Industry sector · Form 5500 business code 44xxxx
Retail trade: retirement plans
Plans whose sponsor entered a business code in this sector on Form 5500.
Form 5500 information is as filed by the plan administrator with the Department of Labor and may be amended. Figures reflect the plan year shown, not current balances. The business code is chosen by the filer from the list in the Form 5500 instructions.
4,157 retirement plans in retail trade with 100 or more participants filed Form 5500 for plan year 2024 (4,020 defined contribution, 137 defined benefit). All Form 5500 pension filers in the group reported 16,047,836 participant records and $552.1B in net assets.
The median defined contribution plan held $36,703 per participant, well below the national median of $53,031, and its employer put in $999 per active participant (national: $2,174). Among plans reporting Schedule C compensation the median was $121 per participant against $123 nationally.
Employers contributed $12.6B and participants $22.7B during the year, and the plans paid out $53.8B in benefits.
In 2009 the same group numbered 5,155 plans with $194.6B; by 2024 it was 4,157 plans (down 19%) and $552.1B (up 184%). From plan year 2023 the 100-participant line counts participants with account balances, which moved many plans to the short form.
Medians compared with all US plans
| Median plan, plan year 2024 | Industry: DC | US: DC | Industry: DB | US: DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net assets per participant | $36,703 | $53,031 | $30,870 | $86,234 |
| Employer contributions per active participant | $999 | $2,174 | $2,829 | $10,244 |
| Schedule C compensation per participant | $121 | $123 | $165 | $344 |
| Schedule C compensation, share of net assets | 0.36% | 0.26% | 0.59% | 0.42% |
| Administrative expenses per participant | $114 | $116 | $310 | $527 |
Medians across plans with 100 or more participants (3,817 DC and 132 DB plans with a Schedule H here). Fee medians cover plans reporting an amount. DC: defined contribution, such as 401(k) and 403(b). DB: defined benefit pension.
Distribution of DC plans
| Measure | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile | Plans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net assets per participant | $20,273 | $36,703 | $57,724 | 3,817 |
| Employer contributions per active participant | $474 | $999 | $1,970 | 3,579 |
| Schedule C compensation per participant | $52.99 | $121 | $209 | 3,531 |
| Administrative expenses per participant | $45.09 | $114 | $204 | 3,698 |
Trend by plan year
| Plan year | Plans 100+ | Participants | Net assets | Employer contributions | Participant contributions | Median DC assets / participant | Median DC Sch. C / participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025partial | 577 | 1,975,486 | $107.6B | $2.18B | $4.41B | $48,604 | $124 |
| 2024 | 4,157 | 16,047,836 | $552.1B | $12.6B | $22.7B | $36,703 | $121 |
| 2023 | 4,277 | 15,640,640 | $498.7B | $12.5B | $21.6B | $33,090 | $104 |
| 2022 | 5,210 | 15,461,408 | $439.1B | $11.9B | $21.0B | $26,627 | $97.23 |
| 2021 | 5,146 | 15,059,597 | $501.3B | $11.5B | $19.4B | $32,245 | $100 |
| 2020 | 5,176 | 14,640,435 | $449.5B | $10.6B | $16.8B | $28,846 | $86.82 |
| 2019 | 5,153 | 14,406,413 | $391.0B | $11.6B | $15.6B | $25,407 | $75.92 |
| 2018 | 5,066 | 14,012,807 | $334.4B | $9.15B | $14.5B | $21,848 | $69.09 |
| 2017 | 5,046 | 13,933,397 | $353.9B | $9.50B | $13.7B | $23,823 | $60.08 |
| 2016 | 4,999 | 14,094,206 | $317.4B | $10.3B | $12.9B | $20,937 | $51.34 |
| 2015 | 4,863 | 13,739,018 | $298.1B | $8.64B | $12.3B | $20,074 | $42.44 |
| 2014 | 4,809 | 13,474,532 | $299.8B | $7.88B | $11.0B | $20,867 | $40.64 |
| 2013 | 4,749 | 12,949,024 | $279.9B | $8.13B | $10.2B | $20,486 | $36.31 |
| 2012 | 4,747 | 12,990,726 | $247.3B | $9.26B | $9.65B | $17,907 | $35.50 |
| 2011 | 4,809 | 12,788,726 | $223.9B | $7.99B | $9.01B | $16,474 | $37.47 |
| 2010 | 4,932 | 12,678,816 | $217.3B | $8.22B | $8.22B | $17,081 | $39.52 |
| 2009 | 5,155 | 12,977,538 | $194.6B | $8.24B | $8.00B | $14,887 | $33.97 |
Plan year is the year in which the plan year began. The drop in large plans from 2023 follows a rule change: the 100-participant line now counts participants with account balances, so many plans moved to the short form.
Provider share
Service provider organisations named most often on the Schedule C of the 4,154 plans on this page's list, by number of plans. A plan usually names several providers.
Largest plans
The 50 largest by participants of 4,154 plans with a page on this site.
| Plan | Sponsor | State | Type | Participants | Net assets | Per participant | Employer / active | Sch. C / participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart 401(k) Plan | Walmart Inc. | AR | DC | 1,970,230 | $50.7B | $25,757 | $1,092 | $20.94 |
| Target Corporation 401(k) Plan | Target Corporation | MN | DC | 495,482 | $14.4B | $29,085 | $894 | — |
| The Home Depot Futurebuilder | The Home Depot, Inc. | GA | DC | 468,817 | $15.7B | $33,465 | $672 | $43.78 |
| The Kroger Co. 401(k) Retirement Savings Account Plan | The Kroger Co. | OH | DC | 411,922 | $11.8B | $28,667 | $728 | $6.61 |
| CVS Health Future Fund 401(k) Plan | CVS Health Corporation | RI | DC | 385,927 | $30.1B | $77,896 | $1,778 | $114 |
| UFCW Consolidated Pension Fund | BD of Trustees UFCW Consolidated Pension Fund | GA | DB | 347,574 | $5.53B | $15,921 | $365 | $73.60 |
| The TJX Companies, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan | The TJX Companies, Inc. | MA | DC | 311,623 | $3.66B | $11,747 | $376 | $3.21 |
| Starbucks Corporation 401(k) Plan | Starbucks Corporation | WA | DC | 299,619 | $4.89B | $16,324 | $832 | $12.08 |
| Lowes 401(k) Plan | Lowe's Companies, Inc. | NC | DC | 295,951 | $8.58B | $29,008 | $741 | $4.23 |
| Costco 401(k) Retirement Plan | Costco Wholesale Corporation | WA | DC | 279,798 | $41.5B | $148,406 | $3,384 | $20.12 |
| Walgreens Retirement Savings Plan | Walgreen Co. | IL | DC | 254,452 | $14.5B | $57,126 | $1,067 | $15.50 |
| Publix Super Markets, Inc. 401(k) Smart Plan | Publix Super Markets, Inc. | FL | DC | 239,138 | $8.06B | $33,687 | $239 | $12.19 |
| Albertsons Companies 401(k) Plan | Albertsons Companies, Inc. | CA | DC | 236,172 | $8.03B | $34,010 | $333 | $21.97 |
| Publix Super Markets, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan & Trust | Publix Super Markets, Inc. | FL | DC | 214,426 | $14.3B | $66,626 | — | — |
| United Food & Commercial Workers Intl Union - Industry Pension Fund | Trustees of UFCW Int'l Union - Industry Pension Fund | IL | DB | 204,155 | $8.12B | $39,755 | $1,787 | $125 |
| Dollar General Corp. 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan | Dollar General Corporation | TN | DC | 201,691 | $825M | $4,088 | $195 | $9.67 |
| Southern California UFCW Unions and Food Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund | Board of Trustees, So Ca UFCW Unions & Food Employers | CA | DB | 199,927 | $6.49B | $32,464 | $5,496 | $93.29 |
| Macys Inc. 401(k) Retirement Investment Plan | Macys, Inc. | OH | DC | 163,125 | $4.63B | $28,411 | $855 | $21.31 |
| UFCW No. California Employers Joint Pension Plan | Board of Trustees, UFCW No. California Employers Joint Pension Plan | CA | DB | 130,691 | $2.89B | $22,133 | $5,150 | $132 |
| H-E-B Partner Stock Plan | H.e.butt Grocery Company | TX | DC | 126,964 | $1.56B | $12,308 | $1,186 | — |
| H-E-B Savings & Retirement Plan | H.e.butt Grocery Company | TX | DC | 122,477 | $4.33B | $35,357 | $1,247 | $31.43 |
| Whole Foods Market Growing Your Future 401(k) Plan | Whole Foods Market, Inc. | TX | DC | 117,275 | $2.44B | $20,769 | $551 | $35.56 |
| Nordstrom 401(k) Plan | Nordstrom, Inc. | WA | DC | 109,402 | $4.29B | $39,218 | $1,286 | $99.67 |
| Best Buy Retirement Savings Plan | Best Buy Enterprise Services, Inc. | MN | DC | 109,038 | $3.54B | $32,478 | $749 | $53.79 |
| Sound Retirement Trust | Board of Trustees, Sound Retirement Trust | WA | DB | 107,493 | $2.56B | $23,826 | $1,180 | $93.17 |
| Dollar Tree Retirement Savings Plan | Dollar Tree, Inc. | VA | DC | 105,623 | $979M | $9,270 | $380 | $13.65 |
| Autozone, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Autozone, Inc. | TN | DC | 103,434 | $1.10B | $10,648 | $407 | $9.69 |
| Sound Variable Annuity Pension Trust | Board of Trustees, Sound Variable Annuity | WA | DB | 102,120 | $140M | $1,372 | $426 | $27.79 |
| O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. Profit Sharing and Savings Plan | O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. | MO | DC | 93,644 | $2.13B | $22,745 | $711 | $38.02 |
| Food Lion 401(k) Plan | Food Lion, LLC | NC | DC | 86,247 | $1.27B | $14,697 | $501 | $16.44 |
| Gapshare 401(k) Plan | Gap Inc. | CA | DC | 83,515 | $2.61B | $31,279 | $695 | $16.92 |
| Ahold USA, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan for Union Associates | Ahold USA, Inc. | MA | DC | 79,282 | $910M | $11,481 | $5 | $8.48 |
| Target Corporation Pension Plan | Target Corporation | MN | DB | 75,775 | $3.29B | $43,474 | — | $138 |
| The Hy-Vee and Affiliates 401(k) Plan | Hy-Vee, Inc. | IA | DC | 75,634 | $3.11B | $41,098 | $684 | $45.28 |
| Circle K Retirement Plan | The Circle K Retirement Plan | AZ | DC | 75,362 | $506M | $6,713 | $106 | $12.95 |
| Trader Joe's Company Retirement Plan | Trader Joe's Company | CA | DC | 73,118 | $3.20B | $43,801 | $457 | $8.48 |
| 7-ELEVEN, Inc. 401(k) Plan | 7-ELEVEN, Inc. | TX | DC | 71,029 | $1.05B | $14,724 | $464 | $24.58 |
| Advance Auto Parts, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Advance Stores Company, Inc. | VA | DC | 70,657 | $1.11B | $15,703 | $482 | $20.98 |
| Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance 401(k) Retirement Plan | Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. | IL | DC | 70,205 | $542M | $7,720 | $388 | $12.08 |
| Aldi Inc. Retirement Savings Plan | Aldi Inc. | IL | DC | 68,605 | $2.06B | $30,081 | $1,457 | $31.07 |
| Rocky Mountain UFCW Unions and Employers Retail and Meat Pension Plan | Trustees of the Rocky Mountain UFCW Pension Plan C/o Zenith American S | CO | DB | 68,000 | $1.29B | $18,938 | $1,150 | $78.83 |
| The Wegmans Retirement Plans | Wegmans Food Markets Inc. | NY | DC | 66,626 | $3.98B | $59,699 | $1,579 | $7.11 |
| Ross Stores, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan | Ross Stores, Inc. | CA | DC | 66,413 | $1.18B | $17,801 | $479 | $10.29 |
| Kohl's Inc. Savings Plan | Kohl's Inc. | WI | DC | 63,271 | $2.28B | $36,073 | $1,053 | — |
| J. C. Penney Corporation, Inc. Safe Harbor 401(k) Savings Plan | Penney Opco, LLC | TX | DC | 61,998 | $2.17B | $34,999 | $788 | $20.85 |
| Tractor Supply Company 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan | Tractor Supply Company | TN | DC | 61,116 | $560M | $9,159 | $378 | $20.42 |
| UFCW No. California Food Employers Joint Individual Account Plan | Board of Trustees UFCW No. California Food Employers Joint Ind Account | CA | DC | 58,508 | $267M | $4,558 | $423 | $39.08 |
| Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. Smart Savings 401(k) Plan | Dick's Sporting Goods, Inc. | PA | DC | 58,305 | $884M | $15,157 | $686 | $12.07 |
| Oregon Retail Employees Pension Plan | Board of Trustees, Oregon Retail Employees Pension | OR | DB | 56,361 | $1.06B | $18,862 | $1,559 | $66.50 |
| Desert States Employers & UFCW Unions Pension Plan | Board of Trustees, Desert States Employers & UFCW | AZ | DB | 55,607 | $1.04B | $18,617 | $1,263 | $81.25 |
By plan size
By state
Business codes in this sector
Codes with 20 or more plans of 100+ participants in plan year 2024. Labels are from the official Form 5500 instructions.
Questions and answers
How many retirement plans are there in retail trade?
4,157 plans with 100 or more participants filed Form 5500 for plan year 2024, out of 8,421 pension plans on the full form. Smaller plans file Form 5500-SF and are counted separately where shown.
What is the typical 401(k) balance in retail trade?
The median defined contribution plan reported $36,703 in net assets per participant (middle half of plans: $20,273 to $57,724); nationally it was $53,031. This is a plan-level average that includes former employees, not a typical person's balance.
What do employers contribute in retail trade?
The median defined contribution plan received $999 in employer contributions per active participant, against $2,174 nationally. Plans with no employer contribution are included at zero.
What are average 401(k) fees in retail trade?
Among defined contribution plans that report any Schedule C compensation, the median was $121 per participant and 0.36% of net assets (nationally $123 and 0.26%). Schedule C leaves out fund expense ratios and fees the employer pays, so it understates total cost.
Where does this come from?
Form 5500 annual reports in the EBSA research files, with filings received through 24 Aug 2026. Medians are computed by this site across plans with 100 or more participants.
Provenance
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Form 5500 research files, public domain, with filings received through 24 Aug 2026. Totals count every pension plan on the full form; medians and the plan list cover plans with 100 or more participants. See the methodology.