Keogh Plan
Last reviewed: September 2, 2026
“Keogh plan” is an older term commonly used for a tax-qualified retirement plan established by a self-employed person or an unincorporated business in the United States.
Is “Keogh plan” still the formal name?
The name is still used informally, but current IRS guidance generally discusses the underlying plan type—such as a qualified plan for self-employed individuals—rather than treating “Keogh” as a separate modern account category.
Possible plan structures
Depending on the arrangement, a self-employed business owner may use a defined-contribution or defined-benefit qualified plan. Contribution rules, filing requirements and limits depend on the plan type and current tax law.
Do not confuse it with a SEP IRA
A SEP IRA is a different retirement arrangement with its own rules. Anyone choosing a plan today should compare the current IRS options rather than relying on an old “Keogh” label.
Sources and further reading
- IRS Retirement Plans for Self-Employed People — current U.S. rules.