The Fee Evolution

Over the past 35 years, the 401(k)/403(b) have replaced the traditional pension plans as the main source of retirement income for the populace. Unfortunately, due to the greed of Wall Street, Insurance Companies, Mutual Fund Purveyors and Investment Advisors; the paycheck by paycheck contributions made by the workers have been “Eaten Up” by excessive fees.

For example, you have your 401(k) with an insurance company and quietly, every day that vendor is nipping at your account for close to 2.5% annually in fees. Thus, your S&P 500 Index fund returns 4% instead of 6.5% and that goes on year after year. The participant has no clue and the plan sponsor is not paying attention. New ERISA fee disclosure rules enacted in 2012 (408(b)2/404(a)5) were supposed to have solve this problem. Alas, the providers have made sure that figuring out your plan’s cost is about as easy as learning a new foreign language (My apologies to Roseatta Stone!).

After my presentation, you will know what they are, how they are hidden,and how to remedy the situation.