Industry · Form 5500 business code 454310
Fuel Dealers (including Heating Oil and Liquefied Petroleum): retirement plans
Plans whose sponsor entered this principal business activity code 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.
For plan year 2024, 50 retirement plans in fuel dealers (including heating oil and liquefied petroleum) with 100 or more participants filed Form 5500: 47 defined contribution and 3 defined benefit. They reported 44,505 participant records and $2.66B in net assets, counting every plan on the form.
The median defined contribution plan held $56,562 per participant, above the national median of $53,031, and its employer put in $2,066 per active participant (national: $2,174). Among plans reporting Schedule C compensation the median was $185 per participant against $123 nationally.
Employers contributed $70.0M and participants $122M during the year, and the plans paid out $391M in benefits.
In 2012 the same group numbered 25 plans with $1.25B; by 2024 it was 50 plans (up 100%) and $2.66B (up 114%). 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 | $56,562 | $53,031 | $53,602 | $86,234 |
| Employer contributions per active participant | $2,066 | $2,174 | $21,519 | $10,244 |
| Schedule C compensation per participant | $185 | $123 | $540 | $344 |
| Schedule C compensation, share of net assets | 0.29% | 0.26% | 1.0% | 0.42% |
| Administrative expenses per participant | $151 | $116 | $709 | $527 |
Medians across plans with 100 or more participants (45 DC and 3 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 | $34,395 | $56,562 | $84,349 | 45 |
| Employer contributions per active participant | $1,385 | $2,066 | $3,259 | 44 |
| Schedule C compensation per participant | $95.20 | $185 | $256 | 42 |
| Administrative expenses per participant | $98.17 | $151 | $234 | 45 |
Trend by plan year
| Plan year | Plans 100+ | Participants | Net assets | Employer contributions | Participant contributions | Median DC assets / participant | Median DC Sch. C / participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 50 | 44,505 | $2.66B | $70.0M | $122M | $56,562 | $185 |
| 2023 | 50 | 44,441 | $2.45B | $67.5M | $114M | $49,473 | $161 |
| 2022 | 59 | 46,386 | $2.24B | $68.5M | $112M | $38,418 | $139 |
| 2021 | 57 | 45,340 | $2.69B | $60.9M | $103M | $45,134 | $176 |
| 2020 | 53 | 44,203 | $2.46B | $62.4M | $94.1M | $43,929 | $120 |
| 2019 | 50 | 45,794 | $2.19B | $60.1M | $88.8M | $41,488 | $116 |
| 2018 | 49 | 45,247 | $1.87B | $55.5M | $78.5M | $32,176 | $99.18 |
| 2017 | 49 | 62,193 | $3.26B | $68.8M | $147M | $36,957 | $46.22 |
| 2016 | 45 | 62,114 | $2.70B | $75.3M | $125M | $32,913 | $103 |
| 2015 | 45 | 62,146 | $2.56B | $57.6M | $119M | $28,392 | $48.50 |
| 2014 | 51 | 62,243 | $2.64B | $65.2M | $113M | $30,503 | $29.78 |
| 2013 | 55 | 62,200 | $2.53B | $60.1M | $108M | $32,279 | $22.44 |
| 2012 | 25 | 31,759 | $1.25B | $29.6M | $57.3M | $26,081 | $35.19 |
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 50 plans on this page's list, by number of plans. A plan usually names several providers.
Largest plans
The 40 largest by participants of 50 plans with a page on this site.
| Plan | Sponsor | State | Type | Participants | Net assets | Per participant | Employer / active | Sch. C / participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amerigas Propane, Inc. Savings Plan | Amerigas Propane, Inc. | PA | DC | 7,697 | $530M | $68,852 | $2,532 | $66.64 |
| Ferrell Companies, Inc. 401(k) Investment Plan | Ferrell Companies, Inc. | MO | DC | 5,367 | $276M | $51,468 | $1,185 | $75.03 |
| Suburban Propane Retirement Savings and Investment Plan | Suburban Propane L.P. | NJ | DC | 4,663 | $254M | $54,478 | $1,314 | $102 |
| Retirement Savings Plan | Petroleum Heat and Power Co., Inc. | CT | DC | 3,828 | $352M | $91,832 | $3,009 | $85.88 |
| Superior Plus Energy Services, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan | Superior Plus Energy Services, Inc. | NY | DC | 3,259 | $186M | $57,020 | $2,380 | $110 |
| Local 553 Pension Fund | Board of Trustees of Local 553 Pension Fund | NY | DB | 1,891 | $253M | $133,674 | $17,881 | $737 |
| Pension Plan for Eligible Employees of Suburban Propane L.P. and Subsidiaries | Suburban Propane L.P. | NJ | DB | 1,796 | $51.6M | $28,731 | $25,157 | $298 |
| Thompsongas LLC 401(k) Plan | Thompsongas, LLC | MD | DC | 1,534 | $40.3M | $26,241 | $1,775 | $108 |
| Energy North Retirement Plan | Energy North, Inc. | MA | DC | 1,011 | $23.7M | $23,435 | $1,251 | $89.51 |
| Dril-Quip, Inc. Employee 401(k) Retirement Plan | Dril-Quip, Inc. | TX | DC | 858 | $40.7M | $47,447 | $3,159 | $146 |
| Petroleum Heat and Power Co., Inc. Retirement Plan | Petroleum Heat and Power Co., Inc. | CT | DB | 822 | $44.1M | $53,602 | — | $540 |
| Sampson-Bladen Oil Company, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan and Trust | Sampson-Bladen Oil Company, Inc. | NC | DC | 731 | $18.6M | $25,414 | $1,094 | $70.08 |
| Eastern Propane 401(k) Plan | Eastern Propane Gas, Inc. | NH | DC | 625 | $85.0M | $135,929 | $4,034 | $212 |
| Paraco Gas & Affiliates 401(k) Savings and Retirement Plan | Paraco Gas Corporation | NY | DC | 505 | $24.0M | $47,462 | $1,955 | $259 |
| Local 553 Deferred Compensation Fund | Board of Trustees of Local 553 Deferred Compensation Fund | NY | DC | 488 | $45.3M | $92,811 | $7,551 | $587 |
| Shipley Energy 401(k) Retirement Plan | Shipley Energy | PA | DC | 458 | $34.8M | $76,025 | $1,886 | $109 |
| Wilson Oil, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust | Wilson Oil, Inc. | WA | DC | 454 | $30.4M | $66,857 | $4,026 | $273 |
| Meritum Energy GP, LLC 401(k) Plan | Meritum Energy GP, LLC | TX | DC | 379 | $7.7M | $20,231 | $3,397 | $180 |
| Slomin's, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan | Slomin's, Inc. | NY | DC | 371 | $21.3M | $57,531 | $0 | $5.62 |
| Beck Suppliers, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Beck Suppliers, Inc. | OH | DC | 320 | $10.7M | $33,372 | $1,435 | $209 |
| Gault Energy Retirement Plan | L.H. Gault & Son, Inc. DBA Gault, Inc. | CT | DC | 307 | $19.1M | $62,205 | $946 | $118 |
| Maine Oxy-Acetylene Supply Co. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan | Maine Oxy-Acetylene Supply Co. | ME | DC | 304 | $10.1M | $33,290 | $1,197 | $75.94 |
| Colville/brooks Range Supply 401(k) Plan | Colville/brooks Range Supply | AK | DC | 299 | $22.7M | $75,753 | $2,611 | $208 |
| Heritage Petroleum, LLC 401(k) Plan | Heritage Petroleum, LLC | IN | DC | 292 | $10.0M | $34,395 | $2,046 | $140 |
| Federated Co-Ops, Inc. 401(k) Plan and Trust | Federated Co-Ops, Inc. | MN | DC | 290 | $26.5M | $91,488 | $3,213 | $226 |
| Santa Fuel, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan | Santa Fuel, Inc. | CT | DC | 281 | $30.0M | $106,906 | $1,858 | $123 |
| Foster Fuels, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Foster Fuels, Inc. | VA | DC | 272 | $11.7M | $43,105 | $2,054 | $92.92 |
| Norbert E. Mitchell Co., Inc. Retirement Plan | Norbert E. Mitchell Co., Inc. | CT | DC | 265 | $28.4M | $107,213 | $4,975 | $241 |
| Parker Gas 401(k) Plan | Parker Gas Company, Inc. | NC | DC | 256 | $4.7M | $18,219 | $867 | $246 |
| Paloma Pressure Control, LLC | Paloma Pressure Control LLC | TX | DC | 249 | $3.1M | $12,650 | $2,322 | $76.29 |
| Interstate Oil Co. Savings & Retirement Plan | Interstate Oil Co. | CA | DC | 236 | $11.1M | $47,236 | $808 | $226 |
| Sail Energy 401(k) Plan | Sail Energy, LLC | NH | DC | 231 | $7.7M | $33,207 | $996 | $531 |
| Palmer Gas Company Profit Sharing Plan | Palmer Gas Company, LLC | NH | DC | 228 | $14.8M | $65,038 | — | $88.91 |
| Aero Energy Retirement and Profit Sharing Plan | Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Solutions, Inc. | PA | DC | 228 | — | — | — | — |
| Port Consolidated 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan and Trust | Port Consolidated, Inc. | FL | DC | 224 | $22.1M | $98,590 | $1,956 | $341 |
| Standard Oil of Connecticut, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Standard Oil of Connecticut, Inc. | CT | DC | 223 | $42.3M | $189,847 | $4,520 | $389 |
| Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Solutions, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan | Mid-Atlantic Cooperative Solutions, Inc. | PA | DC | 214 | $7.7M | $36,084 | $4,001 | — |
| Devaney Energy, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan | Devaney Energy, Inc. | MA | DC | 208 | $24.3M | $116,914 | $4,780 | $190 |
| Ramos Oil Company, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan | Ramos Oil Company, Inc. | CA | DC | 208 | $17.5M | $84,349 | $5,842 | $418 |
| Jack's Companies 401(k) Plan | Jack's Oil Distributing, Inc. | MN | DC | 204 | $4.0M | $19,700 | — | $234 |
By plan size
By state
Questions and answers
How many retirement plans are there in fuel dealers (including heating oil and liquefied petroleum)?
50 plans with 100 or more participants filed Form 5500 for plan year 2024, out of 76 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 fuel dealers (including heating oil and liquefied petroleum)?
The median defined contribution plan reported $56,562 in net assets per participant (middle half of plans: $34,395 to $84,349); 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 fuel dealers (including heating oil and liquefied petroleum)?
The median defined contribution plan received $2,066 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 fuel dealers (including heating oil and liquefied petroleum)?
Among defined contribution plans that report any Schedule C compensation, the median was $185 per participant and 0.29% 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.