2023 plan year · EFAST2
Form 5500 filing friction by plan size
39.6% of all filings arrive only in the extension window — not on the original federal deadline. For plans with 1,000+ participants, extension reliance hits 69%.
55%
On-time (original deadline)
39.6%
Extension window only
5.4%
Past extended deadline
875,610
Filings analyzed
Extension reliance grows with plan size
Micro (< 100 participants)
730,012 filings
59.2% on-time · 36.2% extension · 4.6% late
Small (100–499)
102,197 filings
38.3% on-time · 52.5% extension · 9.2% late
Mid (500–999)
17,943 filings
27% on-time · 63.5% extension · 9.5% late
Large (1,000+)
25,458 filings
22.7% on-time · 69% extension · 8.4% late
Source: U.S. Department of Labor EFAST2 — Form 5500 & 5500-SF public filings (n = 875,610).
| Plan size | Filings | On-time | Extension | Late |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro (< 100 participants) | 730,012 | 59.2% | 36.2% | 4.6% |
| Small (100–499) | 102,197 | 38.3% | 52.5% | 9.2% |
| Mid (500–999) | 17,943 | 27% | 63.5% | 9.5% |
| Large (1,000+) | 25,458 | 22.7% | 69% | 8.4% |
Larger plans mean more documents, more schedules, and more coordination — exactly where workflow control matters.