Food Lion 401(k) Plan
Salisbury, North Carolina
Food Lion 401K plan details: employer match info, participant login access, withdrawal options, and full plan review. 2026 data with contacts, details.
Plan Analysis
Food Lion, in the Food & Beverage Stores sector and headquartered in North Carolina, manages a 401(k) program with $1.3B in total plan assets across 81,798 active participants, established 6 years ago. Plan assets grew 10.8% year-over-year, reflecting solid investment returns and contributions. The average balance of $15K per participant may reflect a younger workforce or higher employee turnover. The employer contributed an average of $501 per active participant, equivalent to 2% of the 2026 employee deferral limit. Participants contributed an average of $706 each through employee deferrals. Outstanding participant loans of $40.8M represent 3.2% of plan assets. Distributions totaled $117.4M (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.
Food Lion 401(k) Data Insights
Key observations from the most recent Form 5500 filing
- Higher expenses: Plan expenses of $119.1M represent 9.4% of assets, above the industry average. Participants should review fund expense ratios within their accounts.
- Strong returns: The plan generated $240.0M in investment income (18.9% of assets), reflecting favorable market conditions and investment selection during the filing year.
- Growth opportunity: Average contributions of $706 per year (3% of the $24,500 limit) suggest room to increase savings. Auto-escalation features can help participants gradually reach higher contribution rates.
How Food Lion Compares
Comparison against 284 employer 401(k) plans in our database
| Metric | Food Lion | Database Median | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Balance per Participant | $15K | $140K | ▼ 89% below median |
| Employer Contribution per Participant | $501 | $3K | ▼ 86% below median |
| YoY Asset Growth | 10.8% | 12.9% | ▬ Near median |
| Total Assets vs. Food & Beverage Stores Sector | $1.3B | $3.3B | ▼ 62% below sector median |
Food Lion 401(k) Employer Match
Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 71% of employee deferrals ($501 per participant annually)
Use our employer match calculator to see how much free money you could earn.
Food Lion 401(k) Plan Features
Plan features derived from DOL Form 5500 filing data
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Employer Match | Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 71% of employee deferrals ($501 per participant annually) |
| Roth 401(k) | Available - after-tax contributions with tax-free qualified withdrawals |
| 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 2018 - 6 years of retirement benefits |
How to Maximize Your Food Lion 401(k)
Contribute enough to get the full employer match - Food Lion contributed 71% of employee deferrals in the latest filing
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: 56-2173154
Plan Effective Date: 2018-01-01
Source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)
Food Lion 401(k) Withdrawals
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Age 59½+ Withdrawals | Penalty-free withdrawals available after age 59½ |
| Rule of 55 | Penalty-free if you leave Food Lion 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 Food Lion |
| Total Distributions (Latest Filing) | $117.4M paid to departing/retired participants |
| Outstanding Loans | $40.8M in active participant loans |
2026 Contribution Limits for Food Lion 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 |
| Food Lion Avg. Employee Deferral | $706 | 3% of the $24,500 limit (based on latest Form 5500 filing) |
| Food Lion Avg. Employer Contribution | $501 | Employer contributes $40.9M total across 81,798 participants |
Food Lion 401(k) Plan Details
Data from DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)
| Plan Name | Active Participants | Total Assets | Employer Contributions | Participant Contributions | 401(k) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FOOD LION 401(K) PLAN | 81,798 | $1.3B | $40.9M | $57.7M | Yes |
Plan Type Details
Primary Plan: FOOD LION 401(K) PLAN
Plan Types: DC (401(k)); DC (Money Purchase); DC (Target Benefit); DC (Other); Offset; DC (Matching); DC (Stock Bonus); DC (SIMPLE 401(k)); Custodial 403(b)(7); 457 Plan
Funded By: Trust
Financial Summary
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets (Beginning of Year) | $1,143,919,729 |
| Total Assets (End of Year) | $1,267,573,761 |
| Employer Contributions | $40,943,293 |
| Participant Contributions | $57,744,664 |
| Total Distributions | $117,374,756 |
| Total Income (Gains/Losses) | $239,992,615 |
| Total Expenses | $119,123,465 |
| Outstanding Participant Loans | $40,791,516 |
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 Food Lion 401(k)
The Food Lion 401(k) match is Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 71% of employee deferrals ($501 per participant annually). Compared to the average Fortune 500 match of 4-6% of salary, Food Lion'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 Food Lion, with $40.9M in annual employer contributions across the plan, understanding your vesting timeline matters before considering a job change. Contact Food Lion HR for the exact vesting schedule.
Withdrawals from your Food Lion 401(k) are generally available after age 59½, upon separation from service, disability, or financial hardship. The plan processed $117.4M 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 Food Lion at age 55 or older.
Yes, you can roll over your Food Lion 401(k) to a Traditional IRA (for pre-tax funds) or Roth IRA (for Roth 401(k) funds). With an average balance of $15K 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 Food Lion, have auto-enrollment features. With 81,798 active participants and $57.7M 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
Food Lion offers an employer match of Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 71% of employee deferrals ($501 per participant annually). Use our employer match calculator to see how much free money you could earn.
You can access your Food Lion 401(k) account through the plan provider's participant portal. The plan serves 81,798 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, Food Lion 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, Food Lion participants contribute an average of $706 per year in employee deferrals. Employer contributions are separate from these limits.
Many Food Lion 401(k) plans offer loan provisions. As of the latest filing, Food Lion participants had $40.8M in outstanding loans (averaging $499 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 $15K in the Food Lion 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 Food Lion, 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 $117.4M 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 Food Lion 401(k) plan has 81,798 active participants managing $1.3B in plan assets. The average account balance is $15K per participant.
Many major employers, including Food Lion, offer both traditional pre-tax and Roth after-tax 401(k) contribution options. Given that Food Lion participants average $706 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 Food Lion plan administrator for availability.
The Food Lion 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 $240.0M 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, Food Lion matches Competitive employer match - the plan contributed 71% of employee deferrals ($501 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 Food Lion 401(k)
Related Company 401(k) Plans
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 Food Lion or their plan providers.
Last updated: March 2026 | Data source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings) | Filed: 2025-10-08