Ascend Partner Services, LLC 401(k) Review & Grade
Ascend Partner Services, LLC 401(k) Plan
Arlington, VAProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services642 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$5,529Employer $ per active participant
$11,524Employee $ saved per active participant
0.28%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$53.1MNet plan assets, end of year
$57,398Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity38.5 / 5077th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost10.6 / 2543th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving10.6 / 1571th 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 score50 / 100 · Grade C
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services plans with 500–2,499 active participants (1,469 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 77th |
| Lower admin cost | 43th |
| Employee saving | 71th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 48% |
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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 ($1,413,878 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
- Ascend Partner Services put in about $5,529 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($3,082). 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 | $3,549,877 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $7,398,240 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $28,513,171 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $92,230 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $92,230 |
| Benefits paid out | $633,611 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $12.0M / $53.1M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 328 / 956 |
| Participants with account balances | 925 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | RSM US LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Empower Annuity Insurance Company O | $54,477 reported compensation |
| Alliant Insurance Services | $51,265 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251015192628NAL0002919779001, received 2025-10-15, EIN 92-1373067, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.