Retirement Plan Benchmarks by Plan Size

Ranking every plan-size and plan-type segment by 401(k) and DC plan fees, employer contributions, participation, and average account balance — sourced from DOL Form 5500 filings.

10 plan sizes ranked from 2024 Form 5500 filings.

Lowest fees — top 5 plan sizes

Median plan expense ratio

  1. 403(b) · 5,000+ participants — 0.02%
  2. 401(k) · 5,000+ participants — 0.04%
  3. 403(b) · 1,000–4,999 participants — 0.06%
  4. 401(k) · 1,000–4,999 participants — 0.09%
  5. 403(b) · <100 participants — 0.12%

Highest fees — top 5 plan sizes

Median plan expense ratio

  1. 401(k) · <100 participants — 0.26%
  2. 401(k) · 100–499 participants — 0.23%
  3. 403(b) · 100–499 participants — 0.17%
  4. 401(k) · 500–999 participants — 0.15%
  5. 403(b) · 500–999 participants — 0.14%

Most generous employers

Median employer contribution per active participant

  1. 403(b) · 5,000+ participants — $2,573
  2. 403(b) · <100 participants — $2,378
  3. 401(k) · <100 participants — $2,316
  4. 401(k) · 5,000+ participants — $2,040
  5. 401(k) · 1,000–4,999 participants — $1,917

Most participants covered

Total participants across all reporting plans

  1. 401(k) · 5,000+ participants — 42,842,546
  2. 401(k) · 1,000–4,999 participants — 14,275,725
  3. 401(k) · <100 participants — 11,538,418
  4. 401(k) · 100–499 participants — 10,182,947
  5. 401(k) · 500–999 participants — 5,086,197

Full Plan size ranking

# Plan size Plans Assets Participants Median fee Median employer $ Median balance
1 401(k) · <100 participants 651,557 $1117.3B 11,538,418 0.26% $2,316 $55,545
2 401(k) · 100–499 participants 49,639 $826.6B 10,182,947 0.23% $1,672 $47,128
3 403(b) · <100 participants 9,432 $28.2B 263,248 0.12% $2,378 $63,409
4 401(k) · 500–999 participants 7,302 $445.6B 5,086,197 0.15% $1,752 $52,585
5 401(k) · 1,000–4,999 participants 6,833 $1494.4B 14,275,725 0.09% $1,917 $58,190
6 403(b) · 100–499 participants 3,172 $75.9B 717,962 0.17% $1,670 $51,241
7 401(k) · 5,000+ participants 1,952 $4839.3B 42,842,546 0.04% $2,040 $69,019
8 403(b) · 500–999 participants 677 $55.9B 468,058 0.14% $1,646 $57,425
9 403(b) · 1,000–4,999 participants 643 $163.7B 1,364,265 0.06% $1,893 $75,338
10 403(b) · 5,000+ participants 239 $452.1B 3,629,278 0.02% $2,573 $97,884

Source: U.S. Department of Labor — Form 5500 filings (2024). Medians use percentile_cont over reported values. Free for editorial use with attribution to PlanProvider.Pro.