Gunfighter

DPSP is the same efficiency as pay rates, so yes, not that efficient. We could move the DC north of 20% to get the IRS max before the 280K. That would help the new hires hit the limit earlier in their career and get the TVM from DC while avoiding the IRS. It would be difficult to get all the way to 56K for a new hire making under 100K, by year three a NB FO in the $150k range could get to 56K with 25% DC plus a self funded 401K contribution of 19K. That is probably as close to full funding of the 56k as you can get.

Realize that by putting so much of the gains into DC, you won't see much of a pay raise until you hit the DPSP Cash threshold. If you don't hit the threshold, most of the contract gains are in a retirement account, not money you can invest outside of the Fidelithy plan. Some would prefer investing outside of the plan at the expense of hitting the 415c Limits, others would prefer the extra spendable cash to buy toys.