Ascend Learning LLC 401(k) Review & Grade
Ascend Learning LLC 401(k) Plan
Leawood, KSInformation1,605 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$2,882Employer $ per active participant
$9,276Employee $ saved per active participant
0.11%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$183.9MNet plan assets, end of year
$86,584Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity25.6 / 5051th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost17.7 / 2571th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving8.0 / 1553th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
Total score54 / 100 · Grade C
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Information plans with 500–2,499 active participants (310 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 51th |
| Lower admin cost | 71th |
| Employee saving | 53th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 59% |
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Red flags from the filing
No red flags were reported on this filing's compliance questions.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Ascend Learning put in about $2,882 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($2,829). 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.
- 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 | $4,624,835 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $14,887,866 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $2,280,477 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $192,664 |
| Contract administrator fees | $300 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $67,317 |
| Other admin expenses | $45,000 |
| Benefits paid out | $16,972,173 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $155.8M / $183.9M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 1,541 / 1,669 |
| Participants with account balances | 2,124 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Armanino LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Fidelity Investments Institutional | $80,347 reported compensation |
| Strategic Advisors, Inc. | $67,317 reported compensation |
| Gallagher Benefit Serviecs, Inc. | $45,000 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20250926131955NAL0010904736001, received 2025-09-26, EIN 26-2602465, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.