1,000–4,999 participants · 403(b) Retirement Plan Benchmarks

Plan-size benchmark across all industries and states. Sourced from 566 Form 5500 filings for plan year 2024.

Headline numbers (2024)

Plans: 566
Total assets: $152.9B
Total participants: —
Median expense ratio: 0.11%
Median employer contribution per active participant: $2,121
Median account balance: $79,977
3-year asset growth (2022–2024): +22.5%

Expense ratio distribution

25th percentile: 0.05%
Median: 0.11%
75th percentile: 0.24%

Where the fees go (average mix)

Admin / Recordkeeping: 38.6%
Investment Management: 15.1%
Audit: 2.4%
Legal: 0.3%

Employer contribution generosity

Median per active participant: $2,121
Plans with $0 employer match: 144 (25.4%)

3-year trend

Year	Plans	Assets	Participants	Median fee	Median employer $
2022	511	$124.9B	—	0.12%	$1,996
2023	576	$146.6B	—	0.11%	$1,925
2024	566	$152.9B	—	0.11%	$2,121

Methodology

All metrics are calculated from U.S. Department of Labor Form 5500 annual filings. The slice "1,000–4,999 participants · 403(b)" includes 566 plans for plan year 2024. Medians use percentile_cont over reported values; zero/null values are excluded from rate-style metrics.

Citation: PlanProvider.Pro, Form 5500 Benchmarks 2024. Free for editorial use with attribution + link to https://planprovider.pro/benchmarks/cohort/s_1000_4999-403b.