1,000–4,999 participants · Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Benchmarks

Plan-size benchmark across all industries and states. Sourced from 802 Form 5500 filings for plan year 2024.

Headline numbers (2024)

Plans: 802
Total assets: $243.1B
Total participants: —
Median expense ratio: 0.19%
Median employer contribution per active participant: $3,393
Median account balance: $74,422
3-year asset growth (2022–2024): +57.3%

Expense ratio distribution

25th percentile: 0.06%
Median: 0.19%
75th percentile: 0.50%

Where the fees go (average mix)

Admin / Recordkeeping: 18.8%
Investment Management: 30.4%
Audit: 5.1%
Legal: 3.6%

Employer contribution generosity

Median per active participant: $3,393
Plans with $0 employer match: 253 (31.5%)

3-year trend

Year	Plans	Assets	Participants	Median fee	Median employer $
2022	604	$154.6B	—	0.21%	$2,979
2023	789	$219.0B	1,682	0.20%	$3,363
2024	802	$243.1B	—	0.19%	$3,393

Methodology

All metrics are calculated from U.S. Department of Labor Form 5500 annual filings. The slice "1,000–4,999 participants · Defined Contribution" includes 802 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/plan-size/s_1000_4999-dc.