401(k) Plan

Through the Pearson Retirement 401(k) Plan you can save up to 50% of your pay and reap the benefits of a generous company contribution.

Employee 401(k) Plan Contributions

You can contribute 1%–50% of your eligible compensation, up to the annual Internal Revenue Service (IRS) contribution limit ($23,000 in 2024) or compensation limit ($345,000 in 2024), whichever is met first. Under the 401(k), you can make pre-tax contributions, Roth contributions and/or true after-tax contributions.

Pre-tax contributions are automatically deducted from your paycheck each pay period before Federal, and most state income taxes have been taken. You do not pay taxes on pre-tax contributions until you receive them as a distribution when you retire. In contrast, Roth 401(k) contributions are deducted from your pay after income taxes have been taken. However, you will not pay additional taxes on Roth 401(k) contributions or the investment earnings when they are distributed from the Plan, provided you meet certain criteria.

After-tax contributions are not eligible for the employer match and there are no limits on how much you can contribute. Withdrawal of your after-tax contributions is not taxed however, earnings are taxed upon withdrawal.

If you do not enroll within 30 days of becoming eligible, you will be automatically enrolled at a pre-tax rate contribution rate of 6% of your eligible compensation.

You are 100% vested in your contributions. The value of your contributions and earnings are yours when you leave the company, regardless of your years of service.

Employer Matching Contributions

Pearson matches dollar for dollar on the first 3% of your pre-tax contribution election plus $0.50 for every dollar on the next 5% of you pre-tax or Roth contribution election. Said otherwise, if you contribute 8% of your eligible compensation, Pearson will contribute 5.5% to your account. The Pearson match will go into your pre-tax account regardless if you choose pre-tax or Roth contributions. This means you will pay taxes on the Pearson match.

You are 100% vested in Pearson’s contributions after three years of service. (Between 1–2 years of service you are 33–1/3% vested, and between 2–3 years of service you are 66–2/3% vested).

401(k) Contribution and Compensation Limits

You make pre-tax and/or Roth contributions to the Plan during the year. Contributions made by Pearson do not count toward the annual contribution and compensation limits. These limits for 2024 are:

• Contribution Limit – $23,000
• Compensation Limit – $345,000

Catch-up Contribution Limit: If you attain age 50 during the 2024 calendar year, you may contribute an additional $7,500. After you contribute the maximum regular contribution allowed for the year, your catch-up contribution will begin. Catch-up contributions are not eligible for the employer match.