United Utility Services, LLC 401(k) Review & Grade
United Utility Services 401(k) Plan
Charlotte, NCConstruction1,447 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$2,378Employer $ per active participant
$4,012Employee $ saved per active participant
0.70%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$31.3MNet plan assets, end of year
$34,560Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity32.4 / 5065th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost3.3 / 2513th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving7.6 / 1551th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
- Red-flag deductions-13 pts2 issues reported on the filing
Total score33 / 100 · Grade D
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Construction plans with 500–2,499 active participants (498 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 65th |
| Lower admin cost | 13th |
| Employee saving | 51th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 44% |
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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 ($42,262 reported). That's money taken from paychecks that sat with the employer longer than the law allows.
Corrective distributions: the plan refunded $45,795 in contributions, which usually means it failed annual nondiscrimination testing.
What to do if you're in this plan
- United Utility Services put in about $2,378 per active participant, more than the typical peer ($1,672). 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.
- Direct plan expenses (0.70% of assets) are well above similar-size plans (0.23%). Check your annual fee disclosure, choose low-cost index funds if you can, and think about whether savings beyond the match belong in an IRA.
- 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 | $3,440,771 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $5,805,937 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $901,337 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $197,110 |
| Contract administrator fees | $197,110 |
| Benefits paid out | $6,917,734 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $25.3M / $31.3M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 1,484 / 1,410 |
| Participants with account balances | 906 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Eisneramper, LLP |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith | $103,703 reported compensation |
| Empower Annuity Insurance Company | $48,560 reported compensation |
| The Haslauer Group, Inc. | $46,610 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251015082558NAL0002021299001, received 2025-10-15, EIN 82-3772718, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.