Montrose Environmental Group, Inc. 401(k) Review & Grade
Montrose Environmental Group 401(k) Plan
Irvine, CAProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services2,103 active participantsPlan year 2024✓ Auto-enroll
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$3,480Employer $ per active participant
$7,944Employee $ saved per active participant
0.21%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$191.1MNet plan assets, end of year
$67,487Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity28.7 / 5057th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost13.2 / 2553th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving6.1 / 1541th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features10 / 10Auto-enrollment, Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-10 pts1 issue reported on the filing
Total score48 / 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 | 57th |
| Lower admin cost | 53th |
| Employee saving | 41th |
| 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 ($1,222,332 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
- Montrose Environmental Group put in about $3,480 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 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 | $7,318,229 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $16,705,786 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $5,836,794 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $362,894 |
| Contract administrator fees | $195,940 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $132,954 |
| Benefits paid out | $16,721,910 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $156.0M / $191.1M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 2,052 / 2,154 |
| Participants with account balances | 2,832 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Yes |
| Auditor | Wright Ford Young & Co. |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| John Hancock Retirement Plan Svcs | $205,197 reported compensation |
| Global Retirement Partners, LLC | $123,697 reported compensation |
| Wright, Ford, Young & Co | $34,000 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251010180454NAL0004846771001, received 2025-10-10, EIN 46-4195044, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.