401(k) Fee Drag Calculator
See how two fee levels change a projected balance under the same gross return assumption.
Not financial, tax, or lending advice. Confirm terms with your provider.
Balance @ low fee
$1,060,424
Balance @ high fee
$888,216
Fee drag difference
$172,207
Constant return net of stated fee; contributions at year-end. Markets vary. Not investment advice.
Fees compound quietly
Expense ratios and plan admin fees subtract continuously. Tiny gaps grow across decades.
Use your plan fee disclosure — not marketing averages — when possible.
Match still matters
Skipping an employer match to chase a slightly cheaper external account can destroy more value than fees save.
This tool isolates fee drag; it does not score match formulas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is return guaranteed?
No. Gross return is an assumption you set.
Where do I find my expense ratio?
Plan fee disclosures and fund prospectuses.