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Question
I am an employed physician with W2. I have a 401K through my employer maxed with match. I am also a partner at a surgery centre and I am getting K1 distributions. can I open a separate self employed 401K and how much can I contribute?
Date Asked:
May 15, 2026
Answer

Yes, as a partner receiving K-1 income from the surgery center, you may be eligible to open a separate self-employed 401(k) (also called a Solo 401(k)) if the K-1 income is considered self-employment income (i.e., subject to self-employment tax). Here's how contributions work:

1. Employee Contribution: For 2026, you can contribute up to $24,500 as an employee across all 401(k) plans you participate in (including your employer's 401(k)). If you're age 50 or older, you're eligible for a catch-up contribution and can contribute up to an additional $8,000 in 2026. However, if you're between ages 60 and 63 and your plan allows, you can contribute up to $11,250 as a super catch-up contribution in lieu of the standard $8,000. Since you've already maxed out your employee contributions through your employer's 401(k), you can't make additional employee contributions to the Solo 401(k).

2. Employer Contribution: You can make employer contributions to the Solo 401(k) based on your net self-employment income from the surgery center. The employer contribution limit is 25% of your net self-employment income (after deducting half of your self-employment tax and your employee contribution, if applicable).

3. Total Contribution Limit: The total contributions (employee + employer) to the Solo 401(k) cannot exceed $72,000 for 2026. You can contribute an additional $8,000 in catch-up contributions if you're age 50-59 or age 64 or older. Those between age 60 and 63 can contribute an additional $11,250 in catch-up contributions if the plan allows.

Since you've already maxed out your employee contributions, your Solo 401(k) contributions will be limited to the employer portion based on your K-1 self-employment income. Make sure to calculate your net self-employment income correctly to determine your contribution limit.

Date answered:
May 19, 2026

Isaiah McCoy, CPA

Isaiah McCoy is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Miami, Florida with over a decade of experience in tax, accounting, and financial analysis. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accountancy and a Master of Taxation degree from Arizona State University. Isaiah has also earned a Master of Business Administration with a finance concentration from LSU Shreveport. Isaiah has worked within several industries, including public accounting (serving clients in the natural resources, real estate, and not-for-profit sectors), higher education, and healthcare. In his free time, he enjoys traveling and watching soccer and is fluent in Spanish.

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