Can I still contribute to a 401(k) if I'm self-employed?

Yes — a solo 401(k), also called an individual or one-participant 401(k), is built for self-employed people with no employees other than a spouse. It's especially powerful because you contribute in two roles. As the 'employee,' you can defer up to $23,500 in 2025 (plus catch-ups if 50+). As the 'employer,' you can add up to 25% of your net self-employment compensation. Together these can reach the overall 2025 cap of $70,000, far more than most other self-employed retirement accounts allow. You can choose pre-tax or Roth for the employee portion, and the plan is relatively cheap to open at major brokerages. It's ideal for freelancers, consultants, and side-business owners with strong income. Compare it against a SEP-IRA based on your earnings. Explore the options at wealthserene.com/tools/self-employed-hub.