Meow Wolf, Inc. 401(k) Review & Grade
Meow Wolf 401(k) Plan
Santa Fe, NMArts, Entertainment & Recreation927 active participantsPlan year 2024✓ Auto-enroll
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$1,953Employer $ per active participant
$3,891Employee $ saved per active participant
1.23%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$16.6MNet plan assets, end of year
$17,315Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity39.7 / 5079th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost1.0 / 254th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving11.8 / 1579th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features10 / 10Auto-enrollment, Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-10 pts1 issue reported on the filing
Total score53 / 100 · Grade C
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation plans with 500–2,499 active participants (225 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 79th |
| Lower admin cost | 4th |
| Employee saving | 79th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 38% |
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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 ($435 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
- Meow Wolf put in about $1,953 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($995). 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.
- Direct plan expenses (1.23% of assets) are well above similar-size plans (0.23%). Check your annual fee disclosure, choose low-cost index funds if you can, and think about whether savings beyond the match belong in an IRA.
- 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 | $1,810,401 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $3,607,301 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $321,167 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $170,054 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $42,913 |
| Other admin expenses | $13,650 |
| Benefits paid out | $1,997,336 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $11.1M / $16.6M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 1,053 / 801 |
| Participants with account balances | 957 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Yes |
| Auditor | Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Empower Annuity Insurance Company O | $113,491 reported compensation |
| Global Retirement Partners LLC | $37,220 reported compensation |
| Frank Rimerman & Co LLP | $13,650 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20250930093128NAL0014653968001, received 2025-09-30, EIN 47-2268037, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.