Molecular Epidemiology, Inc. 401(k) Review & Grade
Molecular Epidemiology, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
Lake Forest Park, WAProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services1,357 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$714Employer $ per active participant
$2,339Employee $ saved per active participant
0.75%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$34.0MNet plan assets, end of year
$36,485Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity8.2 / 5016th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost2.8 / 2511th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving1.8 / 1512th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-13 pts2 issues reported on the filing
Total score3 / 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 | 16th |
| Lower admin cost | 11th |
| Employee saving | 12th |
| 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 ($239,705 reported). That's money taken from paychecks that sat with the employer longer than the law allows.
Corrective distributions: the plan refunded $66,957 in contributions, which usually means it failed annual nondiscrimination testing.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Molecular Epidemiology put in about $714 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 (0.75% 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 | $969,425 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $3,173,534 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $558,610 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $229,530 |
| Benefits paid out | $1,211,998 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $26.9M / $34.0M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 1,341 / 1,373 |
| Participants with account balances | 933 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Visse & Company |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Transamerica Life Insurance Company | $69,108 reported compensation |
| Assuredpartners Financial Services | $39,912 reported compensation |
| Hunnex and Shoemaker, Inc. | $33,563 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251117115856NAL0000687475001, received 2025-11-17, EIN 91-1759869, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.