California State University, Fresno Foundation 401(k) Review & Grade
California State University, Fresno Foundation 401(k) Plan
Fresno, CAEducational Services1,348 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$803Employer $ per active participant
$493Employee $ saved per active participant
0.67%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$18.8MNet plan assets, end of year
–Average balance per account (account count looks misreported)
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity15.4 / 5031th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost3.6 / 2514th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving0.4 / 153th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features0 / 10No auto-enrollment or default investment reported
- Red-flag deductions-10 pts1 issue reported on the filing
Total score9 / 100 · Grade F
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Educational Services plans with 500–2,499 active participants (144 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 31th |
| Lower admin cost | 14th |
| Employee saving | 3th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 37% |
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Red flags from the filing
Late deposits: the filing says some employee contributions were not sent to the plan on time ($48,289 reported). That's money taken from paychecks that sat with the employer longer than the law allows.
What to do if you're in this plan
- California State University, Fresno Foundation put in about $803 per active participant, below the typical peer ($1,225). Any match is still an instant return, so contribute enough to get all of it.
- The filing shows total dollars, not the match formula. Ask HR for the Summary Plan Description so you know the exact match and vesting schedule.
- Direct plan expenses (0.67% of assets) are well above similar-size plans (0.23%). Check your annual fee disclosure, choose low-cost index funds if you can, and think about whether savings beyond the match belong in an IRA.
- The plan reported late deposits of employee contributions. Compare your pay stubs with your account statements, and contact the plan administrator if money shows up late.
- Changing jobs? You can usually leave the money in the plan, move it to your new employer's plan, or roll it into an IRA. Don't cash out: you'd owe taxes and possibly a 10% penalty.
The raw numbers from the filing
| Employer contributions | $1,081,509 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $664,650 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $0 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $118,773 |
| Contract administrator fees | $118,773 |
| Benefits paid out | $1,923,811 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $16.8M / $18.8M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 1,372 / 1,323 |
| Participants with account balances | 511 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Moore Grider & Company LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Empower Annuity Insurance Co of Ame | $109,183 reported compensation |
| LPL Financial, LLC | $42,582 reported compensation |
| Nexus Administrators, Inc. | $31,705 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20260413124518NAL0018060352001, received 2026-04-13, EIN 94-6003272, plan #001, plan year 2024-07-01 to 2025-06-30. Verify at efast.dol.gov.