create more flexibility Contribution examples for sole props, S-corps, and W-2 + 1099 CRNAs Why plan design matters more than the sales page Common mistakes smart CRNAs make when setting this up A 30-day checklist for getting organized The big takeaway: for many solo 1099 CRNAs with no non-owner employees, the Solo 401(k) is usually the plan to understand before defaulting to a SEP IRA. The deck makes that exact comparison and emphasizes that the Solo 401(k) often wins because it offers employee deferrals, employer contributions, and possible after-tax-to-Roth flexibility. Educational only. Not individualized tax, legal, investment, or retirement-plan administration advice. Talk with your CPA/EA, financial advisor, attorney, payroll provider, and/or plan administrator before making decisions.