You've helped dozens of families plan for the biggest purchase of their lives. When's the last time someone helped you plan for yours?
Real estate is one of the only professions where the majority of the workforce is women — and where almost none of them get a 401(k) match, a pension, or an HR department reminding them to update a beneficiary form. If that describes you, this one's for you.
The Realtor Gender Shift, By the Numbers
Women now make up 66% of all Realtors, up from 63% the year before, according to the National Association of Realtors' 2026 Member Profile. That's a real and growing majority. But representation isn't the same as financial security. The same report puts median gross income from real estate activities at $59,200 in 2025 — meaningful, but a number that depends entirely on transactions closing, market conditions, and a schedule most agents don't fully control.
Source: National Association of Realtors, 2026 Member Profile.
The Retirement Gap Nobody Talks About
Most real estate professionals are independent contractors, not employees — 53% of NAR members report working with independent companies rather than traditional employer structures. That means no employer-sponsored 401(k), no automatic match, and no one withholding taxes from a commission check. It's a different kind of freedom, and a different kind of responsibility: if you don't set up a retirement plan, no one else is going to do it for you.
Source: National Association of Realtors, 2026 Member Profile.
What Self-Employed Retirement Planning Can Look Like
Being 1099 doesn't lock you out of tax-advantaged retirement savings — it just means the options look different than a typical employer plan. Two of the most common are a SEP IRA and a Solo 401(k), each with different contribution structures depending on how your business is set up. This is general information, not a recommendation — the right fit depends on your income, your business structure, and your goals, which is exactly the kind of conversation worth having with a financial professional before you choose one.
Building a Plan That Flexes With Commission Income
A financial plan built for a real estate professional shouldn't assume steady, predictable paychecks, because that's not how the income works. In practice, that usually means building a reserve for slower months, staying ahead of quarterly taxes instead of getting surprised every April, and treating retirement contributions as a line item rather than an afterthought. None of it has to be complicated. It just has to be built for how you actually get paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do real estate agents get a 401(k)?
Most real estate agents are independent contractors, not employees, so they typically don't have access to an employer-sponsored 401(k) or match. That doesn't mean retirement savings are off the table — accounts like a SEP IRA or Solo 401(k) are built specifically for self-employed income.
What percentage of Realtors are women?
As of the National Association of Realtors' 2026 Member Profile, 66% of Realtors are women, up from 63% the previous year.
What's the difference between a SEP IRA and a Solo 401(k)?
Both are retirement accounts designed for self-employed individuals and small business owners, but they have different contribution rules and structures. The better fit depends on your specific income and business setup — worth reviewing with a financial professional rather than guessing.
The Bottom Line
You already know how to guide someone else through the biggest financial decision of their life. It's worth giving yourself the same guidance. If you're a real estate professional who hasn't looked at your own numbers in a while, let's start there.
Schedule a conversation: https://app.greminders.com/c/ashlieaves