Armstrong World Industries Inc 401(k) Review & Grade
Savings and Investment Plan of Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
Lancaster, PAManufacturing2,851 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$3,657Employer $ per active participant
$7,891Employee $ saved per active participant
0.01%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$526.2MNet plan assets, end of year
$137,580Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity26.8 / 5054th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost24.7 / 2599th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving10.0 / 1567th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features0 / 10No auto-enrollment or default investment reported
- Red-flag deductions-13 pts2 issues reported on the filing
Total score49 / 100 · Grade C
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Manufacturing plans with 2,500–9,999 active participants (566 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 54th |
| Lower admin cost | 99th |
| Employee saving | 67th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 70% |
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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 ($15,947 reported). That's money taken from paychecks that sat with the employer longer than the law allows.
Corrective distributions: the plan refunded $9,651 in contributions, which usually means it failed annual nondiscrimination testing.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Armstrong World Industries put in about $3,657 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($3,452). 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 | $10,425,101 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $22,497,179 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $3,018,241 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $26,990 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $149,634 |
| Other admin expenses | $63,772 |
| Benefits paid out | $53,578,544 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $473.2M / $526.2M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 2,820 / 2,882 |
| Participants with account balances | 3,825 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Morison Cogen LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Strategic Advisors, Inc. | $149,634 reported compensation |
| Captrust | $63,772 reported compensation |
| Stevens and Lee | $19,625 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251014085444NAL0002354225001, received 2025-10-14, EIN 23-0366390, plan #014, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.