Cardinal Health 401(k) Plan
Dublin, Ohio
Cardinal Health 401K plan details: employer match info, participant login access, withdrawal options, and full plan review. 2026 data with contacts,.
Plan Analysis
Cardinal Health, in the Wholesale Nondurable Goods sector and headquartered in Ohio, manages a 401(k) program with $4.9B in total plan assets across 32,683 active participants, established 37 years ago. Plan assets grew 11.2% year-over-year, reflecting solid investment returns and contributions. The average participant balance of $150K 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 $2,548 per active participant, equivalent to 10% of the 2026 employee deferral limit. Participants contributed an average of $5,295 each through employee deferrals. Outstanding participant loans of $77.8M represent 1.6% of plan assets. Distributions totaled $489.0M (10% of assets), reflecting normal retirement and separation activity. Cardinal Health sponsors 4 retirement plans, providing employees with diverse savings options.
Use our 401(k) calculator to see how your contributions could grow, or review the 2026 IRS limits.
Cardinal Health 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 $491.3M represent 10.0% of assets, above the industry average. Participants should review fund expense ratios within their accounts.
- Strong returns: The plan generated $987.3M in investment income (20.1% of assets), reflecting favorable market conditions and investment selection during the filing year.
- Growth opportunity: Average contributions of $5,295 per year (22% of the $24,500 limit) suggest room to increase savings. Auto-escalation features can help participants gradually reach higher contribution rates.
How Cardinal Health Compares
Comparison against 284 employer 401(k) plans in our database
| Metric | Cardinal Health | Database Median | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Balance per Participant | $150K | $140K | ▬ Near median |
| Employer Contribution per Participant | $3K | $3K | ▼ 26% below median |
| YoY Asset Growth | 11.2% | 12.9% | ▬ Near median |
| Total Assets vs. Wholesale Nondurable Goods Sector | $4.9B | $5.1B | ▬ Near sector median |
Cardinal Health 401(k) Employer Match
Employer contributions of $2,548 per participant annually (may include profit sharing or non-elective contributions)
Use our employer match calculator to see how much free money you could earn.
Cardinal Health 401(k) Plan Features
Plan features derived from DOL Form 5500 filing data
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Employer Match | Employer contributions of $2,548 per participant annually (may include profit sharing or non-elective contributions) |
| Roth 401(k) | Available - after-tax contributions with tax-free qualified withdrawals |
| 401(k) Loans | Available - up to 5 years |
| 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 Cardinal Health 401(k)
Consider increasing your contribution rate annually - even 1% more per year adds up significantly over time
Evaluate the Roth 401(k) option if you expect your tax rate to be higher in retirement
Use 401(k) loans only as a last resort - they reduce your retirement savings growth
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
Filing Information
EIN: 31-0958666
Plan Effective Date: 1987-03-25
Source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)
Cardinal Health 401(k) Withdrawals
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Age 59½+ Withdrawals | Penalty-free withdrawals available after age 59½ |
| Rule of 55 | Penalty-free if you leave Cardinal Health at age 55+ |
| Hardship Withdrawals | Check with plan administrator |
| 401(k) Loans | Available - up to lesser of $50,000 or 50% of vested balance (5-year term) |
| Rollover | Roll over to new employer plan or IRA when leaving Cardinal Health |
| Total Distributions (Latest Filing) | $489.0M paid to departing/retired participants |
| Outstanding Loans | $77.8M in active participant loans |
Cardinal Health Stock (CAH)
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2026 Contribution Limits for Cardinal Health 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 |
| Cardinal Health Avg. Employee Deferral | $5,295 | 22% of the $24,500 limit (based on latest Form 5500 filing) |
| Cardinal Health Avg. Employer Contribution | $2,548 | Employer contributes $83.3M total across 32,683 participants |
Cardinal Health 401(k) Plan Details
Data from DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)
| Plan Name | Active Participants | Total Assets | Employer Contributions | Participant Contributions | 401(k) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARDINAL HEALTH 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN | 31,015 | $4.8B | $78.6M | $165.1M | Yes |
| ION INTERMEDIATE HOLDINGS, LLC 401(K) PLAN | 1,014 | $97.7M | $3.5M | $5.7M | Yes |
| CARDINAL HEALTH 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF PUERTO RICO | 650 | $51.9M | $1.2M | $2.2M | Yes |
| CARDINAL HEALTHCARE, PLLC 401(K) PLAN | 4 | $947K | $13K | $54K | Yes |
Plan Type Details
Primary Plan: CARDINAL HEALTH 401(K) SAVINGS PLAN
Plan Types: DC (401(k)); DC (Money Purchase); DC (Target Benefit); DC (Other); Offset; 2O; DC (SIMPLE 401(k)); IRA (SIMPLE); 457 Plan
Funded By: Trust
Financial Summary
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets (Beginning of Year) | $4,420,613,286 |
| Total Assets (End of Year) | $4,915,165,052 |
| Employer Contributions | $83,270,017 |
| Participant Contributions | $173,068,919 |
| Total Distributions | $488,981,841 |
| Total Income (Gains/Losses) | $987,292,962 |
| Total Expenses | $491,347,116 |
| Outstanding Participant Loans | $77,780,687 |
Participant Breakdown
Plan Review & Rating
Editorial rating based on DOL Form 5500 data
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 Cardinal Health 401(k)
The Cardinal Health 401(k) match is Employer contributions of $2,548 per participant annually (may include profit sharing or non-elective contributions). Compared to the average Fortune 500 match of 4-6% of salary, Cardinal Health'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 Cardinal Health, with $83.3M in annual employer contributions across the plan, understanding your vesting timeline matters before considering a job change. Contact Cardinal Health HR for the exact vesting schedule.
Withdrawals from your Cardinal Health 401(k) are generally available after age 59½, upon separation from service, disability, or financial hardship. The plan processed $489.0M 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 Cardinal Health at age 55 or older.
Yes, you can roll over your Cardinal Health 401(k) to a Traditional IRA (for pre-tax funds) or Roth IRA (for Roth 401(k) funds). With an average balance of $150K 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 Cardinal Health, have auto-enrollment features. With 32,683 active participants and $173.1M 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
Cardinal Health offers an employer match of Employer contributions of $2,548 per participant annually (may include profit sharing or non-elective contributions). Use our employer match calculator to see how much free money you could earn.
You can access your Cardinal Health 401(k) account through the plan provider's participant portal. The plan serves 32,683 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, Cardinal Health 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, Cardinal Health participants contribute an average of $5,295 per year in employee deferrals. Employer contributions are separate from these limits.
Many Cardinal Health 401(k) plans offer loan provisions. As of the latest filing, Cardinal Health participants had $77.8M in outstanding loans (averaging $2,380 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 $150K in the Cardinal Health 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 Cardinal Health, 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 $489.0M 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 Cardinal Health 401(k) plan has 32,683 active participants managing $4.9B in plan assets. The average account balance is $150K per participant.
Many major employers, including Cardinal Health, offer both traditional pre-tax and Roth after-tax 401(k) contribution options. Given that Cardinal Health participants average $5,295 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 Cardinal Health plan administrator for availability.
The Cardinal Health 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 $987.3M 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.
Cardinal Health (CAH) 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 Cardinal Health's performance.
For 2026, Cardinal Health matches Employer contributions of $2,548 per participant annually (may include profit sharing or non-elective contributions). 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 Cardinal Health 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 Cardinal Health or their plan providers. Stock data for CAH is provided by Polygon.io and may be delayed.
Last updated: March 2026 | Data source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings) | Filed: 2025-07-30