For the eighth year, data and analytics provider Brightscope hasreleased its year-end ranking of the “Top30 401(k) Plans List,” which recognizes companies with the best401(k)plans containing more than $1 billion in assets.

Average plan ratings have been on the rise, Brightscope says,demonstrating “that America's employees and employers recognize howcritical a high-quality 401(k) plan is to maintaining an acceptablestandard of living in retirement.”

The list found, among other things, that target-date fundsrepresent more than 10% of assets in the top 30 plans. In addition,index funds have increased 6% from last year and now make up nearly41% of plan assets for the top 30.

The ranking also found that average participation rate in a top30 plan is over 96%, the average salary deferral in a top 30 planis more than $14,500 per participant, and the average companygenerosity among top 30 plans is more than $13,000 perparticipant.

Other noteworthy information revealed by the ranking includedthe top ranking of the Delta Pilots Plan, with a 92.6 rating,thanks to a total plan cost of 25 basis points, company generosityand salary deferrals.

The Bayer Corp. plan ranks 12 places higher than it did lastyear, pushed up by more than $3,700 in company generosity perparticipant and more than $3,000 in salary deferrals perparticipant.

Football players will likely be pleased to hear that the NFLPlayer Annuity Program is now on the list, thanks to its joiningthe NFL Player Second Career Savings Plan. Both plans areaffiliated with the National Football League Players Associationand the National Football League Management Council.

Also, the Federal National Mortgage Association RetirementSavings Plan for Employees has boosted its own standing from 29 to21, with lower costs and higher salary deferrals and increasedcompany generosity.

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