Synopsys, Inc. 401(k) Review & Grade
Synopsys 401(k) Plan
Sunnyvale, CAProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services4,466 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$3,171Employer $ per active participant
$25,652Employee $ saved per active participant
0.03%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$2.7BNet plan assets, end of year
$372,130Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity26.5 / 5053th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost23.0 / 2592th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving15.0 / 15100th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-23 pts3 issues reported on the filing
Total score45 / 100 · Grade C
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services plans with 2,500–9,999 active participants (231 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 53th |
| Lower admin cost | 92th |
| Employee saving | 100th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 47% |
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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 ($1,175 reported). That's money taken from paychecks that sat with the employer longer than the law allows.
Benefits not paid when due: the plan reported failing to pay some benefits on time.
Corrective distributions: the plan refunded $96,453 in contributions, which usually means it failed annual nondiscrimination testing.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Synopsys put in about $3,171 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($2,951). Contribute at least enough to collect the full match. Skipping it leaves part of your pay on the table.
- 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 | $14,160,601 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $114,549,709 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $17,591,158 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $650,022 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $343,967 |
| Benefits paid out | $203,174,529 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $2.4B / $2.7B |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 4,817 / 4,114 |
| Participants with account balances | 7,366 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Cliftonlarsonallen, LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Strategic Advisors, Inc. | $415,062 reported compensation |
| Fidelity Investments Institutional | $285,004 reported compensation |
| The Hyas Group | $102,813 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251013181128NAL0001715601001, received 2025-10-13, EIN 56-1546236, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.