Van Andel Research Institute 401(k) Review & Grade
Van Andel Institute Retirement Savings Plan
Grand Rapids, MIProfessional, Scientific & Technical Services503 active participantsPlan year 2024
Estimate from the plan's Form 5500 filing · How we grade
$9,396Employer $ per active participant
$7,756Employee $ saved per active participant
0.19%Direct admin cost, % of plan assets
$115.3MNet plan assets, end of year
$165,679Average balance per account
Score breakdown
- Employer generosity44.7 / 5089th percentile for employer $ per participant
- Low cost13.9 / 2556th percentile for low admin cost vs. same-size plans
- Employee saving6.0 / 1540th percentile for employee $ per participant
- Plan features3 / 10Default investment
Total score68 / 100 · Grade B
This plan vs. peers
Peers: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services plans with 500–2,499 active participants (1,469 plans).
| Measure | Percentile |
|---|---|
| Employer $ per participant | 89th |
| Lower admin cost | 56th |
| Employee saving | 40th |
| Peers that auto-enroll | 48% |
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Red flags from the filing
No red flags were reported on this filing's compliance questions.
What to do if you're in this plan
- Van Andel Research Institute put in about $9,396 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.
- 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 | $4,725,980 |
| Participant (employee) contributions | $3,901,177 |
| Other contributions (incl. rollovers in) | $895,778 |
| Administrative expenses paid from the plan | $204,250 |
| Investment advisory & management fees | $88,476 |
| Benefits paid out | $7,483,463 |
| Net assets, start / end of year | $99.0M / $115.3M |
| Active participants, start / end of year | 500 / 506 |
| Participants with account balances | 696 |
| Auto-enrollment (feature code 2S) | Not reported |
| Auditor | Plante & Moran PLLC |
Largest service providers (Schedule C)
| Empower Annuity Insurance Company O | $115,774 reported compensation |
| Midwest Capital Advisors LLC | $51,013 reported compensation |
| Empower Advisory Group, LLC | $37,463 reported compensation |
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 filing, acknowledgment ID 20251010121240NAL0013078256001, received 2025-10-10, EIN 52-2000823, plan #001, plan year 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31. Verify at efast.dol.gov.