Account Information
Enter your 401(k) account details
Current Account
Your current account balance
Used for employer match calculations
Contributions
2024 limit: $23,000 ($30,500 if 50+)
The percentage your employer matches (e.g., 50% means they add $0.50 for every $1 you contribute).
The maximum percentage of your salary that your employer will match.
Time Horizon
Portfolio at Retirement
$1,339,626
At 0.75% fees
Total Fees Paid
$110,655
Over your investment lifetime
Potential Savings
$215,022
By switching to low-cost funds
Monthly Retirement Income
$4,465
At 4% withdrawal rate
Portfolio Growth by Fee Level
See how different expense ratios affect your portfolio over time
Portfolio at Retirement
Final portfolio value by expense ratio
Monthly Retirement Income
How fees affect your retirement income
Cumulative Fees Over Time
How much you pay in fees vs. a low-cost alternative
Detailed Fee Comparison
Compare different expense ratios
| Expense Ratio | Portfolio at Retirement | Total Fees Paid | Monthly Income | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.03%Best | $1,554,648 | $4,894 | $5,182 | Best |
| 0.2% | $1,500,637 | $31,857 | $5,002 | -$54,011 |
| 0.5% | $1,410,307 | $76,370 | $4,701 | -$144,341 |
| 0.75%Current | $1,339,626 | $110,655 | $4,465 | -$215,022 |
| 1% | $1,272,868 | $142,561 | $4,243 | -$281,781 |
High Fee Alert
-$215,022
You could be losing this much compared to low-cost alternatives.
At Retirement
Your Portfolio (0.75%)
$1,339,626
Low-Cost (0.03%)
$1,554,648
Monthly Retirement Income
You're missing out on
$717/month
What Your Fees Could Buy
Recommendations
- •Your current expense ratio is higher than average. Consider switching to low-cost index funds.
- •Index funds with expense ratios under 0.10% can save you significantly over time.
- •You could save over $215K by switching to lower-cost funds.
- •With 20+ years to retirement, even small fee differences compound significantly.
Low-Cost Alternatives
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index
Vanguard 500 Index
Vanguard Total International Stock
Vanguard Total Bond Market
Quick Answer: What is an Expense Ratio?
Investment expense ratios dramatically impact long-term wealth. A 1% fee on $100,000 growing at 7% for 30 years reduces your portfolio by about $120,000 compared to a 0.1% fee. Good expense ratios are below 0.20%. Many index funds charge 0.03-0.10%, while actively managed funds average 0.66%. Fidelity offers ZERO funds with 0% expense ratios.
Key Facts
- A 1% fee vs 0.1% fee can cost $120,000+ over 30 years on $100k
- Good expense ratios are below 0.20%
- Index funds typically charge 0.03% to 0.10%
- Actively managed funds average 0.66% expense ratio
- Fidelity ZERO funds (FZROX, FZILX) have 0% expense ratios
- Expense ratio is the annual percentage fee deducted from your investment
- Studies show most actively managed funds underperform index funds
What if you had lower expense ratios?
See how expense ratios compound over your investment lifetime
Personalized Insights
3 insights based on your inputs
Major Fee Drag
Switching to low-cost funds could save you $215,022 over your investment horizon.
$717/mo More
Low-cost funds could provide this much more monthly retirement income.
Six-Figure Fee Cost
You'll pay $110,655 in fees over your investment lifetime.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an expense ratio?
An expense ratio is the annual fee that mutual funds and ETFs charge to cover their operating expenses. It's expressed as a percentage of your investment. For example, a 1% expense ratio means you pay $100 per year for every $10,000 invested.
What is a good expense ratio for a 401(k)?
A good expense ratio is typically below 0.20%. Many excellent index funds charge 0.03% to 0.10%. The industry average for all funds is about 0.44%, while actively managed funds average 0.66%. Anything above 1% is considered high.
How do fees affect my retirement savings?
Fees compound over time and can significantly reduce your retirement savings. A 1% fee might seem small, but over 30 years, it can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. For example, $500,000 growing at 7% for 30 years with a 0.10% fee grows to about $3.6 million, but with a 1.0% fee, it only grows to about $2.8 million - a difference of $800,000.
Why are index funds cheaper than actively managed funds?
Index funds simply track a market index (like the S&P 500) rather than paying analysts and portfolio managers to pick stocks. This passive approach requires fewer resources and allows index funds to charge much lower fees. Studies show that most actively managed funds underperform index funds over the long term.
Are there any funds with 0% expense ratio?
Yes! Fidelity offers several "ZERO" index funds with 0% expense ratios, including FZROX (Total Market) and FZILX (International). These are available to Fidelity account holders and are among the lowest-cost funds available.
How do I find the expense ratio of my 401(k) funds?
Look in your 401(k) plan document, fund prospectus, or fee disclosure statement. You can also search for your fund on Morningstar or the fund company's website. The expense ratio is usually listed as a percentage under "Fees" or "Expenses."
Should I roll over my 401(k) to an IRA for lower fees?
It depends. If your 401(k) has high-fee funds and no low-cost options, rolling over to an IRA at Vanguard, Fidelity, or Schwab gives you access to cheaper index funds. However, consider if your 401(k) has unique benefits like employer matching, legal protections, or access to institutional funds with lower fees.
What about other fees besides expense ratios?
Besides expense ratios, watch for: trading commissions (rare now), 401(k) administrative fees (often $50-100/year), front-end or back-end loads on mutual funds, and advisory fees if using a financial advisor (typically 0.25% to 1% of assets). Our calculator focuses on expense ratios, which are usually the largest ongoing cost.
Do employer-provided 401(k) plans have higher fees?
Not necessarily, but it varies widely. Large employers often negotiate low fees, while small business 401(k) plans may have higher fees due to less bargaining power. Always check your specific plan's fee disclosure document. The Department of Labor requires fee disclosure at least annually.
How much of a difference does 0.5% really make?
More than you might think! On a $100,000 portfolio growing at 7% annually for 30 years: with 0.10% fees, you'd have about $745,000; with 0.60% fees, you'd have about $625,000. That's a $120,000 difference from just 0.5% in fees.
How this works
Calculations are run entirely in your browser. No inputs are sent to our servers and no account is required. Formulas follow standard US definitions from the IRS and the CFPB where applicable; international users should confirm local tax and regulatory rules apply.
What this tool can’t do
When to consult a professional
This is a software engineering tool, not financial advice. Run the math here, then take the result to a certified financial planner, CPA, or your bank before making a decision that materially affects your money.
Sources
- [1]Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)Official sourceconsumerfinance.govAccessed Apr 21, 2026
US consumer finance regulator; authoritative on mortgage disclosures, APR rules, credit cards.
Full-stack software engineer specializing in embedded systems, web architecture, and AI/ML. Founder of Practical Web Tools. Built the gesture-controlled drone IP acquired by KD Interactive (Aura Drone, sold on Amazon).