Meriplex Communications, LTD 401(k) Review & Grade
Meriplex 401(k) Plan
Houston, TXProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services620 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$2,648Employer $ per active participant
$5,890Employee $ saved per active participant
0.35%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$26.1MNet plan assets, end of year
$52,627Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity21.8 / 5044th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost8.7 / 2535th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving4.4 / 1529th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-10 pts1 issue reported on the filing
Total score28 / 100 · Grade F
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services plans with 500–2,499 active participants (1,469 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 44th |
| Lower admin cost | 35th |
| Employee saving | 29th |
| 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 ($853,124 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
- Meriplex Communications put in about $2,648 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.
- Direct plan expenses (0.35% 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 | $1,640,501 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $3,648,832 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $813,890 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $80,663 |
| Contract administrator fees | $4,954 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $8,411 |
| Benefits paid out | $2,493,108 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $19.5M / $26.1M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 620 / 619 |
| Participants with account balances | 495 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Forvis Mazars, LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Park Avenue Securities | $79,015 reported compensation |
| Fidelity Investments Institutional | $72,396 reported compensation |
| Leafhouse | $8,411 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251015121153NAL0002268403001, received 2025-10-15, EIN 61-1904644, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.