Understanding Your Retirement Plan Fees
More and more employees are investing in their futures through 401(k) plans. Employees who participate in 401(k) plans assume responsibility for their retirement income by contributing part of their salary and, in many instances, by directing their own investments.
If you are among those who direct your investments, you will need to consider the investment objectives, the risk and return characteristics, and the performance over time of each investment option offered by your plan in order to make sound investment decisions. Fees and expenses are one of the factors that will affect your investment returns and will impact your retirement income.
A new rule requires the plan's administrator (often your employer) to provide plan, investment, and fee information to you. As a result of these new rules, you can determine the reasonableness of the costs you're being charged to save for retirement and compare the costs associated with different investments.
Webcasts
Retirement Savings: Saving More for Tomorrow by Paying Less in 401 (k) Fees Today
Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
Publications
- A Look at 401(k) Plan Fees
- Maximize Your Retirement Savings - Tips on Using the Fee and Investment Information from Your Retirement Plan
- Target Date Retirement Funds Investor Bulletin
- What You Should Know About Your Retirement Plan | en español
- Before It's Too Late Newsletter
Retirement Plan Fee Disclosures Rule
Read more about EBSA's new rule that requires plan administrators to provide retirement plan fee disclosures to employees.
Related Resources
- Consumer Finance Protection Bureau Blog on 401(k) Plan Fees
- AARP Study on 401(k) Participants Awareness and Understanding of Fees
- Representative George Miller in the Huffington Post
Contact us
If you have questions about your 401(k) plan account and the new fee disclosures, contact a benefits advisor at www.askebsa.dol.gov or 1-866-444-3272.
For questions about complying with the new fee disclosure rule, contact EBSA's Office of Regulations and Interpretations at 202-693-8500.
