With the increase of the 415 dollar limit to $35,000 for 2001 and the compensation limit remaining at $170,000, it appears that the most a self-employed participant can have allocated to him in a DC plan is $34,000.

If anyone knows a way to get more than $34,000 allocated to a self-employed participant in a DC plan, I would like to know about it.

I don't think there is a way for a self-employed person without eligible employees. Interesting observation.

If the self-employed person has net Schedule C income of at least $185,000, then the full $35,000 can be contributed and deducted. The 401(a)(17) limit is applied after the reduction of the Schedule C income by the plan contribution and one-half of the self employment tax. For example, if net Schedule C income is $185,000, it is reduced by the $35,000 contribution and approximately $7,500 self-employment tax. This results in $142,500 as plan compensation, which would support the $35,000 allocation without a 415 violation.

I agree. Where's the dunce cap icon?