How 401(k) Plan Report works

Use the evidence. Be clear about the limits.

Every number should answer three questions: What does it mean? Where did it come from? What can’t it tell you?

Two kinds of information

We keep historical filing data separate from current plan terms. Filing figures come from the Department of Labor. Match formulas, vesting schedules, eligibility rules, fees, and investments require a dated primary document that we have reviewed.

Employer contributions

Employer contributions reported per active participant is the filing’s total employer contributions divided by active participants. It is useful for comparing reported totals, but it is not the match and it does not tell you what an individual employee received.

Administrative expenses

Reported plan-paid administrative expenses per participant divides the filing’s administrative expenses by beginning-of-year participants. It does not include every cost an employee may bear. A reported zero stays visible, but it is left out of cost rankings because zero does not mean free.

The Filing Benchmark

When there are at least 20 valid peers for both measures, the benchmark gives 70% weight to reported employer contributions and 30% to lower reported administrative expenses. We show no benchmark when either part is missing, and we never shift the weight to the remaining measure.

The verified plan assessment

A full assessment requires reviewed information for all five areas: employer contribution potential, vesting, access, low-cost investment choices, and participant costs. If one area is incomplete, we show what is known without publishing a total.