20. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company sponsors a tax-qualified defined contribution savings and investment plan, CCC 401(k) Retirement Savings and Investment Plan (the “Savings Plan”). Participation in the Savings Plan is voluntary with substantially all domestic employees eligible to participate. Expenses related to the Savings Plan consist primarily of the Company’s contributions that are based on percentages of employees’ contributions.

In connection with the Company’s acquisition of EvolutionIQ, the Company became the sponsor of EvolutionIQ’s separate 401(k) plan covering former EvolutionIQ employees. The employees of EvolutionIQ remained in their legacy plan through December 31, 2025. Effective January 1, 2026, this plan will be merged into the Savings Plan.

The defined contribution expense for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 was $10.5 million, $7.0 million and $6.5 million, respectively. The defined contribution expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 includes contributions for the CCC 401(k) Retirement Savings and Investment Plan as well as the contributions for the legacy EvolutionIQ 401(k) plan.