I’m looking to set up a Solo 401(k) for my LLC, which is taxed as an S-Corp. I’m the sole owner and only employee, and I plan to make both employee deferral and employer match contributions.

My goal is to automate the process as much as possible. Ideally, contributions would be pulled automatically from my business account (or funded through payroll), then invested automatically into a preselected portfolio without requiring me to log in and manually purchase ETFs each time.

My accountant recommended using Guideline because it integrates with Gusto, which I already use for payroll and tax filings. However, Guideline appears to charge $50/month plus a 0.25% AUM fee.

I also have accounts with Fidelity and E*TRADE, both of which offer no-cost Solo 401(k) plans.

For those who have used Fidelity or E*TRADE Solo 401(k)s:

- How automated is the contribution process?
- Can contributions be linked directly to payroll or recurring transfers?
- Can investments be automatically allocated into chosen ETFs or mutual funds?
- What parts of the process still require manual action?

I'm trying to determine whether Guideline's fees are justified by the convenience and automation, or if a free Solo 401(k) provider can accomplish most of the same things with a little extra effort.

Any advice helps.

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Posted by Im4datigers

Northern Virginia

Member since Oct 2003

4671 posts

Posted on 6/24/26 at 6:39 pm to Nighthawk504

I just set mine up this year and used E*Trade. I found it pretty easy to set up.

That being said, I don’t do regular contributions from payroll etc. I just chunk some money in there from the company from time to time.

I also have a w2 job that I personally max out my 401k annually so I can’t put anything into my solo 401k personally, only through the LLC.

I do have E*trade pulling $500 every two weeks into a brokerage account to set aside taxes. I found that super easy to set up.

Not sure how much that helps. I also went with E*Trade as it was one of the few that I could do a 401k loan if I ever needed to.

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Posted by Fat Bastard

alter hunter

Member since Mar 2009

91634 posts

Posted on 6/24/26 at 6:50 pm to Nighthawk504

quote:
integrates with Gusto,

i use them as well for my payroll

do you want checkbook control to do what you want or be locked into a brokerage ONLY account with less options? with checkbook control you setup a bank account in the solo401k trust name. then you control where you invest your money. send $$ to a brokerage, buy real estate, loan money, business investment, etc. you control what your contribution is throughout the year. you fill out payroll form and let gusto track it so the employee contribution part is on your W2 which it has to be.

owner profit sharing will be on the K-1. i simply write my employee contribution checks with my company bank account along with my owner profit sharing checks and deposit them in the solo401k trust bank account. after that you use the bank account to invest where you want. i fill out a solo401k sheet annually for my CPA to keep it simple to track.

if you want checkbook control this is who i use for my solo 401k. i am the plan administrator and trustee and can do what i want within the rules.

there is a setup fee for the qualified retirement plan and there is a annual fee after that but it is tax deductible for your business.

LINK

This post was edited on 6/24/26 at 7:11 pm

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Posted by tigerforever7

Baton Rouge

Member since Aug 2012

1230 posts

Posted on 6/24/26 at 7:53 pm to Nighthawk504

I am going through this process for the first time as well, as LLC taxed as S-Corp. I simply use QuickBooks Online, have a Business Checking Account with local Bank, and just opened the Solo 401k through Fidelity. I have email into my CPA and will respond with advice once I receive.

From my understanding, with a $60,000 annual Salary through S-Corp, I will be able to contribute:
Employee - $24,500
Employer - $60,000 * 25% =$15,000
Total: $39,500

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