Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C. 401(k) Review & Grade
Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C. 401(k) Plan
Milwaukee, WIManufacturing1,748 active participantsPlan year 2024✓ Auto-enroll
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$2,766Employer $ per active participant
$5,084Employee $ saved per active participant
0.19%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$157.9MNet plan assets, end of year
$79,795Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity29.7 / 5059th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost14.1 / 2556th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving7.9 / 1552th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features10 / 10Auto-enrollment, Default investment
Total score62 / 100 · Grade B
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Manufacturing plans with 500–2,499 active participants (2,376 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 59th |
| Lower admin cost | 56th |
| Employee saving | 52th |
| 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
- Douglas Dynamics put in about $2,766 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($2,320). 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.
- 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 | $4,835,426 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $8,886,585 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $450,232 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $283,285 |
| Contract administrator fees | $283,285 |
| Benefits paid out | $20,299,044 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $145.7M / $157.9M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 1,867 / 1,629 |
| Participants with account balances | 1,979 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Yes |
| Auditor | Wipfli, LLP |
| Employer stock held by plan | $1,882,345 |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Principal Life Insurance Company | $283,316 reported compensation |
| Specialized Retirement Consultants | $67,000 reported compensation |
| Morningstar Investment Management L | $0 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20250625131246NAL0004730067001, received 2025-06-25, EIN 42-1623692, plan #006, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.