The Davey Tree Expert Company 401(k) Review & Grade
The Davey 401ksop and Esop
Kent, OHAdministrative, Support & Staffing Services7,628 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$1,522Employer $ per active participant
$2,933Employee $ saved per active participant
0.10%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$448.4MNet plan assets, end of year
$87,086Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity39.5 / 5079th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost14.3 / 2557th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving10.5 / 1570th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-10 pts1 issue reported on the filing
Total score57 / 100 · Grade C
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Administrative, Support & Staffing Services plans with 2,500–9,999 active participants (125 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 79th |
| Lower admin cost | 57th |
| Employee saving | 70th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 22% |
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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 ($1,200 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
- Davey Tree Expert put in about $1,522 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($342). 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 | $11,606,751 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $22,373,945 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $5,610,420 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $432,052 |
| Contract administrator fees | $432,052 |
| Benefits paid out | $42,184,051 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $402.6M / $448.4M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 7,332 / 7,923 |
| Participants with account balances | 5,149 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Deloitte & Touche LLP |
| Employer stock held by plan | $193,532,869 |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Argent Trust Company | $235,237 reported compensation |
| Principal Life Insurance Company | $152,549 reported compensation |
| Mpi | $40,505 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20250909131934NAL0033715120001, received 2025-09-09, EIN 34-0176110, plan #004, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.