The Toledo Zoological Society 401(k) Review & Grade
The Toledo Zoological Society Employees Retirement Plan
Toledo, OHArts, Entertainment & Recreation680 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$1,136Employer $ per active participant
$1,108Employee $ saved per active participant
0.39%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$25.5MNet plan assets, end of year
$55,852Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity27.0 / 5054th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost7.8 / 2531th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving3.8 / 1525th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-10 pts1 issue reported on the filing
Total score32 / 100 · Grade D
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation plans with 500–2,499 active participants (225 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 54th |
| Lower admin cost | 31th |
| Employee saving | 25th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 38% |
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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 ($103,342 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
- Toledo Zoological Society put in about $1,136 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($995). 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.
- Direct plan expenses (0.39% 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 | $773,098 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $753,811 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $7,891 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $97,268 |
| Contract administrator fees | $97,268 |
| Benefits paid out | $3,087,358 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $23.9M / $25.5M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 867 / 494 |
| Participants with account balances | 456 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Rehmann Robson LLC |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Pension Innovations & Consulting LL | $10,922 reported compensation |
| Hileman Assoicates | $5,000 reported compensation |
| Voya Retirement Ins & Annuity C | $12 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251015163117NAL0010315570001, received 2025-10-15, EIN 34-4440256, plan #004, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.