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.

20 plan sizes ranked from 2024 Form 5500 filings.

Lowest fees — top 5 plan sizes

Median plan expense ratio

  1. 403(b) · 5,000+ participants — 0.06%
  2. 401(k) · 5,000+ participants — 0.10%
  3. 403(b) · 1,000–4,999 participants — 0.12%
  4. 403(b) · 100–499 participants — 0.16%
  5. 403(b) · 500–999 participants — 0.17%

Highest fees — top 5 plan sizes

Median plan expense ratio

  1. Defined Contribution · <100 participants — 2.25%
  2. 401(k) · <100 participants — 1.51%
  3. Defined Benefit · <100 participants — 1.08%
  4. Defined Benefit · 100–499 participants — 0.61%
  5. Defined Benefit · 500–999 participants — 0.58%

Most generous employers

Median employer contribution per active participant

  1. Defined Benefit · <100 participants — $26,849
  2. Defined Benefit · 100–499 participants — $11,439
  3. Defined Benefit · 500–999 participants — $10,181
  4. Defined Benefit · 1,000–4,999 participants — $9,415
  5. Defined Contribution · <100 participants — $6,466

Most participants covered

Total participants across all reporting plans

  1. 401(k) · <100 participants — 10,687,999
  2. 401(k) · 100–499 participants — 918,156
  3. Defined Contribution · <100 participants — 649,205
  4. Defined Benefit · <100 participants — 467,437
  5. 403(b) · <100 participants — 285,577

Full Plan size ranking

# Plan size Plans Assets Participants Median fee Median employer $ Median balance
1 401(k) · <100 participants 695,554 $1081.3B 10,687,999 1.51% $2,189 $50,767
2 Defined Contribution · <100 participants 65,240 $175.5B 649,205 2.25% $6,466 $139,075
3 401(k) · 100–499 participants 42,289 $826.2B 918,156 0.32% $2,150 $63,621
4 Defined Benefit · <100 participants 42,091 $154.6B 467,437 1.08% $26,849 $164,125
5 403(b) · <100 participants 10,734 $27.7B 285,577 0.20% $2,151 $44,870
6 401(k) · 500–999 participants 7,060 $442.7B 10,343 0.25% $1,821 $56,027
7 401(k) · 1,000–4,999 participants 6,751 $1489.0B 5,974 0.17% $1,924 $59,675
8 Defined Contribution · 100–499 participants 3,822 $131.2B 43,675 0.23% $4,191 $82,285
9 403(b) · 100–499 participants 3,325 $83.5B 46,424 0.16% $2,043 $60,543
10 Defined Benefit · 100–499 participants 2,018 $218.8B 13,178 0.61% $11,439 $276,517
11 401(k) · 5,000+ participants 1,975 $4812.3B — 0.10% $2,051 $70,679
12 Defined Contribution · 1,000–4,999 participants 802 $243.1B — 0.19% $3,393 $74,422
13 Defined Benefit · 1,000–4,999 participants 789 $640.6B — 0.52% $9,415 $276,060
14 403(b) · 500–999 participants 699 $56.2B 643 0.17% $1,768 $57,425
15 Defined Contribution · 500–999 participants 668 $69.9B 1,402 0.22% $3,485 $77,510
16 403(b) · 1,000–4,999 participants 620 $158.5B — 0.12% $2,032 $75,529
17 Defined Benefit · 500–999 participants 585 $172.2B — 0.58% $10,181 $261,755
18 Defined Benefit · 5,000+ participants 374 $1792.8B — 0.46% $6,103 $195,498
19 Defined Contribution · 5,000+ participants 251 $458.7B — 0.17% $2,986 $55,297
20 403(b) · 5,000+ participants 232 $430.0B — 0.06% $2,693 $96,559

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.