401(k) Fee Analyzer
Excessive or undisclosed fees could be costing you hundreds of thousands in retirement savings. Find out how much you're really paying.
Enter Your 401(k) Details
Find this on your fund prospectus or statement
Recordkeeping and admin fees (often 0.10% - 0.50%)
Fee Benchmarks
Compare your fees to industry standards:
What Our Full 401(k) Review Includes
Don't Let excessive or undisclosed fees Erode Your Retirement
Even a small fee differential compounds over a multi-decade career and can be material on larger balances (a hypothetical compounding illustration, not a forecast). Get a professional review of your 401(k).
Schedule 401(k) ReviewWhy Fees Matter More Than You Think
Most people have no idea what they're paying in 401(k) fees. The impact compounds over decades.
Estimated Career Cost (Illustrative)
A frequently cited Department of Labor / Center for American Progress illustrative example estimates that a worker earning ~$30,000 starting at age 25 with a 7% gross return assumption could pay roughly $590,000 in total 401(k) fees over a career under a high-fee plan. This is a hypothetical, assumption-driven figure (career length, return, salary, fee differential) and not a SWE90 calculation or expected result. See DOL EBSA publications for current data; actual lifetime fees depend on plan, balance, returns, and tenure.
Unaware of Fees
Many Americans report uncertainty about exactly how much they pay in 401(k) fees; plan participants may be unaware of fee layers (recordkeeping, fund expense ratios, and advisory wraps). Request your plan's Fee Disclosure (404(a)(5) notice) and Form 5500 to see what you are paying. (See current DOL guidance at dol.gov/agencies/ebsa for plan-fee disclosure requirements.)
Potential Retirement Impact (Illustrative)
In a published illustrative example, a 1% annual fee differential over a 35-year career on a portfolio with consistent contributions can reduce the ending balance by approximately 28% relative to a lower-cost alternative. This is a hypothetical compounding illustration (Source: DOL EBSA, "A Look at 401(k) Plan Fees") and not a forecast or SWE90 expected result; actual impact depends on returns, fees, contributions, and time horizon.
Our Professional 401(k) Audit
This calculator gives you a quick estimate. Our comprehensive 401(k) audit digs deeper:
- ✓Line-by-line expense ratio analysis for every fund
- ✓Identification of hidden 12b-1 fees and revenue sharing
- ✓Comparison to institutional-class alternatives
- ✓Asset allocation optimization recommendations
- ✓Rollover vs. stay analysis for old 401(k)s
Get your free audit
Request 401(k) AuditDefinition
What is a 401(k) fee analyzer?
A 401(k) fee analyzer is a diagnostic tool that examines the total cost structure of your retirement plan, revealing hidden fees like expense ratios, 12b-1 fees, revenue sharing, and administrative costs that reduce your investment returns over time.
Key Takeaways
- 1.Total 401(k) plan fees commonly fall in the 0.5%-1.5% range per industry surveys (e.g., BrightScope/ICI 401(k) Plan Fee Study); plan sponsors should review total cost annually.
- 2.Revenue-sharing payments can be embedded in fund expense ratios and not appear as a separate line item on participant statements; review the 408(b)(2) disclosure for details.
- 3.Illustrative compounding example: a 1% annual fee differential on a $500,000 balance compounded over 25 years at an assumed 7% gross return produces a difference of roughly $300,000 in ending balance. Hypothetical, not a forecast.
- 4.For ERISA plans, participants and plan sponsors are entitled to receive fee disclosures under DOL regulations §2550.408b-2 and §2550.404a-5.
401(k) Fee Types Explained
| Fee Type | Typical Range | Visibility | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03% - 1.50% | Listed in fund prospectus | Largest ongoing cost; compounding drag |
| 12b-1 Fee | 0.00% - 1.00% | Buried in prospectus | Marketing fee disguised as operating expense |
| Revenue Sharing | 0.10% - 0.50% | Rarely disclosed | Kickback from fund company to plan provider |
| Admin/Record-keeping | $25 - $100/yr | On quarterly statement | Fixed cost; less impactful on large balances |
Source: BrightScope 401(k) Fee Study, SEC Investor Bulletin, FINRA Foundation Research 2024.
By the Numbers
0.82%
Average total 401(k) plan fees (industry benchmark; varies by plan size and recordkeeper)
BrightScope/ICI 401(k) Plan Fee Study, latest available
$100K+
Illustrative hypothetical lifetime cost of a 1% fee differential on a large 401(k) balance over a full career (compounding assumption-based; not a forecast)
SEC Investor Bulletin (illustrative compounding example)
"Across the 401(k) plans we have reviewed in our practice, many participants we meet have no clear visibility into the 1%-1.5% in total fees commonly observed in industry surveys. Our fee analyzer aims to make typical plan costs easier to identify so plan sponsors and participants can ask informed questions."
Brett R. Henderson, CIMA, CPFA, CRPS
Fiduciary Financial Advisor, SWE90, Founder perspective on hidden retirement plan costs; not a study or substantiation claim
Sources & References
Data from the following authoritative sources is referenced on this page. According to these research organizations:
- Source: BrightScope (2024); Average total 401(k) plan fees of 0.82%
- Source: SEC Investor Bulletin (illustrative compounding example) (2024); Hypothetical compounding example: a 1% fee differential on a large 401(k) balance over a full career can total $100K+ in foregone growth under specified return assumptions. Not a forecast.
Important Disclosure
This calculator is provided for educational and illustrative purposes only. The projections or other information generated regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of future results. Results will vary based on market conditions, taxes, fees, inflation, and other factors not reflected in this calculator. This tool does not constitute personalized financial advice. Consult a qualified financial professional before making any financial decisions.
Brett R. Henderson is a registered representative of Vanderbilt Securities, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, and an investment adviser representative of Consolidated Portfolio Review Strategic Wealth Endeavor, Inc. and Vanderbilt Financial Group are separate and unaffiliated entities. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Not FDIC Insured • Not Bank Guaranteed • May Lose Value.