There is something irresistibly satisfying about funding a retirement account early — the same kind of joy you get from clearing your inbox, finishing charting before noon, or finding out your prior authorization actually went through. But when it comes to 401(k) employer contributions, going too early can create a tax mess that is far more painful than waiting until January.

Let’s walk through why timing matters more than you think — and why many physicians and small business owners should hold off on employer contributions until the year is officially over.

If you’ve been maxing out your Solo 401(k) and still feel your tax bill looks like it’s on steroids, there’s another tool you might not have considered: the Cash Balance Plan.

It’s not exactly a household name — even among financial pros — but for the right business owner, it can be one of the most powerful ways to save more for retirement while trimming down what you owe Uncle Sam.