Form 5500 Schedule C Explained: Service Provider Fees
Schedule C is where large Form 5500 filers disclose the people and firms they pay to run the plan — and how much each was paid. It's the richest source of fee and provider data in the entire filing.
Last updated June 2, 2026
Who files Schedule C
Schedule C is filed by large plans (those filing the full Form 5500, generally 100+ participants). Plans filing the short Form 5500-SF do not file Schedule C — which is why small-plan service providers aren't in the public record.
The $5,000 reporting threshold
A service provider must be listed if it received $5,000 or more in total compensation (directly or indirectly) in connection with services to the plan. Providers paid less than that de-minimis amount may not appear, so Schedule C captures the meaningful relationships, not every vendor.
Direct vs. indirect compensation
- Direct compensation — paid from plan assets to the provider (e.g., recordkeeping fees deducted from the trust).
- Indirect compensation — received from sources other than the plan or sponsor, such as revenue sharing, 12b-1 fees, and float, that's tied to the provider's plan services.
Service categories you'll see
Each provider is reported with a relationship/service code. We bucket those into plain-language categories so you can scan a plan's lineup at a glance:
- Recordkeeper, Custodian/Trustee, Investment Advisor/Consultant
- Accountant/Auditor, Actuary, TPA/Administrator
- Broker, Legal counsel, Insurance, and Other
Search ~2.9 million Form 5500 filings by company, EIN, or plan name — assets, participants, providers, and holdings.
Search filingsFrequently asked questions
No. Small plans that file Form 5500-SF are not required to file Schedule C, so their service providers and fees are not publicly disclosed.
$5,000 — a provider must be reported if it received $5,000 or more in direct or indirect compensation for services to the plan.