Southern Company 401(k) Plan
Ooltewah, Tennessee
Southern Company 401K plan details: employer match info, participant login access, withdrawal options, and full plan review. 2026 data with contacts,...
Plan Analysis
Southern Company, in the Professional & Technical Services sector and headquartered in Tennessee, manages a 401(k) program with $12.4M in total plan assets across 99 active participants, established 31 years ago. The plan saw strong asset growth of 16.7% year-over-year, significantly outpacing the typical 401(k) plan. At $125K per participant, the average balance exceeds the national median, indicating competitive plan features and engaged savers. The employer contributed an average of $2,530 per active participant, equivalent to 10% of the 2026 employee deferral limit. Participants contributed an average of $5,225 each through employee deferrals. Southern Company sponsors 2 retirement plans, providing employees with diverse savings options.
How Southern Company Compares
Comparison against 284 employer 401(k) plans in our database
| Metric | Southern Company | Database Median | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Balance per Participant | $125K | $140K | ▼ 11% below median |
| Employer Contribution per Participant | $3K | $3K | ▼ 27% below median |
| YoY Asset Growth | 16.7% | 12.9% | ▲ Above median |
| Total Assets vs. Professional & Technical Services Sector | $12.4M | $6.5B | ▼ 100% below sector median |
Contact Information
Filing Information
EIN: 62-1729848
Plan Effective Date: 1993-04-01
Source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)
2026 Contribution Limits for Southern Company 401(k)
| 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 |
| Southern Company Avg. Employee Deferral | $5,225 | 21% of the $24,500 limit (based on latest Form 5500 filing) |
| Southern Company Avg. Employer Contribution | $2,530 | Employer contributes $250K total across 99 participants |
Southern Company 401(k) Plan Details
Data from DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)
| Plan Name | Active Participants | Total Assets | Employer Contributions | Participant Contributions | 401(k) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHNSTON SOUTHERN COMPANY SAVINGS & INVESTMENT PLAN | 76 | $10.9M | $143K | $473K | Yes |
| THE SOUTHERN COMPANY 401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN | 23 | $1.5M | $108K | $44K | Yes |
Plan Type Details
Primary Plan: JOHNSTON SOUTHERN COMPANY SAVINGS & INVESTMENT PLAN
Plan Types: DC (401(k)); DC (Money Purchase); DC (Target Benefit); DC (Other); Offset; DC (SIMPLE 401(k)); Custodial 403(b)(7); 457 Plan
Funded By:
Financial Summary
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets (Beginning of Year) | $10,621,274 |
| Total Assets (End of Year) | $12,394,377 |
| Employer Contributions | $250,460 |
| Participant Contributions | $517,249 |
| Total Distributions | $253,194 |
| Total Income (Gains/Losses) | $2,084,535 |
| Total Expenses | $311,432 |
| Outstanding Participant Loans | $0 |
Participant Breakdown
Plan Review & Rating
Based on 452 plan data ratings and analysis
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 Southern Company 401(k)
The Southern Company 401(k) match competitiveness depends on the formula and vesting schedule. With $2,530 in employer contributions per active participant (a 48% employer-to-employee ratio), Southern Company's match appears competitive with industry norms. Compare it with industry averages where the typical employer match is between 3-6% of salary. Review the specific match percentage and vesting timeline with your HR department.
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 Southern Company, with $250K in annual employer contributions across the plan, understanding your vesting timeline is critical before considering a job change. Contact Southern Company HR for the exact vesting schedule.
Withdrawals from your Southern Company 401(k) are generally available after age 59½, upon separation from service, disability, or financial hardship. The plan processed $253K 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 Southern Company at age 55 or older.
Yes, you can roll over your Southern Company 401(k) to a Traditional IRA (for pre-tax funds) or Roth IRA (for Roth 401(k) funds). With an average balance of $125K 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 Southern Company, have auto-enrollment features. With 99 active participants and $517K 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
Southern Company offers an employer match through their 401(k) plan. The latest filing shows $250K in employer contributions versus $517K in employee deferrals (a 48% ratio), consistent with a competitive match program. The exact match formula may vary by plan and employment status. Contact Southern Company HR or your plan administrator for the specific match formula applicable to your situation.
You can access your Southern Company 401(k) account through the plan provider's participant portal. The plan serves 99 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, Southern Company 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, Southern Company participants contribute an average of $5,225 per year in employee deferrals. Employer contributions are separate from these limits.
Many Southern Company 401(k) plans offer loan provisions. The IRS limits 401(k) loans to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of your vested balance. With an average account balance of $125K in the Southern Company plan, the maximum potential loan amount for a fully vested participant would vary accordingly. Check with your plan administrator for specific loan terms.
When you leave Southern Company, 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 $253K 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 Southern Company 401(k) plan has 99 active participants managing $12.4M in plan assets. The average account balance is $125K per participant, and the plan was originally established on N/A.
Many major employers, including Southern Company, offer both traditional pre-tax and Roth after-tax 401(k) contribution options. Given that Southern Company participants average $5,225 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 Southern Company plan administrator for availability.
The Southern Company 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 $2.1M in total investment income during the last filing year. Log into your account to see current investment options and performance.
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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 Southern Company or their plan providers.
Last updated: February 2026 | Data source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings) | Filed: 2025-06-05