Plan-size band · total participants at plan year end
Plans with 5,000 to 24,999 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.
For plan year 2024, 3,267 retirement plans with 5,000 to 24,999 participants with 100 or more participants filed Form 5500: 2,615 defined contribution and 652 defined benefit. They reported 34,321,451 participant records and $3.28T in net assets, counting every plan on the form.
The median defined contribution plan held $64,416 per participant, above the national median of $53,031, and its employer put in $2,413 per active participant (national: $2,174). Among plans reporting Schedule C compensation the median was $53.38 per participant against $123 nationally.
Employers contributed $83.2B and participants $104.1B during the year, and the plans paid out $281.6B in benefits.
In 2009 the same group numbered 2,788 plans with $1.20T; by 2024 it was 3,267 plans (up 17%) and $3.28T (up 173%). 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 | $64,416 | $53,031 | $87,623 | $86,234 |
| Employer contributions per active participant | $2,413 | $2,174 | $9,468 | $10,244 |
| Schedule C compensation per participant | $53.38 | $123 | $232 | $344 |
| Schedule C compensation, share of net assets | 0.09% | 0.26% | 0.30% | 0.42% |
| Administrative expenses per participant | $54.68 | $116 | $396 | $527 |
Medians across plans with 100 or more participants (2,610 DC and 651 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 | $23,492 | $64,416 | $125,215 | 2,610 |
| Employer contributions per active participant | $838 | $2,413 | $4,811 | 2,491 |
| Schedule C compensation per participant | $29.83 | $53.38 | $82.66 | 2,530 |
| Administrative expenses per participant | $31.07 | $54.68 | $86.15 | 2,514 |
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 | 417 | 4,347,105 | $536.8B | $11.7B | $19.0B | $93,829 | $60.66 |
| 2024 | 3,267 | 34,321,451 | $3.28T | $83.2B | $104.1B | $64,416 | $53.38 |
| 2023 | 3,245 | 34,100,905 | $3.00T | $77.6B | $96.9B | $58,855 | $51.17 |
| 2022 | 3,158 | 33,075,917 | $2.63T | $74.1B | $88.5B | $51,329 | $51.03 |
| 2021 | 3,083 | 32,387,223 | $3.14T | $67.2B | $80.5B | $63,284 | $50.56 |
| 2020 | 3,062 | 32,206,610 | $2.95T | $68.4B | $74.3B | $58,924 | $49.21 |
| 2019 | 3,083 | 32,337,148 | $2.58T | $70.7B | $70.4B | $51,256 | $45.35 |
| 2018 | 3,023 | 31,986,012 | $2.21T | $64.5B | $64.9B | $43,312 | $42.61 |
| 2017 | 3,013 | 31,559,141 | $2.37T | $72.5B | $61.2B | $46,211 | $38.13 |
| 2016 | 3,027 | 31,432,269 | $2.10T | $70.9B | $56.1B | $39,514 | $31.02 |
| 2015 | 2,991 | 31,135,798 | $1.96T | $65.8B | $53.3B | $38,881 | $28.23 |
| 2014 | 2,931 | 30,537,220 | $1.94T | $58.9B | $49.0B | $38,982 | $24.17 |
| 2013 | 2,918 | 30,321,398 | $1.82T | $57.1B | $46.0B | $36,829 | $19.16 |
| 2012 | 2,891 | 29,845,741 | $1.58T | $61.0B | $42.5B | $31,490 | $16.74 |
| 2011 | 2,863 | 29,415,851 | $1.41T | $62.4B | $40.0B | $28,150 | $15.09 |
| 2010 | 2,816 | 28,849,755 | $1.38T | $58.1B | $37.5B | $29,057 | $14.39 |
| 2009 | 2,788 | 28,315,557 | $1.20T | $51.0B | $34.6B | $25,515 | $12.58 |
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 3,280 plans on this page's list, by number of plans. A plan usually names several providers.
Largest plans
The 50 largest by participants of 3,280 plans with a page on this site.
| Plan | Sponsor | State | Type | Participants | Net assets | Per participant | Employer / active | Sch. C / participant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whirlpool 401(k) Retirement Plan | Whirlpool Corporation | MI | DC | 24,954 | $3.45B | $138,355 | $4,618 | $103 |
| St. Luke's Health Network 403(b) Plan | St. Luke's Health Network, Inc. | PA | DC | 24,937 | $810M | $32,491 | — | $35.72 |
| Central Laborers Annuity Plan | Board of Trustees of Central Laborers Annuity Plan | IL | DC | 24,935 | $355M | $14,243 | $4,099 | $67.89 |
| Hibbett, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan | Hibbett, Inc. | AL | DC | 24,879 | $59.0M | $2,372 | $92 | $8.58 |
| General Motors Salaried Retirement Program | General Motors LLC | MI | DB | 24,871 | $3.46B | $139,203 | $33,184 | — |
| Petco Animal Supplies Stores, Inc. 401(k) Plan | Petco Animal Supplies Stores, Inc. | CA | DC | 24,846 | $368M | $14,814 | $493 | $6.92 |
| The Retirement Benefit Plan of American Airlines, Inc. for Agent, Management, Specialist, Support Personnel and Officers | American Airlines, Inc. - Retirement | TX | DB | 24,831 | $2.66B | $107,055 | $15,520 | $83.83 |
| Aon Savings Plan | Aon Corporation | GA | DC | 24,731 | $6.59B | $266,398 | $8,152 | $64.75 |
| Halliburton Retirement and Savings Plan | Halliburton Company | TX | DC | 24,712 | $4.54B | $183,555 | $7,298 | $68.21 |
| Nokia SAVINGS/401(K) Plan | Nokia of America Corporation | NJ | DC | 24,701 | $9.63B | $389,840 | — | $837 |
| Equity League 401(k) Plan | Board of Trustees of the Equity League 401(k) Plan | NY | DC | 24,681 | $653M | $26,444 | $483 | $37.00 |
| Teamhealth 401(k) Plan | Ameriteam Services, LLC | TN | DC | 24,670 | $2.10B | $85,108 | $1,087 | $147 |
| Yale University Tax-Deferred 403(b) Savings Plan | Yale University | CT | DC | 24,635 | $874M | $35,476 | — | $12.14 |
| Consolidated 403(b) Plan of Hackensack Meridian Health | Hackensack Meridian Health | NJ | DC | 24,634 | $1.80B | $73,266 | — | $22.74 |
| Teamsters Pension Trust Fund of Philadelphia & Vic | Board of Trustees of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund of Philadelphia & VI | NJ | DB | 24,600 | $2.48B | $100,749 | $20,914 | $520 |
| Retirement Savings Plan | Corteva Agriscience, LLC | DE | DC | 24,519 | $7.02B | $286,124 | $10,379 | $45.38 |
| Eighth District Electrical Pension Fund Annuity Plan | Board of Trustees, Eighth District Electrical Pension | NV | DC | 24,505 | $1.30B | $52,897 | $2,745 | $53.83 |
| National Grid USA Co. Incentive Thrift Plan | National Grid USA Service Company, Inc. | NY | DC | 24,480 | $6.44B | $262,887 | $7,375 | $50.47 |
| Amedisys Holding, LLC 401(k) Plan | Amedisys Holding, L.L.C. | MN | DC | 24,456 | $1.12B | $45,999 | $1,288 | $51.60 |
| Hearst Retirement Savings Plan | The Hearst Corporation | NC | DC | 24,445 | $3.14B | $128,300 | $5,250 | $1.87 |
| The Odp Corporation Retirement Savings Plan | Odp International, LLC | FL | DC | 24,429 | $1.33B | $54,529 | $816 | $48.54 |
| Molina Salary Savings Plan | Molina Healthcare, Inc. | CA | DC | 24,429 | $1.43B | $58,647 | $3,301 | $43.80 |
| Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc. Retirement and Savings Plan | Kellogg Brown & Root LLC | TX | DC | 24,406 | $3.88B | $158,792 | $1,931 | $55.54 |
| Sharpsaver Defined Contribution Plan | Sharp Healthcare | CA | DC | 24,387 | $1.38B | $56,689 | $1,717 | $49.66 |
| General Mills 401(k) Plan | General Mills, Inc. | MN | DC | 24,384 | $5.04B | $206,743 | $5,158 | $159 |
| The CCHS Retirement Plan | The Cleveland Clinic Foundation | OH | DB | 24,365 | $1.04B | $42,851 | $268 | — |
| The Cultural Institutions Pension Plan | The Cultural Institutions Retirement System | NY | DB | 24,316 | $1.67B | $68,559 | $9,169 | $239 |
| Carpenters Labor-Management Pension Plan | United Brotherhood of Carpenters Labor-Mgmt PF Trustee | CA | DB | 24,299 | $1.18B | $48,612 | $2,278 | $159 |
| Shell Provident Fund | Shell USA, Inc. | TX | DC | 24,265 | $11.5B | $474,216 | $17,371 | $426 |
| American Red Cross Savings Plan | American National Red Cross | DC | DC | 24,260 | $1.74B | $71,764 | $2,721 | $106 |
| Universal Orlando 401(k) Retirement Plan | Universal City Development Partners, Ltd. Universal Orlando | FL | DC | 24,228 | $834M | $34,420 | $1,934 | $15.14 |
| Whirlpool Tammy Employees Pension Plan | Whirlpool Corporation | MI | DB | 24,197 | $1.75B | $72,162 | — | — |
| St. Luke's Health Network Defined Contribution Plan | St. Luke's Health Network, Inc. | PA | DC | 24,019 | $423M | $17,611 | $3,553 | $27.58 |
| Exelon Corporation Retirement Program | Exelon Corporation | IL | DB | 23,999 | $6.05B | $251,966 | $23,393 | $342 |
| Club Pension Plan | Automobile Club of So California | CA | DB | 23,954 | $2.61B | $108,997 | — | $251 |
| Brand Share 401(k) Savings & Profit Sharing Plan | Brand Services, LLC | GA | DC | 23,948 | $356M | $14,867 | $689 | $26.23 |
| Vegetation and Utility Services Employees 401(k) Savings Plan | Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC | PA | DC | 23,914 | $323M | $13,523 | $400 | $18.64 |
| Carpenters & Joiners Defined Contribution Plan | Board of Trustees of the Carpenters & Joiners Defined Contribution Pla | MN | DC | 23,909 | $811M | $33,931 | $2,101 | $63.20 |
| Old Dominion 401(k) Retirement Plan | Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | NC | DC | 23,909 | $2.60B | $108,705 | $4,562 | $139 |
| Novartis Corporation Investment Savings Plan | Novartis Corporation | NJ | DC | 23,877 | $9.91B | $415,037 | $24,058 | $7.83 |
| International Paper Company Hourly Savings Plan | International Paper Company | TN | DC | 23,864 | $1.77B | $73,962 | $2,191 | $56.71 |
| The Fidelity National Financial Group 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan | Fidelity National Financial, Inc. | FL | DC | 23,858 | $3.34B | $139,978 | $2,713 | $51.25 |
| Caterpillar Inc. Non-Contributory Pension Plan | Caterpillar Inc. | TX | DB | 23,789 | $2.37B | $99,674 | — | $68.44 |
| Consumers Energy Company Employees' Savings Plan | Consumers Energy Company | MI | DC | 23,741 | $2.85B | $120,226 | $11,270 | $14.33 |
| Morgan Stanley Employees Retirement Plan | Morgan Stanley Domestic Holdings, LLC | NY | DB | 23,726 | $2.03B | $85,559 | $25,316 | $166 |
| N. Atlantic States Carp. Guaranteed Annuity Fund | Bot of the North Atlantic States Carpenters Guaranteed Annuity Fund | MA | DB | 23,724 | $3.70B | $155,899 | $10,787 | $252 |
| Brown Health 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan | Lifespan Corporation, DBA Brown University Health | RI | DC | 23,702 | $1.25B | $52,581 | $2,965 | $36.14 |
| Precision Castparts Corp. 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan | Precision Castparts Corp. | OR | DC | 23,698 | $2.48B | $104,796 | $3,399 | $44.42 |
| McLaren Employees' 403(b) Retirement Plan | McLaren Health Care Corp. | MI | DC | 23,674 | $2.12B | $89,447 | $2,905 | $55.72 |
| Operating Engineers Local 12 Defined Contribution Trust | Board of Trustees, Operating Engineers Local 12 | CA | DC | 23,643 | $518M | $21,907 | $5,331 | $33.35 |
By state
Questions and answers
How many retirement plans are there with 5,000 to 24,999 participants?
3,267 plans with 100 or more participants filed Form 5500 for plan year 2024, out of 3,267 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 5,000 to 24,999 participants?
The median defined contribution plan reported $64,416 in net assets per participant (middle half of plans: $23,492 to $125,215); 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 5,000 to 24,999 participants?
The median defined contribution plan received $2,413 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 5,000 to 24,999 participants?
Among defined contribution plans that report any Schedule C compensation, the median was $53.38 per participant and 0.09% 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.