Bae Systems 401(k) Plan

Falls Church, Virginia

Bae Systems 401K plan details: employer match info, participant login access, withdrawal options, and full plan review. 2026 data with contacts,.

401(k) QualifiedEmployer MatchMoney PurchaseTop EmployerVATransportation Equipment
Overall Rating
4.7/5
Editorial Score
Active Participants
36,790
Total Plan Assets
$10.6B
▲ 12.9% YoY
Avg. Balance per Participant
$289K
Number of Plans
1

Plan Analysis

Bae Systems, in the Transportation Equipment sector and headquartered in Virginia, manages a 401(k) program with $10.6B in total plan assets across 36,790 active participants, established 37 years ago. Plan assets grew 12.9% year-over-year, reflecting solid investment returns and contributions. The average participant balance of $289K is substantially higher than the national median of approximately $35,000, suggesting a mature plan with long-tenured employees. The employer contributed an average of $5,697 per active participant, equivalent to 23% of the 2026 employee deferral limit. Participants contributed an average of $10,769 each through employee deferrals. Distributions totaled $988.2M (9% of assets), reflecting normal retirement and separation activity.

Use our 401(k) calculator to see how your contributions could grow, or review the 2026 IRS limits.

Bae Systems 401(k) Data Insights

Key observations from the most recent Form 5500 filing

  • Mature plan: Operating for 37 years since 1987. Plans with 20+ years of history tend to have well-optimized investment menus and established administrative processes.
  • Higher expenses: Plan expenses of $989.3M represent 9.3% of assets, above the industry average. Participants should review fund expense ratios within their accounts.
  • Strong returns: The plan generated $2.2B in investment income (20.8% of assets), reflecting favorable market conditions and investment selection during the filing year.
  • Low loan usage: Participant loans of $80.8M represent just 0.8% of plan assets - well below the industry average, suggesting strong employee financial wellness.

How Bae Systems Compares

Comparison against 284 employer 401(k) plans in our database

Metric Bae Systems Database Median Comparison
Avg. Balance per Participant $289K $140K ▲ 106% above median
Employer Contribution per Participant $6K $3K ▲ 65% above median
YoY Asset Growth 12.9% 12.9% ▬ Near median
Total Assets vs. Transportation Equipment Sector $10.6B $10.6B ▬ Near sector median

Bae Systems 401(k) Employer Match

Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 53% of employee deferrals ($5,697 per participant annually)

Use our employer match calculator to see how much free money you could earn.

Bae Systems 401(k) Plan Features

Plan features derived from DOL Form 5500 filing data

FeatureDetails
Employer Match Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 53% of employee deferrals ($5,697 per participant annually)
Roth 401(k) Available - after-tax contributions with tax-free qualified withdrawals
Investment Options Company Stock (BAESY)
401(k) Loans Available - up to 5 years
Company Stock Available as an investment option (limit to 10-15% of portfolio to manage concentration risk)
457 Plan Also offers a 457 plan - eligible employees can contribute to both for double tax-advantaged savings
Plan History Established 1987 - 37 years of retirement benefits

How to Maximize Your Bae Systems 401(k)

1

Contribute enough to get the full employer match - Bae Systems contributed 53% of employee deferrals in the latest filing

2

Consider increasing your contribution rate annually - even 1% more per year adds up significantly over time

3

Evaluate the Roth 401(k) option if you expect your tax rate to be higher in retirement

4

Use 401(k) loans only as a last resort - they reduce your retirement savings growth

5

Use our 401(k) calculator to project your retirement savings and find the right contribution rate

Use our 401(k) calculator to project your savings growth, or check how much free match money you could earn.

Contact Information

Plan Sponsor

BAE SYSTEMS, INC.

(888) 900-4223

2941 FAIRVIEW PARK DRIVE, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22042

Plan Administrator

BAE SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE

(571) 461-6088

Filing Information

EIN: 22-3537950

Plan Effective Date: 1987-01-01

Source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)

Bae Systems 401(k) Withdrawals

OptionDetails
Age 59½+ WithdrawalsPenalty-free withdrawals available after age 59½
Rule of 55Penalty-free if you leave Bae Systems at age 55+
Hardship WithdrawalsCheck with plan administrator
401(k) LoansAvailable - up to lesser of $50,000 or 50% of vested balance (5-year term)
RolloverRoll over to new employer plan or IRA when leaving Bae Systems
Total Distributions (Latest Filing)$988.2M paid to departing/retired participants
Outstanding Loans$80.8M in active participant loans

2026 Contribution Limits for Bae Systems 401(k)

See the full breakdown in our 2026 contribution limits guide, including rules for catch-up contributions (50+) and super catch-up (60-63).

Category Limit Details
Employee Deferral $24,500 Standard elective deferral limit for all participants
Catch-Up (Age 50+) +$8,000 Additional contributions for participants age 50 and over (total: $32,500)
Super Catch-Up (Age 60-63) +$11,250 SECURE 2.0 enhanced catch-up for ages 60-63 (total: $35,750)
Total Annual Additions (415 Limit) $72,000 Maximum combined employee + employer contributions
Compensation Cap $350,000 Maximum compensation considered for contributions
Bae Systems Avg. Employee Deferral $10,769 44% of the $24,500 limit (based on latest Form 5500 filing)
Bae Systems Avg. Employer Contribution $5,697 Employer contributes $209.6M total across 36,790 participants

Bae Systems 401(k) Plan Details

Data from DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)

Plan Name Active Participants Total Assets Employer Contributions Participant Contributions 401(k)
BAE SYSTEMS EMPLOYEES' SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN 36,790 $10.6B $209.6M $396.2M Yes

Plan Type Details

Primary Plan: BAE SYSTEMS EMPLOYEES' SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN

Plan Types: DC (401(k)); DC (Money Purchase); DC (Target Benefit); Offset; DC (Other); DC (Matching); DC (Stock Bonus); DC (SIMPLE 401(k)); IRA (SIMPLE); 457 Plan

Funded By: Trust

Financial Summary

MetricAmount
Total Assets (Beginning of Year)$9,406,287,325
Total Assets (End of Year)$10,624,156,570
Employer Contributions$209,589,186
Participant Contributions$396,186,213
Total Distributions$988,229,360
Total Income (Gains/Losses)$2,214,609,334
Total Expenses$989,261,682
Outstanding Participant Loans$80,830,153

Participant Breakdown

Active Participants
36,790
Total All Participants
58,807
Retired/Separated Receiving
2,846

Plan Review & Rating

Editorial rating based on DOL Form 5500 data

4.7
Match Generosity
4.9
Fund Options
5.0
Fees & Costs
4.7
Customer Service
4.4

Ratings are based on publicly available plan data, participant feedback, and industry benchmarks. Individual experience may vary. This is not financial advice. Data sourced from DOL Form 5500 filings.

People Also Ask About Bae Systems 401(k)

The Bae Systems 401(k) match is Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 53% of employee deferrals ($5,697 per participant annually). Compared to the average Fortune 500 match of 4-6% of salary, Bae Systems's % maximum is below average. However, your own contributions are always fully vested, and the plan offers other advantages like mega backdoor Roth access. Always contribute at least enough to get the full match - it's free money.

Vesting schedules determine when employer match contributions fully belong to you. Common schedules include immediate vesting, 3-year cliff vesting, or 6-year graded vesting. At Bae Systems, with $209.6M in annual employer contributions across the plan, understanding your vesting timeline matters before considering a job change. Contact Bae Systems HR for the exact vesting schedule.

Withdrawals from your Bae Systems 401(k) are generally available after age 59½, upon separation from service, disability, or financial hardship. The plan processed $988.2M in distributions during the last filing year. Early withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% penalty plus income taxes. The Rule of 55 allows penalty-free withdrawals if you leave Bae Systems at age 55 or older.

Yes, you can roll over your Bae Systems 401(k) to a Traditional IRA (for pre-tax funds) or Roth IRA (for Roth 401(k) funds). With an average balance of $289K per participant, a direct rollover avoids the mandatory 20% withholding that applies to indirect rollovers. Contact your plan administrator or the receiving IRA custodian to initiate the transfer.

Many Fortune 500 companies, including Bae Systems, have auto-enrollment features. With 36,790 active participants and $396.2M in annual employee deferrals, the plan demonstrates strong participation. Auto-enrollment typically starts at 3-6% of salary with annual escalation. You can opt out or change your contribution rate at any time through the plan provider portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bae Systems offers an employer match of Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 53% of employee deferrals ($5,697 per participant annually). Use our employer match calculator to see how much free money you could earn.

You can access your Bae Systems 401(k) account through the plan provider's participant portal. The plan serves 36,790 active participants. If you're a current or former employee, use the login link above or contact the plan administrator at the phone number listed on this page. First-time users will need to register using their Social Security number and date of birth.

For 2026, Bae Systems 401(k) participants can contribute up to $24,500 in employee deferrals. Participants aged 50+ can contribute an additional $8,000 in catch-up contributions (total $32,500). Those aged 60-63 can make super catch-up contributions of $11,250 (total $35,750). Currently, Bae Systems participants contribute an average of $10,769 per year in employee deferrals. Employer contributions are separate from these limits.

Many Bae Systems 401(k) plans offer loan provisions. As of the latest filing, Bae Systems participants had $80.8M in outstanding loans (averaging $2,197 across participants with active loans). The IRS limits 401(k) loans to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of your vested balance. With an average account balance of $289K in the Bae Systems plan, the maximum potential loan amount for a fully vested participant would vary accordingly. Check with your plan administrator for specific loan terms, or see our withdrawal rules guide.

When you leave Bae Systems, you have several options for your 401(k): keep it in the plan (if the balance is over $7,000), roll it over to a new employer's plan, roll it to an IRA, or take a cash distribution (subject to taxes and potential penalties). In the most recent filing year, the plan processed $988.2M in distributions to departing or retired participants. Employer match contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule.

According to the most recent Form 5500 filing, the Bae Systems 401(k) plan has 36,790 active participants managing $10.6B in plan assets. The average account balance is $289K per participant.

Many major employers, including Bae Systems, offer both traditional pre-tax and Roth after-tax 401(k) contribution options. Given that Bae Systems participants average $10,769 in annual deferrals, choosing between Roth and traditional depends on whether you expect your tax bracket to be higher or lower in retirement. Contact the Bae Systems plan administrator for availability.

The Bae Systems 401(k) plan typically offers a range of investment options including target-date funds, index funds, actively managed funds, and potentially company stock. The plan generated $2.2B in total investment income during the last filing year. Use our 401(k) calculator to project growth, or log into your account to see current options.

Bae Systems (BAESY) may offer company stock as an investment option within the 401(k) plan. Be mindful of concentration risk - financial advisors typically recommend limiting company stock to no more than 10-15% of your portfolio, especially given that your employment income already depends on Bae Systems's performance.

For 2026, Bae Systems matches Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 53% of employee deferrals ($5,697 per participant annually). The 2026 employee deferral limit is $24,500 ($32,500 if 50+, $35,750 if 60-63). Use our match calculator to estimate your free money.

401(k) Guides & Tools

Learn more about managing your Bae Systems 401(k)

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Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from public DOL Form 5500 filings and is provided for educational purposes only. This is not financial, tax, or investment advice. Plan details may have changed since the last filing. Always consult your plan administrator, HR department, or a qualified financial advisor for the most current information about your 401(k) plan. 401K.is is not affiliated with Bae Systems or their plan providers. Stock data for BAESY is provided by Polygon.io and may be delayed.

Last updated: March 2026 | Data source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings) | Filed: 2025-08-12