A Look at 401(k) Plan Fees: What Fees Are Associated with Investment Choices?
Apart from fees charged for administration of the 401(k) plan itself, there are three basic types of fees that may be charged in connection with investment options in a 401(k) plan. Following are brief descriptions of some of the more common investments offered under 401(k) plans and explanations of some of the different terminology or unique fees associated with them. These fees, which can be referred to by different terms, include
- Sales charges (also known as loads or commissions)—These are transaction costs for buying and selling of shares. They may be computed in different ways, depending upon the particular investment product.
- Management fees (also known as investment advisory fees or account maintenance fees)—These are ongoing charges for managing the assets of the investment fund. They are generally stated as a percentage of the amount of assets invested in the fund. Sometimes management fees may be used to cover administrative expenses. You should know that the level of management fees can vary widely, depending on the investment manager and the nature of the investment product. Investment products that require significant management, research, and monitoring services generally will have higher fees.
- Other fees—This category covers services, such as record keeping, furnishing statements, toll-free telephone numbers, and investment advice, involved in the day-to-day management of investment products. They may be stated either as a flat fee or as a percentage of the amount of assets invested in the fund.
In addition, there are some fees that are unique to specific types of investments.
U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). A look at 401(k) plan fees. Retrieved October 19, 2016, from http://www.usa.gov/