Freshfields US LLP 401(k) Review & Grade
Freshfields US LLP 401(k) Savings Plan
New York, NYProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services698 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$2,527Employer $ per active participant
$15,469Employee $ saved per active participant
0.07%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$114.8MNet plan assets, end of year
$135,349Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity21.1 / 5042th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost20.5 / 2582th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving13.5 / 1590th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-13 pts2 issues reported on the filing
Total score45 / 100 · Grade C
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services plans with 500–2,499 active participants (1,469 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 42th |
| Lower admin cost | 82th |
| Employee saving | 90th |
| 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 ($758,151 reported). That's money taken from paychecks that sat with the employer longer than the law allows.
Corrective distributions: the plan refunded $64,693 in contributions, which usually means it failed annual nondiscrimination testing.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Freshfields US LLP put in about $2,527 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 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 | $1,762,766 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $10,789,894 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $3,439,619 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $71,729 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $21,370 |
| Benefits paid out | $10,048,520 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $94.1M / $114.8M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 623 / 772 |
| Participants with account balances | 848 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Citrin Cooperman & Company LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Fidelity Investments Institutional | $50,359 reported compensation |
| Strategic Advisors, Inc. | $21,370 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251015113434NAL0004726609001, received 2025-10-15, EIN 13-4035119, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.