Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc. 401(k) Review & Grade
Tri-State 401k Plan and Trust
Denver, COUtilities1,154 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$4,901Employer $ per active participant
$13,294Employee $ saved per active participant
0.04%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$279.0MNet plan assets, end of year
$195,220Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity16.2 / 5032th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost22.2 / 2589th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving10.5 / 1570th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-10 pts1 issue reported on the filing
Total score42 / 100 · Grade D
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Utilities plans with 500–2,499 active participants (75 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 32th |
| Lower admin cost | 89th |
| Employee saving | 70th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 76% |
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Red flags from the filing
Benefits not paid when due: the plan reported failing to pay some benefits on time.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association put in about $4,901 per active participant, below the typical peer ($6,264). Any match is still an instant return, so contribute enough to get all of it.
- 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.
- 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 | $5,655,799 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $15,341,583 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $2,092,581 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $120,270 |
| Contract administrator fees | $900 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $111,171 |
| Benefits paid out | $34,820,460 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $258.0M / $279.0M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 1,127 / 1,181 |
| Participants with account balances | 1,429 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Cliftonlarsonallen LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Strategic Advisors, Inc. | $111,171 reported compensation |
| Fidelity Investments Institutional | $9,866 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251013171230NAL0003683762001, received 2025-10-13, EIN 84-0464189, plan #003, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.