Plan-size band · total participants at plan year end
Plans with 250 to 499 participants
The same-size peer group used on every plan page in this band.
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.
18,737 retirement plans with 250 to 499 participants with 100 or more participants filed Form 5500 for plan year 2024 (17,849 defined contribution, 888 defined benefit). All Form 5500 pension filers in the group reported 6,593,561 participant records and $480.3B in net assets.
The median defined contribution plan held $48,539 per participant, below the national median of $53,031, and its employer put in $2,014 per active participant (national: $2,174). Among plans reporting Schedule C compensation the median was $141 per participant against $123 nationally.
Employers contributed $14.9B and participants $22.2B during the year, and the plans paid out $46.3B in benefits.
In 2009 the same group numbered 17,837 plans with $190.8B; by 2024 it was 18,737 plans (up 5%) and $480.3B (up 152%). 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 | Band: DC | US: DC | Band: DB | US: DB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net assets per participant | $48,539 | $53,031 | $87,254 | $86,234 |
| Employer contributions per active participant | $2,014 | $2,174 | $10,887 | $10,244 |
| Schedule C compensation per participant | $141 | $123 | $413 | $344 |
| Schedule C compensation, share of net assets | 0.30% | 0.26% | 0.51% | 0.42% |
| Administrative expenses per participant | $133 | $116 | $595 | $527 |
Medians across plans with 100 or more participants (17,619 DC and 883 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 | $24,719 | $48,539 | $88,701 | 17,619 |
| Employer contributions per active participant | $992 | $2,014 | $3,794 | 16,806 |
| Schedule C compensation per participant | $64.62 | $141 | $233 | 16,350 |
| Administrative expenses per participant | $52.92 | $133 | $225 | 17,056 |
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 | 2,380 | 833,710 | $69.0B | $1.79B | $3.24B | $64,259 | $165 |
| 2024 | 18,737 | 6,593,561 | $480.3B | $14.9B | $22.2B | $48,539 | $141 |
| 2023 | 19,213 | 6,755,778 | $446.2B | $14.6B | $21.7B | $42,671 | $120 |
| 2022 | 20,327 | 7,115,673 | $388.6B | $13.8B | $20.4B | $33,173 | $108 |
| 2021 | 19,754 | 6,921,222 | $462.5B | $12.6B | $19.0B | $40,524 | $113 |
| 2020 | 19,690 | 6,887,556 | $432.8B | $12.3B | $17.7B | $38,115 | $98.25 |
| 2019 | 19,700 | 6,894,145 | $379.1B | $12.2B | $16.8B | $32,813 | $84.94 |
| 2018 | 19,259 | 6,740,201 | $326.1B | $11.4B | $15.5B | $28,738 | $77.17 |
| 2017 | 18,744 | 6,542,352 | $342.5B | $11.3B | $14.3B | $31,453 | $66.66 |
| 2016 | 18,465 | 6,433,427 | $300.9B | $10.7B | $13.4B | $28,144 | $56.17 |
| 2015 | 18,150 | 6,347,035 | $282.6B | $10.1B | $12.7B | $26,812 | $48.98 |
| 2014 | 17,845 | 6,245,790 | $286.1B | $9.64B | $11.8B | $27,673 | $44.40 |
| 2013 | 17,747 | 6,209,071 | $272.8B | $9.32B | $11.1B | $27,253 | $36.58 |
| 2012 | 17,528 | 6,116,491 | $235.2B | $9.17B | $10.5B | $23,614 | $36.22 |
| 2011 | 17,334 | 6,047,045 | $211.7B | $9.10B | $9.97B | $21,691 | $35.37 |
| 2010 | 17,428 | 6,091,752 | $212.0B | $8.39B | $9.70B | $22,165 | $34.46 |
| 2009 | 17,837 | 6,226,383 | $190.8B | $8.23B | $9.71B | $19,562 | $29.68 |
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 18,662 plans on this page's list, by number of plans. A plan usually names several providers.
Largest plans
The 50 largest by participants of 18,662 plans with a page on this site.
| Plan | Sponsor | State | Type | Participants | Net assets | Per participant | Employer / active | Sch. C / participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Shubert Organization, Inc. Employees Pension Plan | The Shubert Organization, Inc. | NY | DB | 499 | $200M | $401,759 | — | $989 |
| Boston Higashi School Retirement Savings Plan | Boston Higashi School, Inc. | MA | DC | 499 | $36.9M | $74,040 | $1,934 | $14.22 |
| Life Unlimited, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Life Unlimited, Inc. | MO | DC | 499 | $6.0M | $12,083 | $1,026 | $133 |
| Doerfer Corporation 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan & Trust | Doerfer Corporation | IA | DC | 499 | $40.0M | $80,199 | $1,453 | $193 |
| H.Y.B., Inc. DBA Harper's Retirement Program | H.Y.B., Inc. DBA Harper's | TN | DC | 499 | $10.8M | $21,578 | $534 | $194 |
| Odl, Incorporated 401(k) Profit-Sharing Plan and Trust | Odl, Incorporated | MI | DC | 499 | $66.6M | $133,446 | $3,876 | $252 |
| Sheet Metal Workers Local 24 Cincinnati Area Retirement Plan and Trust | Sheet Metal Workers Unions Local 24 | OH | DC | 499 | $60.7M | $121,646 | $7,238 | $309 |
| MMC Holding of Brooklyn , Inc. Money Purchase Pension Plan | MMC Holding of Brooklyn, Inc. | NY | DC | 499 | $39.4M | $78,893 | $1,500 | — |
| Synergy Companies 401(k) Plan | Synergy Companies | CA | DC | 499 | $11.0M | $22,139 | $699 | $111 |
| By Your Side, LLC 401(k) Plan | By Your Side, LLC | IL | DC | 499 | $2.0M | $4,020 | $73 | $46.27 |
| CSD 403(b) Plan | Communication Service for the Deaf, Inc. | TX | DC | 499 | $4.5M | $9,107 | $19 | $61.30 |
| Hamilton-Ryker Group, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan | Hamilton-Ryker Group, Inc. | TN | DC | 499 | −$4.0M | — | $9,516 | — |
| Tempel Employees Pension Plan | Tempel Steel Company, LLC | IL | DB | 499 | $39.6M | $79,340 | $38,625 | $1,263 |
| Datalogic 401(k) Plan | Datalogic USA, Inc. | OR | DC | 499 | $89.5M | $179,400 | $3,469 | $511 |
| Provider Partners Management Services, LLC 401(k) Plan | Provider Partners Management Services, LLC | MD | DC | 499 | $9.9M | $19,856 | $488 | $50.49 |
| Suvoda LLC 401(k) Plan | Suvoda LLC | PA | DC | 499 | $25.4M | $50,827 | $3,847 | $89.34 |
| Buspatrol America LLC 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan | Buspatrol America LLC | VA | DC | 499 | $9.4M | $18,933 | $1,817 | $93.89 |
| Datascan Retirement Plan | Datascan Technologies, LLC | GA | DC | 499 | $88.9M | $178,149 | $3,997 | $23.70 |
| Omega Morgan Holdings Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan | Omega Morgan Holdings Inc. | OR | DC | 499 | $25.2M | $50,594 | $2,221 | $86.91 |
| National Oak Distributors, Inc. 401(k) Plan | National Oak Distributors, Inc. | FL | DC | 499 | $19.3M | $38,727 | $1,033 | $61.45 |
| Citizens Medical Center, Inc. 401(k) and Pension Trust | Citizens Medical Center, Inc. | KS | DC | 499 | $32.9M | $65,932 | $2,714 | $161 |
| Medic Ambulance Service, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan & Trust | Medic Ambulance Service, Inc. | CA | DC | 499 | $13.6M | $27,321 | $963 | $132 |
| Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union No. 538 Annuity Fund | Board of Trustees - Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union No. 538 | TN | DC | 499 | $3.8M | $7,581 | $2,956 | $18.04 |
| Odyssey Information Services I 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan & Trust | Odyssey Information Services I | TX | DC | 499 | $15.7M | $31,380 | $574 | $35.07 |
| Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice, Inc. 403(b) Plan | Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice, Inc. | NJ | DC | 499 | $30.5M | $61,038 | $2,290 | $164 |
| BCB Community Bank 401(k) Plan | BCB Community Bank | NJ | DC | 499 | $21.8M | $43,784 | $1,989 | $80.42 |
| Tovala 401(k) Plan | Maestro Food Co. | IL | DC | 499 | $9.6M | $19,194 | $1,903 | $131 |
| NFC 401(k) Plan | Northwest Financial Corp. | IA | DC | 499 | $65.6M | $131,498 | $3,065 | $335 |
| Scentair Retirement Savings Plan | Scentair Technologies, Inc. | NC | DC | 499 | $14.3M | $28,710 | $1,459 | $262 |
| RMS Lifeline Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan & Trust | RMS Lifeline Inc. | IL | DC | 499 | $21.8M | $43,724 | $1,687 | $102 |
| National Starch and Chemical Company Consolidated Pension Plan | Henkel US Operations Corporation | CT | DB | 499 | $112M | $223,708 | — | — |
| Miller's 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan | Skico, Inc. | IN | DC | 499 | $3.2M | $6,506 | $283 | $52.88 |
| Opticsplanet, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust | Opticsplanet, Inc. | IL | DC | 499 | $10.8M | $21,641 | $521 | $131 |
| Macrogenics 401(k) Plan | Macrogenics | MD | DC | 499 | $84.0M | $168,264 | $6,526 | $215 |
| Capital Lumber Company 401(k) Plan | Capital Lumber Company | AZ | DC | 499 | $48.8M | $97,799 | $2,350 | $386 |
| Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 553 Pension Plan | Trustees of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 553 | IL | DB | 499 | $59.3M | $118,904 | $15,740 | $389 |
| Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum 403(b) DC Plan | Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum | NY | DC | 499 | $26.2M | $52,545 | $2,669 | $137 |
| Sojitz Group 401(k) Plan | Sojitz Corporation of America | NY | DC | 499 | $96.2M | $192,836 | $3,581 | $221 |
| Spring Eq 401(k) Plan | Spring Eq LLC | PA | DC | 499 | $15.6M | $31,176 | $2,031 | $120 |
| Stash Financial, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Stash Financial, Inc. DBA Stash Invest | NY | DC | 499 | $21.9M | $43,952 | $0 | $40.17 |
| BDG Media, Inc. 401(k) Plan | BDG Media, Inc. | NY | DC | 499 | $15.1M | $30,325 | — | $240 |
| Ascentec Engineering 401(k) Plan | Ascentec Engineering | OR | DC | 499 | $11.0M | $22,119 | $829 | $5.74 |
| Personnel Outsource 401(k) Plan | Personnel Outsource Solutions, Inc. | NC | DC | 499 | $2.8M | $5,546 | $935 | $25.15 |
| Pen Air Credit Union 401(k) Plan | Pen Air Credit Union | FL | DC | 499 | $37.4M | $75,003 | $3,610 | $9.42 |
| Greenpoint Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Greenpoint Technologies, Inc. | WA | DC | 499 | $33.2M | $66,471 | $3,113 | $124 |
| Silveredge Government Solutions 401(k) Plan | Silveredge Government Solutions, LLC | MD | DC | 499 | $97.2M | $194,707 | $10,737 | $221 |
| Oakland Nursery, Inc. Employee 401(k) Retirement Plan and Trust | Oakland Nursery, Inc. | OH | DC | 499 | $26.8M | $53,654 | $1,358 | — |
| Cyprus Federal Credit Union Cash Balance Defined Benefit Plan and Trust | Cyprus Federal Credit Union | UT | DB | 499 | $39.6M | $79,448 | — | $258 |
| Diesel USA, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan | Diesel USA, Inc. | NY | DC | 498 | $15.2M | $30,480 | $732 | $108 |
| Ampirical Solutions 401(k) Plan | Ampirical Solutions, LLC | LA | DC | 498 | $30.2M | $60,603 | $3,214 | $136 |
By state
Questions and answers
How many retirement plans are there with 250 to 499 participants?
18,737 plans with 100 or more participants filed Form 5500 for plan year 2024, out of 18,737 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 with 250 to 499 participants?
The median defined contribution plan reported $48,539 in net assets per participant (middle half of plans: $24,719 to $88,701); 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 with 250 to 499 participants?
The median defined contribution plan received $2,014 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 with 250 to 499 participants?
Among defined contribution plans that report any Schedule C compensation, the median was $141 per participant and 0.30% 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. Bands use total participants at plan year end (Form 5500 line 6f). See the methodology.