W. W. Grainger, Inc. 401(k) Review & Grade
W. W. Grainger, Inc. 401k Plan
Lake Forest, ILWholesale Trade688 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$6,826Employer $ per active participant
$8,655Employee $ saved per active participant
0.06%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$67.4MNet plan assets, end of year
$65,349Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity47.2 / 5094th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost21.0 / 2584th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving13.4 / 1589th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features0 / 10No auto-enrollment or default investment reported
- Red-flag deductions-10 pts1 issue reported on the filing
Total score72 / 100 · Grade B
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Wholesale Trade plans with 500–2,499 active participants (603 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 94th |
| Lower admin cost | 84th |
| Employee saving | 89th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 53% |
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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 ($206,336 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
- W. W. Grainger put in about $6,826 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($1,792). 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 | $4,699,672 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $5,958,892 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $1,822,762 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $36,532 |
| Other admin expenses | $36,532 |
| Benefits paid out | $5,021,315 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $52.1M / $67.4M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 675 / 702 |
| Participants with account balances | 1,031 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Ernst & Young |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| The Vanguard Group, Inc. | $39,859 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20250926115124NAL0010098800001, received 2025-09-26, EIN 36-1150280, plan #002, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.