The United States Pharmacopeial Convention 401(k) Review & Grade
The United States Pharmacopeial Convention 401(k) Savings Plan
Rockville, MDEducational Services880 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$15,194Employer $ per active participant
$13,623Employee $ saved per active participant
0.06%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$344.2MNet plan assets, end of year
$290,957Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity50.0 / 50100th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost20.9 / 2584th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving14.8 / 1599th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-13 pts2 issues reported on the filing
Total score76 / 100 · Grade A
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Educational Services plans with 500–2,499 active participants (144 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 100th |
| Lower admin cost | 84th |
| Employee saving | 99th |
| 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 ($13,895 reported). That's money taken from paychecks that sat with the employer longer than the law allows.
Corrective distributions: the plan refunded $440 in contributions, which usually means it failed annual nondiscrimination testing.
What to do if you're in this plan
- United States Pharmacopeial Convention put in about $15,194 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 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 | $13,377,979 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $11,994,695 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $1,533,438 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $201,233 |
| Benefits paid out | $19,229,315 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $297.5M / $344.2M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 890 / 871 |
| Participants with account balances | 1,183 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Aprio LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Transamerica Retirement Solutions | $201,233 reported compensation |
| National Financial Services | $0 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251009141339NAL0007120913010, received 2025-10-09, EIN 13-1656692, plan #002, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.