Cintas 401(k) at a glance
| Employer match | Cintas pays a discretionary match once a year, set by the board after the fiscal year ends (May 31). You must have contributed during the year to get it. |
|---|---|
| Company contribution (no match needed) | Cintas also makes discretionary profit-sharing and ESOP (company stock) contributions, allocated by pay and years of service. You do not need to contribute to get them. |
| Vesting | 5 years to fully vestThe match vests 20% at 2 years and 100% at 5 years. Profit sharing and ESOP vest 100% after 3 years. |
| Eligibility | You can contribute after 3 months of service. Company contributions require 1,000 hours of service and employment on the last day of the fiscal year. |
| Automatic enrollment | Partners are auto-enrolled at 3% of pay after 3 months, in a target-date fund. |
| Roth 401(k) option | Yes |
| Pension | No |
| Plan provider | Alight Solutions (recordkeeper); Fifth Third Bank (trustee) |
| Who this applies to | US Cintas employee-partners |
Good to know
- Employer contributions to the Partners' Plan totaled $129.7 million for 2025.
- The match rate is not fixed and can change each year.
Other Cintas retirement benefits
- Profit sharing
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
How to make the most of your Cintas 401(k)
- Always get the full match. Contribute enough to earn every matching dollar. It is an instant return you cannot get anywhere else.
- Check your vesting date before you change jobs, so you do not leave unvested money behind.
- Pre-tax or Roth? If you expect a higher tax rate in retirement, Roth contributions can pay off. Model it with our Roth conversion calculator.
- Watch fees and prefer low-cost index or target-date funds in the plan lineup.
- Plan the whole picture: see how your state taxes retirement income before you decide where to retire.
Frequently asked questions
Does Cintas match 401(k) contributions?
Cintas pays a discretionary match once a year, set by the board after the fiscal year ends (May 31). You must have contributed during the year to get it. Cintas also makes discretionary profit-sharing and ESOP (company stock) contributions, allocated by pay and years of service. You do not need to contribute to get them.
When does the Cintas 401(k) match vest?
The match vests 20% at 2 years and 100% at 5 years. Profit sharing and ESOP vest 100% after 3 years.
When can I join the Cintas 401(k)?
You can contribute after 3 months of service. Company contributions require 1,000 hours of service and employment on the last day of the fiscal year.
Sources (last verified 2025 plan year (11-K filed June 2026))
- Cintas Partners' Plan Form 11-K for 2025 — SEC EDGAR (2026-06-25)
- Your Financial Future — Cintas Benefits (2025)
Educational content only, not tax, legal or investment advice. Plans and tax laws change; confirm details with your employer's plan documents or your state revenue department. Smart Financial Lifestyle is not affiliated with any employer named on this site.