401(k) Fee Impact Calculator
This free calculator estimates how the annual fees on your 401(k) shrink your balance by retirement compared with a low-cost plan. Enter your balance, contributions, and fee to see the compounded difference — and whether high fees may be worth a free legal review.
Is your 401(k) quietly costing you money?
Most people have no idea what their workplace retirement plan charges them — or how much it quietly adds up to over the years. These free tools spell it out in plain English. No jargon, no cost, and nothing you need to look up.
401(k) Fee Impact Calculator
Every 401(k) charges fees — but they're buried where you'll never notice them, and even a 1% fee quietly drains your savings for decades. In about 30 seconds, see roughly how much yours could cost you by the time you retire. You don't need to know anything about your plan — we've filled in typical numbers you can change if you want.
That gap is money that could have stayed in your account and grown for your retirement — instead it's going to fees. If your plan charges far more than a low-cost one, it can be worth finding out why. A review is free and confidential.
Worried by what you see? Talk to an attorney — free.
You don't have to understand any of this. If these numbers look off, a free, confidential review will tell you in plain English whether your employer's plan may owe you money. You pay nothing unless money is recovered, and your employer is never contacted without your okay.
A quick note. These tools give rough, illustrative estimates based only on what you enter and on simple assumptions (steady yearly growth, no taxes). They are not financial or legal advice, not a prediction of any outcome, and they don't prove that anyone did anything wrong or that any money can be recovered. Any actual recovery is decided by a court and depends on facts these tools can't capture. Using this tool doesn't make us your lawyers, and prior results don't guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney Advertising.
How to read your result
- The gap between the two lines is the dollar amount fees may have cost you by retirement.
- Even a 0.5%–1% fee difference can compound into six figures over a career.
- An above-typical fee for your plan size is one of the most common signals of a fee case.
- If the gap looks large, that's a reasonable trigger for a free review — not proof of a violation.
Common reasons plans get reviewed
If your result looks concerning, these are the practice areas that most often line up with what this tool measures.
Frequently asked questions
Does this tool cost anything?
No. It's free, anonymous, and there's no obligation. You don't have to share your contact info to use it.
Is this a guarantee of how much I can recover?
No. It's an illustrative estimate, not legal advice or a prediction of any individual outcome. Actual results in ERISA cases depend on the facts of the plan and the court.
What should I do if my result looks concerning?
Request a free, confidential case review. An ERISA attorney will tell you honestly whether your situation looks like a case.
How are the figures calculated?
Using transparent, illustrative formulas — compounding projections, published fee benchmarks, or weighted self-assessment scoring. The component shows its assumptions inline.
What counts as a 'high' 401(k) fee?
For mid- and large-plans, all-in costs above roughly 0.75%–1.00% are increasingly difficult to justify. Plans with billions in assets often pay well under 0.30%.
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All calculators →Was your 401K plan named in a lawsuit?
A licensed ERISA attorney from ERLG will respond within one business day. Confidential. No cost to consult.
- Speak directly with an ERISA attorney.
- Contingency representation — no fee unless we recover.
- Confidential. Your employer is never contacted without your consent.
A few quick questions — no legal or financial know-how needed. We'll give you an honest read on whether your situation is worth a closer look.
What kind of retirement plan do you have through work?
Don't worry if you're not sure — just pick the closest one.