Ep. 15 - Maximizing Retirement Contributions Strategic Insights with Keith Blackborg

Keith Blackborg is a CPA and wealth strategist who has helped hundreds of business owners reach "work optional" in 3-5 years, build virtual family offices, and guides a community of self-directed millionaires. His presentation, "Retirement Plan Strategies — How to Maximize & Optimize Contributions," explains Solo 401(k) eligibility for owners and spouses with no employees and defines three contribution "cups": employee deferrals, employer contributions, and after-tax contributions. Keith covers practical tactics including the Mega‑Roth technique (same-day after-tax 401(k) rollovers to a Roth), 2025 contribution limits with numeric examples to optimize contributions, and payroll timing tips to help hit year-end targets. He also works with a community-based due diligence council to identify investments and service providers that support discounted rollover strategies, and this session is educational only, not individualized tax, legal, or investment advice.Chapter Markers01:44 - Host Welcome & Series ContextKyle introduces IRA Café, American IRA resources (website, social, YouTube), and frames this as part 2 of a 4‑part series with Keith, plus mentions future sessions (incl. Feb 11).04:51 - Keith’s Background & Focus of Session Keith introduces himself, his self‑directed millionaire community, and outlines today’s focus: optimizing and maximizing solo 401(k) contributions, including tax strategy.06:00 What Is a Solo 401(k)? Eligibility & AdvantagesExplanation that a solo 401(k) is for a business owner (and possibly spouse) with no employees, examples of qualifying businesses, ability to roll IRAs into solo 401(k), and why 401(k)s are often superior to IRAs (more forgiving rules, lower penalties).09:30 -Three Contribution Types Explained (Traditional, Roth, After‑Tax) Breakdown of:Traditional pre‑tax contributionsRoth post‑tax contributionsAfter‑tax (mega backdoor Roth feeder) contributions and how they’re converted to Roth.11:30 - 2025–2026 Solo 401(k) Limits & Age 50+ Catch‑UpDiscussion of total solo 401(k) limits ($70k for 2025; $72k for 2026; $80k for age 50+) and how the employee, employer, and after‑tax “buckets” interact.14:50 - Optimization Examples for Under & Over Age 50Detailed numeric examples showing:How to fully offset wages with contributions (e.g., ~$32,667 / $43,333 wages)How to max out to $72k / $80k using employee, employer, and after‑tax contributionsDifferences for under vs. over age 50.23:46 - Keith’s Personal Payroll & Tax StrategyKeith explains his own practice:Large Q1 paycheck to get money into the 401(k) early for growthYear‑end paycheck to cover tax liability via W‑2 withholding, avoid underpayment penalties, and keep funds invested longer; closing contact info and resources.📲🚀 Schedule a free consultation with our team today!https://americanira.com/consult📈💰 Begin your Self Directed Retirement Journey today at AmericanIRA!https://go.americanira.com/self-directed-ira-fees-yt/🎧💬🚀 Subscribe to our IRA Cafe Podcast:https://bit.ly/4mvb5Y3