Gemological Institute of America, Inc 401(k) Review & Grade
The Gemological Institute of America, Inc. 401(k) Plan
Carlsbad, CAEducational Services1,038 active participantsPlan year 2024✓ Auto-enroll
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$7,407Employer $ per active participant
$9,445Employee $ saved per active participant
0.04%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$303.9MNet plan assets, end of year
$188,987Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity49.0 / 5098th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost22.2 / 2589th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving14.4 / 1596th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features10 / 10Auto-enrollment, Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-10 pts1 issue reported on the filing
Total score86 / 100 · Grade A
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Educational Services plans with 500–2,499 active participants (144 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 98th |
| Lower admin cost | 89th |
| Employee saving | 96th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 37% |
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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 ($574 reported). That's money taken from paychecks that sat with the employer longer than the law allows.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Gemological Institute of America put in about $7,407 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($1,225). 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 | $7,684,457 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $9,799,103 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $761,282 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $130,001 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $65,000 |
| Other admin expenses | $300 |
| Benefits paid out | $24,429,538 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $274.3M / $303.9M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 1,102 / 973 |
| Participants with account balances | 1,608 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Yes |
| Auditor | Baker Tilly US, LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| T Rowe Price RPS Inc | $68,595 reported compensation |
| NFP Retirement Inc/advisor Services | $65,000 reported compensation |
| JGD & Associates, LLP | $15,500 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251009160956NAL0003747555001, received 2025-10-09, EIN 95-3797687, plan #003, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.