Ameresco, Inc. 401(k) Review & Grade
Ameresco, Inc. 401(k) Plan
Framingham, MAProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services1,280 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$6,369Employer $ per active participant
$11,833Employee $ saved per active participant
0.13%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$251.6MNet plan assets, end of year
$145,838Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity40.5 / 5081th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost16.8 / 2567th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving10.9 / 1573th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-20 pts2 issues reported on the filing
Total score51 / 100 · Grade C
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services plans with 500–2,499 active participants (1,469 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 81th |
| Lower admin cost | 67th |
| Employee saving | 73th |
| 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 ($1,528,269 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.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Ameresco put in about $6,369 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($3,082). 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 | $8,149,756 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $15,140,184 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $2,667,180 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $304,866 |
| Contract administrator fees | $300 |
| Other admin expenses | $131,625 |
| Benefits paid out | $25,572,182 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $218.4M / $251.6M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 1,241 / 1,318 |
| Participants with account balances | 1,725 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Baker Tilly US, LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Fidelity Investments Institutional | $146,300 reported compensation |
| Faircourt Partners LLC | $131,625 reported compensation |
| Baker Tilly US, LLP | $30,725 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251009070747NAL0006225073001, received 2025-10-09, EIN 04-3512838, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.