ASPPA Counters Analysis of Retirement Plan Fees

The research group Demos claimed in a report that a two-earner household, in which each partner earns the median income for their gender each year over their working lifetime, will pay an average of $154,794 in 401(k) fees and lost returns. A higher-income dual-earner household, in which each partner earns an income greater than three-quarters of Americans each year, can expect to pay an even steeper price: as much as $277,969. (See “Retirement Plan Fees Consume 30% of Returns.”)

Brian H. Graff, chief executive and executive director of the ASPPA, contends that Demos inflated those figures. He said the organization estimated fees for mutual funds in 401(k)s at 200 basis points (2%) of plan assets, a level he called ridiculous.

Graff also challenged Demos’ claim that the new disclosure requirements from the Department of Labor (DOL) are not enough to ameliorate high fees. He said that retirement service providers will have to lower their fees because of increased competition once fee information goes public with the new law.