Retainer
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A fixed, recurring fee paid to a professional or consultant to secure their availability and services over a specified period, regardless of the actual hours worked.
## Retainer
A retainer is a pre-agreed payment — typically monthly — that guarantees access to a professional's services. Unlike hourly billing, retainers provide predictable costs for the client and predictable income for the professional.
### Common Types
- **Access retainer**: Pays for availability; hours are billed separately.
- **Work retainer**: Includes a set number of hours per month; excess billed at an hourly rate.
- **Hybrid**: A base retainer with a performance-based bonus component.
### Where Retainers Are Common
Legal services, management consulting, PR agencies, fractional executives (CFO, CTO), and freelance developers commonly use retainer arrangements.
### Tax Treatment
Retainer income is generally reported as self-employment or business income. In the US, it is subject to self-employment tax (15.3%) in addition to income tax. Retainer fees are typically recognized as revenue when earned, not when received.