BrightScope has released its annual year-end ranking of the 30 best 401(k) plans with more than $1 billion in assets.

There have been some moves since last year's list–some up, some down–and nine new honorees never-before on the list.

Overall, BrightScope finds that 401(k) plan quality has steadily increased. The average BrightScope rating of plans on the list is up to 88.47 compared to an average rating of 87.1 for plans on the 2011 list.

Read: Defined benefit plans still outdo defined contribution plans in rate of return

BrightScope uses an algorithm of more than 200 data points to calculate the rating for each 401(k) plan.

The data points, which cover broad categories such as total plan cost, company generosity and investment menu quality, are obtained directly from plan sponsors and record keepers and from publicly available sources such as the Department of Labor and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“This is our seventh year compiling the Year-End Top 30 Ratings list, and yet again we see companies offer increasingly outstanding plans,” said Mike Alfred, CEO & co-founder of BrightScope, in a statement. “It's encouraging to see the average plan rating continue to improve, demonstrating employers recognize the importance a high quality 401(k) plan plays in helping employees retire with dignity.”

See: 30 Best Big 401(k) Plans in 2014

Through its analysis, Brightscope also finds that participation rates have slowed to 96%, down nearly 1% year-over-year.

Average account balances represented have also decreased by nearly $10,000 since the Top 30 List of 2014, although this does not refer to drops or decreases in participation.

Read: Retirement plans in 2019–a sea change coming

BrightScope also finds that salary deferrals per participant are higher this year – with the average more than $13,781, growing from $13,572.

Here is the entire list of the 2015 Top 30 401k Plans with more than $1 billion in assets:

30. Allergan, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan

2014 Rank: N/A

Headquarters: Irvine, California BrightScope Rating: 87.18

29. Federal National Mortgage Association Retirement Savings Plan for Employees

2014 Rank: 27

Headquarters: Washington, DC BrightScope Rating: 87.26

28. The 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan of McGraw-Hill Financial, Inc. and its Subsidiaries

2014 Rank: N/A

Headquarters: New York BrightScope Rating: 87.31

27. Bristol-Myers Squibb Company Savings and Investment Program

2014 Rank: N/A

Headquarters: New York BrightScope Rating: 87.44

26. Sanofi U.S. Group Savings Plan

2014 Rank: N/A

Headquarters: Bridgewater, New Jersey BrightScope Rating: 87.46

25. Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan

2014 Rank: N/A

Headquarters: Deerfield, Illinois BrightScope Rating: 87.53

24. BASF Corporation Retirement Savings Plan

2014 Rank: N/A

Headquarters: Florham Park, New Jersey BrightScope Rating: 87.56

23. Latham & Watkins 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan

2014 Rank: 17

Headquarters: Los Angeles BrightScope Rating: 87.56

22. Shell Provident Fund

2014 Rank: 26

Headquarters: Houston BrightScope Rating: 87.59

21. Phillips 66 Savings Plan

2014 Rank: 15

Headquarters: Houston BrightScope Rating: 87.68

20. Novartis Corporation Investment Savings Plan

2014 Rank: 30

Headquarters: New York BrightScope Rating: 87.88

19. Bayer Corporation Savings and Retirement Plan

2014 Rank: 9

Headquarters: Pittsburgh BrightScope Rating: 87.89

18. Google Inc. 401(K) Savings Plan

2014 Rank: 12

Headquarters: Mountain View, California BrightScope Rating: 88.07

17. Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 401(K) Savings & Investment Plan

2014 Rank: 14

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina BrightScope Rating: 88.11

16. Pfizer Savings Plan

2014 Rank: N/A

Headquarters: Peapack, New Jersey BrightScope Rating: 88.12

Ned Barnholt, CEO of Agilent Technologies. (Photo: AP)

15. ExxonMobil Savings Plan

2014 Rank: 10

Headquarters: Houston BrightScope Rating: 88.20

14. Southern California Permanente Medical Group Retirement Plan

2014 Rank: 13

Headquarters: Pasadena, California BrightScope Rating: 88.21

13. Bechtel Trust & Thrift Plan

2014 Rank: 16

Headquarters: San Francisco BrightScope Rating: 88.22

12. Agilent Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Plan

2014 Rank: N/A

Headquarters: Santa Clara, California BrightScope Rating: 88.26

11. Anadarko Employee Savings Plan

2014 Rank: 28

Headquarters: The Woodlands, Texas BrightScope Rating: 88.30

BP Sign (Photo: AP)

10. BP Employee Savings Plan

2014 Rank: 11

Headquarters: Houston BrightScope Rating: 88.31

9. Chevron Employee Savings Investment Plan

2014 Rank: N/A

Headquarters: San Ramon, California BrightScope Rating: 88.68

8. ConocoPhillips Savings Plan

2014 Rank: 8

Headquarters: Houston BrightScope Rating: 88.75

7. UPS/IPA Defined Contribution Money Purchase Pension Plan

2014 Rank: 7

Headquarters: Louisville, Kentucky BrightScope Rating: 89.10

6. Astrazeneca Savings and Security Plan

2014 Rank: 22

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware BrightScope Rating: 89.39

Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines. (Photo: AP)

5. Wellington Retirement and Pension Plan

2014 Rank: 4

Headquarters: Boston BrightScope Rating: 90.48

4. Southwest Airlines Pilots Retirement Savings Plan

2014 Rank: 2

Headquarters: Dallas BrightScope Rating: 90.63

3. Amgen Retirement and Savings Plan

2014 Rank: 6

Headquarters: Thousand Oaks, California BrightScope Rating: 90.78

2. The Savings Plan of Saudi Arabian Oil Company

2014 Rank: 3

Headquarters: Houston BrightScope Rating: 90.79

1. NFL Player Second Career Savings Plan

2014 Rank: 1

Headquarters: Baltimore BrightScope Rating: 91.13

Instant Insights /

30 best big 401(k) plans in 2015: Brightscope

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