2025 Status of CSX CAPITAL BUILDER 401K Retirement Plan

(Status as of December 31^st, 2024) CSX Agreement (union) employee 401K

In this comprehensive guide, we cover the CSX capital builder 401k Plan for union employees. As CSX agreement employee and retirees, understanding the status of your 401k plan is key.

2025 status of CSX Capital Builder 401K retirement plan information was just released on 6/23/2025 for year 2024.

Are you a non union employee at CSX participating to the 401K plan? Then, check out this guide for the 2025 Status of CSX Corp 401K Retirement Plan.

Let’s uncover the details, shed light on the plan’s current status, and empower you with actionable insights. Let’s understand the health check of the 401K plan at CSX.

Unveiling the CSX Corp 401k Plan

CSX Corp provides their union/agreement employees an additional way to save for retirement, outside of Railroad retirement income (tier 1 and Teir 2 benefits). What is 401(K)?

401(K) allows employees the ability to save for retirement through pre-tax contributions from their pay to the 401K plan.

CSX Corp employees are eligible to participate after they meet the plan requirement agreed upon by CSX and the corresponding railroad unions.

Based on my review of the CSX Corp Capital Builder 401K Plan, here are the key takeaways:

Plan Overview

• Plan Type: Multiple employer defined contribution plan for union employees of CSX Corporation and affiliated companies
• ESOP Component: Portion established as Employee Stock Ownership Plan, designed to invest primarily in CSX common stock
• 401(k) Features: Contains cash or deferred arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code

Financial Performance (2024)

• Net Assets: $1.54 billion as of December 31, 2024 (up from $1.51 billion in 2023)
• Net Increase: $21.7 million for the year
• Investment Gains: $84.6 million net gain from Master Trust investments
• Total Contributions: $59.9 million ($49.4M member contributions + $7.1M employer contributions + $3.4M transfers)

Plan Features

• Contribution Limits: Members can contribute 1% to 50% of eligible compensation (pre-tax or Roth after-tax)
• Catch-up Contributions: Available for members age 50 and older
• Vesting: Members are 100% vested in their accounts
• Loan Provisions: Members can borrow up to $50,000 or 50% of account balance, with terms of 1-5 years (25 years for primary residence)

Investment Structure

• Master Trust: All investments held through CSX Corporation Master Retirement Savings Plan Trust
• Plan’s Share: 49% of Master Trust net assets (down from 50% in 2023)
• Investment Options: CSX common stock, mutual funds, common collective trusts, stable value fund
• Daily Diversification: Members can redirect contributions daily, including immediate transfer from CSX stock

Notable Issues

• Prohibited Transactions: Company failed to deposit $6,249 in participant deferrals timely in 2024 (and $19,908 in 2023)
• Corrections Made: All late deposits were corrected with participants made whole, and Form 5330 was filed

Administrative Details

• Auditor: Ernst & Young LLP (serving as auditor since 1990)
• Trustee: The Northern Trust Company

The Blueprint of the CSX Corp 401k Plan for Union Employees

The CSX Corp employee 401(k) Retirement Plan is a cornerstone of retirement planning. Here’s a snapshot of how it operates:

Facts about CSX agreement 401(K):

• Your contributions to the 401K are 100% vested. Meaning every dollar, you contribute are yours and if you decide to leave CSX you can take your 401K account balance with you to your new job (or leave at CSX Corp), cash out, or rollover to an individual IRA/Roth. 
• CSX Corp contributions to union employees, are determined by the agreements established with the various rail unions. Therefore the matching contribution amount may be different depending on current agreement.
• Investment risk is on you as the employee; meaning, you pick the investments and if those investments underperform the 401K/CSX Corp is not responsible. However, CSX and the plan sponsor (Empower Retirement http://www.empower-retirement.com/participant) that manages the investments does have the responsibility to offers suitable investments for the greater employee base. This may be more conservative and at times more aggressive than your individual goals and needs, but you have options.
• Loans, the CSX 401K plan does allow loans from your 401K account balance. The loan time frame can range from 1 year to 5 years. The loans can extend to 25 years if its for the purchase of a home. The interest rate is determined by the prime rate in the Wall Street Journal on the first business day on the month plus 1%. For example, the current prime rate is 7.50% as of 7/1/2025 and your loan rate would be 8.50%.

CSX offers an employee stock ownership plan, where you can invest in CSX common stock. You have the option to invest 100% in ticker symbol CSX.

Also, CSX quarterly dividend; is auto reinvested in CSX stock. For example, the most recent dividend was .13 cents per share, and if you retire with 1000 shares of CSX those shares would pay you $130 during the quarter dividend.

Depending on your situation those dividends can be reinvested, and buy more shares of CSX and continue the compounding process.

Taking a closer look at compounding with CSX stock in retirement (or before):

Let’s say that you have 1000 shares of CSX stock in your individual investment account or at computer shares. Also, let’s assume it’s time for the quarterly dividend.

CSX recently closed at $33.47 a share (on 7/1/2025) and if you decided to reinvest the .13 cent dividend per share into CSX you could buy the equivalent of 3 whole shares. The reinvestment of the dividends would earn more money later than taking the cash now and placing in a checking or savings account.

Let’s dive into the status of the CSX Corp 401k Plan and what it means for you.

A Closer Look at the Plan’s Status

To provide you with the most accurate insights, we’ve explored the official source: the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing for CSX Corp – 2025 Status of CSX Capital Builder 401K Retirement Plan. As of the filing date, the plan remains active and operational, serving as a vehicle to help you prepare for retirement.

• Total 401K Plan Assets: $1.54 billion as of Dec. 31^st, 2024. Balance was $1.51 billion as of Dec. 31^st 2023. Increased plan balance was ultimately due to overall stock market performance. In 2024 compared to the market of 2023.
• Total Contributions:
  • Contributions by employees, $49.4 million
  in 2024
  • Contributions by CSX Corp, $7.1 for 2024
• Total Deductions:
  • Deductions, $126 million for 2024
• Net increase in Assets from 2023 to 2024 is $21 million
• Total assets available for benefits (payable to employees 401K participants): $1.54 Billion as of Dec. 31^st, 2024
• Administrative Expenses:  Admin fees are for investment management and transaction fees related to the assets in the 401K Plan were $2.2 million.

Embracing Your CSX Corp 401K Plan

Now that you’re aware of the updated 2025 status of CSX Corp 401k Retirement Plan significance, let’s explore how you can make the most of it.

1. Understand Your Benefits

Information about the company benefits can be accessed on the CSX website. Also, when determining your retirement need the rule of thumb is 4% withdrawal from a 401K over a retiree retirement year will suffice to provide for the desired retirement in addition to Railroad Retirement Benefits. And I actually learned the following technic while working at the Railroad. Each year increase your saving rate for the amount of increase you received over last year. For example, if your base is $70K and this year base rate was increased to $72,500. Save the additional $2,500 either in your 401K or outside savings.

2. Leverage Employer Match

CSX Corp’s contribution match is an excellent opportunity. Contribute enough to maximize this match, it’s like free money towards your retirement. Once more information about the plan is available for the various unions we will update with an example of the matching contribution.

3. Diversify Your Portfolio

While investing can seem daunting, diversification is key. Spread your investments across various assets to mitigate risk and optimize returns.

For example, CSX offers the ability to invest in the CSX common stock, a Cash alternative, and various mutual funds. Depending on your risk tolerance you may prefer a more aggressive option of investing more in the stock fund and the aggressive mutual fund options.

Or if you prefer a more conservative option, you can purchase cash solution and the conservative mutual fund option.  

4. Monitor and Adjust

Your financial goals and risk tolerance may change over time. Regularly review and adjust your investment choices to align with your evolving needs.

Furthermore, Empower Retirement offers target date mutual funds that targets a year in the future typically related to your potential retirement year. And the investments in the mutual fund adjust to more conservative as the investment portfolio gets closer to the target year.

Quick tip, if you are a more aggressive investor and your retirement year is 2030 then you could select a target date fund of 2035 or any time after 2030 to have a slightly more aggressive allocation and we still suggest reducing the allocation as you get closer to retirement.

5. Plan Ahead

Don’t delay! The earlier you start contributing to your 401(k), the more time your money has to grow through compound interest.

When’s the best time to plant a pomegranate tree? 20 years ago, when’s the 2^nd best time to plant a pomegranate tree…. today. Why delay saving today throws money to the future, and todays savings earn and those earnings accumulate year over year.

Conclusion

The 2025 Status of CSX CAPITAL BUILDER 401K Retirement Plan is your “train order” to a secure retirement. By understanding its mechanics and staying informed about its status, you’re equipping yourself for financial success.

Have you reviewed your 401K investments and how you are tracking to your retirement goal? Reach out to us today for personalized guidance.

Let’s ensure your CSX Corp 401(k) Retirement Plan is a powerful tool in securing your future. Your retirement visions await, let’s start planning now!