1.0CEMhttps://explorecem.comIsha Sonihttps://explorecem.com/author/isha/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="658i1inB51"><a href="https://explorecem.com/understanding-two-distinct-sources-of-data-for-u-s-defined-contribution-retirement-plans/">Understanding two distinct sources of data for U.S. Defined contribution retirement plans</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://explorecem.com/understanding-two-distinct-sources-of-data-for-u-s-defined-contribution-retirement-plans/embed/#?secret=658i1inB51" width="600" height="338" title="“Understanding two distinct sources of data for U.S. Defined contribution retirement plans” — CEM" data-secret="658i1inB51" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://explorecem.com/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js </script> https://explorecem.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/milad-fakurian-2sICkGsJRQY-unsplash-scaled.jpg25601945The question of which data source to trust for retirement plan cost benchmarking has significant implications for plan sponsors’ fiduciary decisions. This research paper compares two commonly used data sources—the US Department of Labor’s Form 5500 regulatory filings and CEM Benchmarking’s specialized database—by analyzing 59 defined contribution plans that appear in both datasets. The study examines four key cost categories and investigates how different data collection methodologies inform benchmarking conclusions. It explores the structural factors that drive discrepancies between regulatory and specialized data sources, including reporting complexities, accounting variations, and data validation processes. The analysis reveals fundamental differences in how these sources capture and categorize plan costs, with important implications for plan governance decisions.