The silent balance killer
401(k) Fee Calculator
A 1% annual fee sounds tiny, but over decades it can quietly consume a huge slice of your nest egg. Compare a low-cost fund against a high-fee one and see exactly what the difference costs you.
Cost of fees over time
Lost to higher fees
$210,956
That's 0%
- Balance with low fee$1,288,116
- Balance with high fee$1,077,159
- Difference after 30 years$210,956
Why so large? Fees compound against you every year - you lose not just the fee, but all the growth that money would have earned.
Figures current for 2026 · last reviewed June 2026 · sourced from the IRS (IRS Notice 2025-67). How we calculate & cite our data. Educational only — not financial advice.
Assumptions & notes
How is the fee drag modeled?
Each year we grow the balance at your assumed return minus the annual expense ratio, then add your contribution. The gap between the low-fee and high-fee paths is the compounded cost of fees - it widens every year.
What's a 'good' expense ratio?
Broad index funds often charge 0.03%-0.20%. Actively managed funds and some 401(k) plans charge 0.5%-1%+ once fund fees and plan administration are included. Even half a percent matters over decades.
How do I lower my fees?
Favor low-cost index funds in your plan's lineup, and when you change jobs, rolling an old 401(k) into a low-cost IRA can cut fees substantially. Compare with our rollover tool.
These are assumptions, not guarantees. Investment returns and inflation are estimates you control - markets vary and past performance does not predict future results. Tax figures use current-year IRS numbers; your situation may differ. This tool is educational and not financial advice.