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A Look at 401(k) Plan Fees: Other Factors

  • Funds that are actively managed, such as funds with an investment adviser who continually researches, monitors, and actively trades the holdings of the fund to seek a higher return than the market, generally have higher fees. The higher fees are associated with the more active management provided and sales charges from the higher level of trading activity. While actively managed funds seek to provide higher returns than the market, neither active management nor higher fees necessarily guarantee higher returns.
  • Funds that are passively managed generally have lower management fees. Passively managed funds seek to obtain the investment results of an established market index, such as the Standard and Poor's 500, by duplicating the holdings included in the index. Thus, passively managed funds require little research or trading activity.
  • If the services and investment options under your plan are offered through a bundled program, then some or all of the costs of plan services may not be separately charged to the plan or to your employer. For example, these costs possibly may be subsidized by the asset-based fees charged on investments. Compare the services received in light of the total fees paid.
  • Plans with more total assets may be able to lower fees by using special funds or classes of stock in funds, which generally are sold to larger group investors. Retail or brand name funds, which are also marketed to individual and small group investors, tend to be listed in the newspaper daily and typically charge higher fees. Let your employer know your preference.
  • Optional features, such as participant loan programs and insurance benefits offered under variable annuity contracts, involve additional costs. Consider whether they have value to you. If not, let your employer know.
  • Retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, are group plans. Therefore, your employer may not be able to accommodate each employee's preferences for investment options or additional services.

U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). A look at 401(k) plan fees. Retrieved October 19, 2016, from http://www.usa.gov/

More about this Topics

  • Saving and Investing: Risk Tolerance

  • Understanding SSA Benefits (Part 5)

  • Understanding SSA Benefits (Part 1)

  • Determining a Target Retirement Saving Rate

  • Retirement Lifestyle Planning

Other Topics

    • Financial Calculators
    • A Look at 401(k) Plan Fees: Common Investments and Related Fees—Part 1
    • A Look at 401(k) Plan Fees: Why Consider Fees?
    • Understanding SSA Benefits (Part 6)
    • Saving for Retirement
    • Social Security (Part 3): What You Need to Know About Benefits
    • Bankrate
    • Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER)
    • Securities and Exchange Commission's Investors Resources
    • Financial Planning Association
    • Financial Resources for Older Americans