Cognizant Technology Solutions 401(k) Review & Grade
Cognizant Technology Solutions 401(k) Savings Plan
Teaneck, NJProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services37,416 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$3,042Employer $ per active participant
$7,119Employee $ saved per active participant
0.09%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$3.0BNet plan assets, end of year
$67,289Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity27.5 / 5055th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost11.7 / 2547th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving6.3 / 1542th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-13 pts2 issues reported on the filing
Total score36 / 100 · Grade D
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services plans with 10,000+ active participants (70 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 55th |
| Lower admin cost | 47th |
| Employee saving | 42th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 39% |
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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 ($21,641 reported). That's money taken from paychecks that sat with the employer longer than the law allows.
Corrective distributions: the plan refunded $67,016 in contributions, which usually means it failed annual nondiscrimination testing.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Cognizant Technology Solutions put in about $3,042 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($2,932). 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 | $113,833,589 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $266,362,699 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $31,599,739 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $2,714,383 |
| Contract administrator fees | $32,654 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $82,500 |
| Other admin expenses | $370,059 |
| Benefits paid out | $490,339,331 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $2.7B / $3.0B |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 35,909 / 38,923 |
| Participants with account balances | 45,233 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Baker Tilly US, LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Empower Annuity Insurance Company O | $1,433,060 reported compensation |
| Voya Institutional Plan Services, L | $548,833 reported compensation |
| Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP | $362,490 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251015091306NAL0008793570001, received 2025-10-15, EIN 13-3924155, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.