Merck & Co., Inc. 401(k): best low-cost funds
Merck US Savings Plan · Plan #001 · Rahway, NJ
Suggested simple Boglehead mix
The public data doesn't show enough index funds from this plan to suggest a full mix. A typical Boglehead approach: look in your menu for a US total market or S&P 500 index fund, an international index fund, and a US bond index fund, all with expense ratios under about 0.10%. Or use one low-cost target-date index fund. How the 3-fund portfolio works.
Know this plan's fund menu? Submit it and we'll add a fund-by-fund pick list.
Pooled funds named in the filing (Schedule D)
These are collective trusts and similar pooled funds the plan reported holding. Names that look like index funds are tagged index by keyword, so check them yourself. Mutual funds are not listed by name in the free data.
| Fund | Manager | Type | Plan's holding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merck US SAV And EE Stk-participant | Merck & Co., Inc. | Master trust | $14.0B |
| Merck US SAV And EE Stk-merck Stock | Merck & Co., Inc. | Master trust | $942.3M |
How plan assets are invested
| Category (Schedule H) | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Master trusts | $14.9B | 99.5% |
| Participant loans | $72.3M | 0.5% |
Fees paid from plan assets
| Total administrative expenses | $123,978 |
Reported administrative expenses were about 0.001% of average plan assets, or about $3 per participant with a balance. This usually excludes fund expense ratios netted inside mutual funds and trusts.
Source: DOL EFAST2 Form 5500 & Schedules H/D, filing ID 20250922090523NAL0005406704001. EIN 221918501.
FAQ
What are the best low-cost funds in the Merck & Co., Inc. 401(k)?
The free public data doesn't list enough of the Merck & Co., Inc. plan's index funds to say. Look in your plan's fee disclosure (404a-5 notice) for a US stock index fund, an international index fund and a bond index fund with low expense ratios.
Can I build a three-fund portfolio in the Merck & Co., Inc. 401(k)?
Possibly. Many large plans offer the three building blocks, but the public data for this plan doesn't confirm it. A low-cost target-date index fund is a common one-fund alternative.
How big is the Merck & Co., Inc. 401(k) plan?
The plan reported about $15.0B in net assets and 40,628 participants with balances for plan year 2024, according to its DOL Form 5500 filing.
Where does this data come from?
From public U.S. Department of Labor Form 5500 filings (EFAST2) and, where noted, the plan's SEC Form 11-K. Data can be outdated or incomplete, and this page is not financial advice.
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