Firstgroup America 401(k) Plan

Cincinnati, Ohio

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

401(k) QualifiedEmployer MatchMoney PurchaseTop EmployerOHSupport for Transportation
Overall Rating
3.4/5
Editorial Score
Active Participants
49,717
Total Plan Assets
$328.2M
▲ 8.1% YoY
Avg. Balance per Participant
$7K
Number of Plans
1

Plan Analysis

Firstgroup America, in the Support for Transportation sector and headquartered in Ohio, manages a 401(k) program with $328.2M in total plan assets across 49,717 active participants, established 25 years ago. Plan assets grew 8.1% year-over-year, reflecting solid investment returns and contributions. The average balance of $7K per participant may reflect a younger workforce or higher employee turnover. The employer contributed an average of $130 per active participant. Participants contributed an average of $524 each through employee deferrals. Outstanding participant loans of $8.3M represent 2.5% of plan assets. The plan distributed $51.0M during the filing year, a relatively high 16% of total assets.

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

Firstgroup America 401(k) Data Insights

Key observations from the most recent Form 5500 filing

  • Mature plan: Operating for 25 years since 1999. Plans with 20+ years of history tend to have well-optimized investment menus and established administrative processes.
  • Higher expenses: Plan expenses of $52.1M represent 15.9% of assets, above the industry average. Participants should review fund expense ratios within their accounts.
  • Strong returns: The plan generated $73.6M in investment income (22.4% of assets), reflecting favorable market conditions and investment selection during the filing year.
  • Growth opportunity: Average contributions of $524 per year (2% of the $24,500 limit) suggest room to increase savings. Auto-escalation features can help participants gradually reach higher contribution rates.

How Firstgroup America Compares

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

Metric Firstgroup America Database Median Comparison
Avg. Balance per Participant $7K $140K ▼ 95% below median
Employer Contribution per Participant $130 $3K ▼ 96% below median
YoY Asset Growth 8.1% 12.9% ▼ Below median
Total Assets vs. Support for Transportation Sector $328.2M $2.5B ▼ 87% below sector median

Firstgroup America 401(k) Employer Match

Employer match available - the plan contributed 25% of employee deferrals ($130 per participant annually)

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

Firstgroup America 401(k) Plan Features

Plan features derived from DOL Form 5500 filing data

FeatureDetails
Employer Match Employer match available - the plan contributed 25% of employee deferrals ($130 per participant annually)
Roth 401(k) Available - after-tax contributions with tax-free qualified withdrawals
401(k) Loans Available - up to 5 years
Plan History Established 1999 - 25 years of retirement benefits

How to Maximize Your Firstgroup America 401(k)

1

Contribute enough to capture the full employer match - every dollar matched is free money

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

FIRSTGROUP AMERICA, INC.

(803) 543-1965

191 ROSA PARKS ST FL 8, CINCINNATI, OH 45202-2573

Filing Information

EIN: 52-2205403

Plan Effective Date: 1999-07-01

Source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)

Firstgroup America 401(k) Withdrawals

OptionDetails
Age 59½+ WithdrawalsPenalty-free withdrawals available after age 59½
Rule of 55Penalty-free if you leave Firstgroup America 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 Firstgroup America
Total Distributions (Latest Filing)$51.0M paid to departing/retired participants
Outstanding Loans$8.3M in active participant loans

2026 Contribution Limits for Firstgroup America 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
Firstgroup America Avg. Employee Deferral $524 2% of the $24,500 limit (based on latest Form 5500 filing)
Firstgroup America Avg. Employer Contribution $130 Employer contributes $6.5M total across 49,717 participants

Firstgroup America 401(k) Plan Details

Data from DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)

Plan Name Active Participants Total Assets Employer Contributions Participant Contributions 401(k)
FIRST STUDENT, INC. RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN 49,717 $328.2M $6.5M $26.1M Yes

Plan Type Details

Primary Plan: FIRST STUDENT, INC. RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN

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

Funded By: Trust Insurance

Financial Summary

MetricAmount
Total Assets (Beginning of Year)$303,645,765
Total Assets (End of Year)$328,168,310
Employer Contributions$6,463,562
Participant Contributions$26,067,389
Total Distributions$50,996,356
Total Income (Gains/Losses)$73,589,398
Total Expenses$52,148,500
Outstanding Participant Loans$8,308,856

Participant Breakdown

Active Participants
49,717
Total All Participants
51,842
Retired/Separated Receiving
192

Plan Review & Rating

Editorial rating based on DOL Form 5500 data

3.4
Match Generosity
3.3
Fund Options
3.4
Fees & Costs
3.3
Customer Service
3.5

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 Firstgroup America 401(k)

The Firstgroup America 401(k) match is Employer match available - the plan contributed 25% of employee deferrals ($130 per participant annually). Compared to the average Fortune 500 match of 4-6% of salary, Firstgroup America'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 Firstgroup America, with $6.5M in annual employer contributions across the plan, understanding your vesting timeline matters before considering a job change. Contact Firstgroup America HR for the exact vesting schedule.

Withdrawals from your Firstgroup America 401(k) are generally available after age 59½, upon separation from service, disability, or financial hardship. The plan processed $51.0M 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 Firstgroup America at age 55 or older.

Yes, you can roll over your Firstgroup America 401(k) to a Traditional IRA (for pre-tax funds) or Roth IRA (for Roth 401(k) funds). With an average balance of $7K 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 Firstgroup America, have auto-enrollment features. With 49,717 active participants and $26.1M 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

Firstgroup America offers an employer match of Employer match available - the plan contributed 25% of employee deferrals ($130 per participant annually). Use our employer match calculator to see how much free money you could earn.

You can access your Firstgroup America 401(k) account through the plan provider's participant portal. The plan serves 49,717 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, Firstgroup America 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, Firstgroup America participants contribute an average of $524 per year in employee deferrals. Employer contributions are separate from these limits.

Many Firstgroup America 401(k) plans offer loan provisions. As of the latest filing, Firstgroup America participants had $8.3M in outstanding loans (averaging $167 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 $7K in the Firstgroup America 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 Firstgroup America, 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 $51.0M 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 Firstgroup America 401(k) plan has 49,717 active participants managing $328.2M in plan assets. The average account balance is $7K per participant.

Many major employers, including Firstgroup America, offer both traditional pre-tax and Roth after-tax 401(k) contribution options. Given that Firstgroup America participants average $524 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 Firstgroup America plan administrator for availability.

The Firstgroup America 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 $73.6M 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.

For 2026, Firstgroup America matches Employer match available - the plan contributed 25% of employee deferrals ($130 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 Firstgroup America 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 Firstgroup America or their plan providers.

Last updated: March 2026 | Data source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings) | Filed: 2025-10-13