ESOP Statistical Update
A recent study published by the NCEO (www.nceo.org) based on data from the Department of Labor, indicates there were 6,717 ESOPs covering approximately 14.1 million participants at the end of 2014 (latest complete data set available.) These plans held assets in excess of $1.3 trillion, or roughly $92,000 per participant which is more than 125% of the average annual income.
The vast majority of these ESOPs were stand-along plans but nearly 20% were combined ESOPs and 401(k) plans, aka, KSOPs.