Environmental Science Associates 401(k) Review & Grade
Environmental Science Associates 401k Plan
San Francisco, CAProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services698 active participantsPlan year 2024✓ Auto-enroll
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$1,322Employer $ per active participant
$9,071Employee $ saved per active participant
0.26%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$85.7MNet plan assets, end of year
$94,473Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity12.1 / 5024th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost11.4 / 2546th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving7.5 / 1550th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features10 / 10Auto-enrollment, Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-10 pts1 issue reported on the filing
Total score31 / 100 · Grade D
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services plans with 500–2,499 active participants (1,469 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 24th |
| Lower admin cost | 46th |
| Employee saving | 50th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 48% |
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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 ($269,010 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
- Environmental Science Associates put in about $1,322 per active participant, below the typical peer ($3,082). 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.
- Fund expense ratios aren't in the filing. Look them up in your 404(a)(5) fee disclosure and favor low-cost index or target-date funds.
- The plan auto-enrolls employees. Check your default contribution rate. Defaults are often lower than what it takes to get the full match.
- 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 | $922,285 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $6,327,339 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $1,829,666 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $208,436 |
| Contract administrator fees | $116,670 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $91,766 |
| Benefits paid out | $6,284,340 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $74.0M / $85.7M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 676 / 719 |
| Participants with account balances | 907 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Yes |
| Auditor | Cbiz Cpas P.C. |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Newport Group, Inc. | $116,669 reported compensation |
| Two West Capital Advisors | $91,766 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251002105221NAL0000346481001, received 2025-10-02, EIN 94-1698350, plan #002, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.