What is Form 5500?
Form 5500 is the annual report most U.S. employee benefit plans must file with the Department of Labor (DOL) and its Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) through the EFAST2 electronic filing system. It is one of the primary public records describing employer retirement and welfare benefit plans, including 401(k) plans.
What a Form 5500 filing reports
- The plan sponsor (employer) and its EIN.
- The plan name and plan number.
- The number of plan participants.
- Plan financial information on Schedule H (large plans) or Schedule I (small plans), including plan assets, contributions, and distributions.
- Service provider compensation on Schedule C, including direct and indirect compensation.
Form 5500 frequently asked questions
What is a Form 5500 filing?
Form 5500 is the annual return/report that most U.S. employee benefit plans must file with the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) through the EFAST2 system. It reports the plan sponsor, plan number, participant counts, plan assets, and service provider compensation.
Who has to file Form 5500?
Most pension and welfare benefit plans covered by ERISA file a Form 5500 each year. Small plans may file Form 5500-SF, and certain one-participant plans file Form 5500-EZ. Filing thresholds and exemptions are defined by the DOL and IRS.
Is Form 5500 data public?
Yes. Form 5500 filings submitted through EFAST2 are public records published by the Department of Labor. Plan5500.com organizes this public data into readable company, plan, and filing profiles.
What is an EIN and plan number?
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) identifies the plan sponsor. The plan number (e.g. 001, 002) distinguishes multiple plans under the same sponsor. Together, EIN and plan number uniquely identify a benefit plan across filing years.