Berkeley Research Group, LLC 401(k) Review & Grade
BRG 401(k) Plan
Washington, DCProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services1,427 active participantsPlan year 2024✓ Auto-enroll
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$9,571Employer $ per active participant
$15,342Employee $ saved per active participant
0.08%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$303.3MNet plan assets, end of year
$153,330Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity45.0 / 5090th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost19.7 / 2579th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving13.4 / 1589th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features10 / 10Auto-enrollment, Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-13 pts2 issues reported on the filing
Total score75 / 100 · Grade A
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services plans with 500–2,499 active participants (1,469 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 90th |
| Lower admin cost | 79th |
| Employee saving | 89th |
| 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 ($25,885 reported). That's money taken from paychecks that sat with the employer longer than the law allows.
Corrective distributions: the plan refunded $20,644 in contributions, which usually means it failed annual nondiscrimination testing.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Berkeley Research Group put in about $9,571 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 auto-enrolls employees. Check your default contribution rate. Defaults are often lower than what it takes to get the full match.
- 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 | $13,657,994 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $21,893,099 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $6,191,588 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $226,227 |
| Benefits paid out | $32,573,727 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $257.9M / $303.3M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 1,384 / 1,470 |
| Participants with account balances | 1,978 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Yes |
| Auditor | Comyns,smith,mccleary & Deaver LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Empower Annuity Insurance Company O | $226,227 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20250904133306NAL0009757875001, received 2025-09-04, EIN 27-1451273, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.