A typical 401(k) statement includes an account balance, total contributions, and a summary of investment performance.

Americans working for themselves, whether full time or as a side pursuit, has become a lot more mainstream in 2026. While freelancers, contractors, real estate agents, content creators, and online sellers all have different workflows, what they share is a personal responsibility to plan for retirement. Unlike W-2 earners, no employer is helping set that up for them.