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A Look at 401(k) Plan Fees: Checklist

There is an array of investment options and services offered under today's 401(k) plans. Answers to the following 10 questions will help in gathering information about the fees and expenses paid by your plan. If you cannot find answers, ask your plan administrator.

  1. What investment options are offered under your company's 401(k) plan?
  2. Do you have all available documentation about the investment choices under your plan and the fees charged to your plan?
  3. What types of investment education are available under your plan?
  4. What arrangement is used to provide services under your plan? For example, are any or all of the services or investment options provided by a single provider?
  5. Do you and other participants use most or all of the optional services offered under your 401(k) plan, such as a participant loan program and insurance coverage?
  6. If administrative services are paid separately from investment management fees, are they paid for by the plan, your employer, or are they shared?
  7. Are the investment options tracking an established market index, or is there a higher level of investment management services being provided?
  8. Do any of the investment options under your plan include sales charges, such as loads or commissions?
  9. Do any of the investment options under your plan include any fees related to specific investments, such as 12b-1 fees, insurance charges, or surrender fees, and what do they cover?
  10. Does your plan offer any special funds or special classes of stock, generally sold to larger group investors?

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

  • Types of Investments

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

  • Saving and Investing: Risk Tolerance

  • Understanding SSA Benefits (Part 5)

  • Jump-Start Your Savings

Other Topics

    • Choose to Save
    • Financial Planning Association
    • Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER)
    • Securities and Exchange Commission's Investors Resources
    • Bankrate
    • Financial Calculators
    • A Look at 401(k) Plan Fees: Where Can I Get My Plan's Information?
    • It's Never Too Early-Or Too Late-To Save
    • Financial Planning for Your Retirement
    • Top 10 Ways to Prepare for Retirement
    • Saving and Investing: Making a Financial Plan