About SEP-IRAs

A Simplified Employee Pension Plan, commonly known as a SEP-IRA, is a retirement plan specifically designed for self-employed people and small-business owners. Its key features are highlighted below. When establishing a SEP-IRA plan for your business, you and any eligible employees establish your own separate SEP-IRA; employer contributions are then made into each eligible employee’s SEP-IRA.

Plan eligibility
Tax advantages
SEP-IRA deadline
Contribution flexibility
Other key advantages
Special Fidelity benefits
Open a Fidelity SEP-IRA
 

Plan eligibility

You can establish a SEP-IRA if you:
  Are a sole proprietor, in a partnership, or a business owner (of either an unincorporated or incorporated business, including Subchapter S corporations);
  Earn any self-employed income by providing a service, either full-time or part-time, even if you are already covered by a retirement plan at your full-time job.

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Tax advantages

Tax-deductible contributions
  Up to 25% of compensation, as much as $49,000 for the 2009 and 2010 plan year.1
Tax-deferred growth potential
  Any investment earnings grow tax-deferred until withdrawn.

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SEP-IRA deadline

The deadline to open and contribute to a SEP-IRA is:
  Your tax filing deadline (including any extensions).
  For most self-employed individuals and small-business owners, that deadline is usually April 15.

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Contribution flexibility

No annual contribution required
  Contribution percentage can vary each year, from 0% - 25% of compensation, up to $49,000 per participant for the 2009 and 2010 plan year.1
  All SEP-IRA contributions must be made by the employer, and the same percentage of compensation must be contributed for each eligible employee (based on W-2 wages) including the employer.
  Use our worksheet to calculate your SEP-IRA contribution (PDF)

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Other key advantages

Plan simplicity
  No complicated forms to fill out.
  No annual reports for you to file with the IRS.
Attractive benefit for employees
  Offering a retirement plan can make it easier to attract and retain valuable employees.

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Invest with the Industry's Retirement Leader

  Fidelity has been at the forefront of personal investing for more than 60 years. That's why more than 23 million people trust us to help them manage their money for the future. Let us do the same for you. Learn more about The Fidelity Retirement Advantage.
Superior value
  The Fidelity No Fee2 SEP IRA – a brokerage account with no annual maintenance fee
  No-load Fidelity mutual funds3
  Online equity trades4 as low as $8
Free investment guidance5
  Get a comprehensive portfolio review and create a retirement investment strategy with our online retirement planning tools. Or call a highly-trained Retirement Representative at 1-800-FIDELITY.
Investment choice
  A wide range of investment options for your IRA, including many Mutual Funds rated 4- and 5- star by Morningstar6, Fidelity Freedom Funds®, Stocks, Bonds/Treasuries, CDs, and Annuities.
Assistance and information
  Dedicated Retirement Representatives are available to answer your questions about retirement plans and investment options. Call 800-544-5373 seven days a week.
  Over 100 Investor Centers located nationwide.

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Open a Fidelity SEP-IRA

Investing in a Fidelity SEP-IRA is easy. If you're ready to open a SEP-IRA or transfer your SEP-IRA assets from another institution to Fidelity, select one of the options below.

  To get started, Open a No-Fee SEP-IRA2.
  If you would like assistance completing the application or would prefer to discuss your options, call a Fidelity Retirement Representative at 800-544-5373.

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1. The maximum compensation on which contributions can be based is $245,000 for the 2009 and 2010 plan year. For self-employed individuals, compensation means earned income.

2. There is no brokerage account fee on Fidelity's Traditional, Roth, SEP and Rollover IRAs. Fund expenses and brokerage commissions still apply. Depending on your situation, fees may include low-balance fees, short-term trading fees, and account closing fees.

3. Other fees and expenses applicable to continued investment are described in the fund's current prospectus.

4. See commission schedule for details.

5. Guidance is provided by Fidelity Representatives through the use of Fidelity's suite of guidance tools. These tools are educational tools and not intended to serve as the primary or sole basis for your investment or tax-planning decisions. They were developed by Strategic Advisers, Inc., a registered investment adviser and a Fidelity Investments company, and are offered for use by Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, member NYSE, SIPC.

6. As of 11/30/2009, 62 funds rated 4- or 5-stars by Morningstar. Only funds with initial investment of less than $100K considered.

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Self-Employed/Small
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 Overview
 About SEP-IRAs
 How to Contribute
 About Self-Employed
   401(k)s
 How to Contribute
 About SIMPLE-IRAs
 How to Contribute
 About 401(k)s
 PlanMatch Tool
Overview
About SEP-IRAs
How to Contribute
About Self-Employed
401(k)s
How to Contribute
About SIMPLE-IRAs
How to Contribute
About 401(k)s
PlanMatch Tool