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 — 0.11%
  4. Defined Contribution · 5,000+ participants — 0.15%
  5. 403(b) · 100–499 participants — 0.16%

Highest fees — top 5 plan sizes

Median plan expense ratio

  1. Defined Contribution · <100 participants — 2.01%
  2. 401(k) · <100 participants — 1.47%
  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 — $26,854
  2. Defined Benefit · 100–499 participants — $11,514
  3. Defined Benefit · 500–999 participants — $10,181
  4. Defined Benefit · 1,000–4,999 participants — $9,454
  5. Defined Benefit · 5,000+ participants — $6,103

Most participants covered

Total participants across all reporting plans

  1. 401(k) · <100 participants — 9,066,049
  2. Defined Contribution · <100 participants — 2,339,661
  3. 401(k) · 100–499 participants — 814,276
  4. Defined Benefit · <100 participants — 467,401
  5. 403(b) · <100 participants — 217,101

Full Plan size ranking

# Plan size Plans Assets Participants Median fee Median employer $ Median balance
1 401(k) · <100 participants 570,649 $895.5B 9,066,049 1.47% $2,047 $49,734
2 Defined Contribution · <100 participants 192,961 $365.2B 2,339,661 2.01% $4,000 $76,158
3 Defined Benefit · <100 participants 42,086 $154.6B 467,401 1.08% $26,854 $164,136
4 401(k) · 100–499 participants 38,891 $753.1B 814,276 0.32% $2,096 $63,627
5 403(b) · <100 participants 7,922 $23.7B 217,101 0.18% $2,227 $49,986
6 Defined Contribution · 100–499 participants 7,745 $210.2B 157,097 0.25% $3,400 $67,738
7 401(k) · 500–999 participants 6,670 $417.8B 9,448 0.25% $1,812 $56,530
8 401(k) · 1,000–4,999 participants 6,401 $1408.3B 4,547 0.17% $1,911 $60,461
9 403(b) · 100–499 participants 2,801 $77.5B 36,882 0.16% $2,155 $70,396
10 Defined Benefit · 100–499 participants 2,017 $218.8B 13,178 0.61% $11,514 $276,537
11 401(k) · 5,000+ participants 1,887 $4692.3B — 0.10% $2,082 $73,662
12 Defined Contribution · 1,000–4,999 participants 1,205 $329.0B 1,427 0.19% $2,866 $63,287
13 Defined Contribution · 500–999 participants 1,144 $97.8B 2,297 0.23% $2,614 $59,886
14 Defined Benefit · 1,000–4,999 participants 790 $640.9B — 0.52% $9,454 $275,808
15 403(b) · 500–999 participants 613 $53.3B 643 0.17% $1,956 $67,142
16 Defined Benefit · 500–999 participants 585 $172.2B — 0.58% $10,181 $261,755
17 403(b) · 1,000–4,999 participants 566 $152.9B — 0.11% $2,121 $79,977
18 Defined Benefit · 5,000+ participants 374 $1792.8B — 0.46% $6,103 $195,498
19 Defined Contribution · 5,000+ participants 355 $599.8B — 0.15% $2,278 $50,374
20 403(b) · 5,000+ participants 216 $408.9B — 0.06% $2,732 $97,636

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.