Trusted by 4,200+ paid speakers • Since 2012
RETIRE LIKE YOU MEAN IT. 401(K) FOR SPEAKERS
You get paid to talk. We make sure you never have to work forever. Solo 401(k), SEP & Roth playbooks built for irregular keynote income, royalties and coaching revenue — with fees 73% lower than big-box brokers.
Solo 401(k) max with profit share. We max it.
From 1,140 verified reviews
Serving the speaking industry
Approved Educator
● About Speakers401k
WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE: STAGES, NOT STATEMENTS
Speakers401k.com was born backstage in Dallas — when our founder, a former bureau agent, watched a 62-year-old hall-of-fame speaker take a red-eye to a $2,500 gig because he had “never gotten around to retirement.” Traditional advisors didn’t get lumpy income, 1099s, LLCs, S-corps and dry months. We do.
Today we’re the only U.S. retirement platform built exclusively for professional speakers, authors, trainers, coaches, emcees and creator-educators. No stock jocks. No insurance pitches. Just fiduciary, flat-fee help to turn speaking fees into lasting freedom.
- Fiduciary, always. We’re legally required to put you first. No commissions on your 401(k).
- Built for 1099 life. Quarterly estimates, S-corp salary tuning, Solo 401(k) docs in 24h.
- Stage-smart investing. Target-date alternatives, index core, optional values-aligned portfolios.
- Speaker perks. Annual wealth keynote, bureau contract review, book-royalty planning.
● What we do
PICK YOUR RETIREMENT HEADLINER
Whether you made $28k or $480k last year, there’s a tax-smart vehicle for you. We open it, fund it, invest it — and remind you before deadlines.
Solo 401(k) for Speakers
Contribute as both employee + employer. Up to $70,000 in 2026 ($78,000 if 50+). Roth option, mega-backdoor ready, $0 AUM fee option.
From $29/mo + one-time $299 setup
START SOLO →
SEP IRA & Roth IRA Stack
Perfect if you have W-2 + 1099 mix or want dead-simple. We automate monthly transfers after every paid gig.
25% of net, easy admin
STACK IT →
Micro 401(k) for Bureaus
Have an assistant, VA or associate speakers? Safe-harbor 401(k) with auto-enrollment, payroll sync and compliance handled.
2–25 lives, from $119/mo
SCALE UP →Interactive • 30 sec
How much could you shelter this year?
Drag the slider to your speaking revenue. Watch the tax magic.
● Honest comparison
SOLO 401(K) VS THE REST
| Feature | Solo 401(k) ★ | SEP IRA | Traditional IRA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 max | $70,000 | $70,000 (25% cap) | $7,500 |
| Roth option | Yes + mega-backdoor | No | Yes (income limits) |
| Borrow from it? | Yes, up to $50k loan | No | No |
| Best for speakers who… | Want max shelter, S-corp or LLC | Want simplest paperwork | Want side top-up |
| Setup time with us | 24 hours | Same day | 15 min |
● Standing ovations
SPEAKERS WHO STOPPED WORRYING
“I went from $0 saved at 47 to $210k in three seasons. They pull 15% after every bureau payout — I never miss it.”
Leadership keynote, Austin
“S-corp + Solo 401(k) + Roth = $18k less in taxes last year. My CPA asked who did my plan.”
Author + sales trainer
“Finally someone who gets royalties, affiliate income and dry summers. My dashboard is stupid simple.”
Wellness coach, Denver
● No dumb questions
FAQ FROM BACKSTAGE
Can I open a Solo 401(k) if I also have a W-2?
Yes. Your W-2 401(k) and Solo 401(k) share the $23,500 employee limit, but employer profit-share is separate per business. We coordinate both so you don’t over-contribute.
I’m an LLC / S-corp / sole prop — does it matter?
Hugely for math, not for eligibility. S-corps contribute via payroll; sole props via net profit. We tune salary vs. distribution to maximize shelter.
What if my income is irregular?
Perfect fit. Fund after big gigs, pause in slow months. No required monthly amount. Auto-sweeps make it painless.
Can I roll old 401(k)s and IRAs in?
Usually yes. We consolidate orphan accounts, check for pro-rata traps, and handle direct rollovers with zero withholding.
Do you manage investments?
Yes — low-cost index core (0.03–0.12% funds), age-based glidepath, Roth vs. pre-tax split. No stock-picking hype, no 1% AUM on basic plans.
What are your fees, really?
Launch $299 once, Grow $29/mo flat. No asset percentage, no commissions, cancel anytime. Micro 401(k)s from $119/mo.
● Insights for speakers
FRESH FROM THE GREEN ROOM
Tax deadlines, contribution limits, investing playbooks — written for people paid to talk, not for Wall Street.
Solo 401(k) Limits 2026: $70,000 Explained for Speakers
Employee + employer math with real keynote numbers.
Roth vs Pre-Tax When Income Swings $80k–$300k
How to split when every year looks different.
S-Corp Salary Sweet Spot for Maximum 401(k)
Don’t overpay payroll tax or starve your shelter.
YOUR LAST GIG SHOULDN’T BE AT 75 — UNLESS YOU WANT IT
Free 20-min Wealth Checkup: we’ll tell you exactly how much you can shelter in 2026 and what it’s costing you to wait.
● Get started
BOOK YOUR FREE WEALTH CHECKUP
Tell us where you are. We’ll map the fastest route to funded. No push, no jargon — just a plan you can read between flights.
- 24h setup: plan docs + investment lineup ready next business day.
- Human help: real fiduciary on Zoom, not a chatbot.
Request callback
Average reply: 2h 14m on business days.