The Hidden Fee in Mutual Funds That Eats Away at Your Returns
Written by
Jordan Rosenfeld
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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You invest in a mutual fund expecting 8% annual returns but only see 7%. The culprit? A hidden cost called the expense ratio.
Yes, it costs money to make money. Most mutual funds come with annual management and operating fees that chip away at your returns, silently reducing how much you actually earn.
Understanding and comparing expense ratios can help investors keep more of their money working for them.
What the Expense Ratio Actually Is
Every mutual fund has to charge a fee for costs associated with that investment, such as annual administrative, management and marketing costs, which typically shows up as a percentage of your assets under their management.
The typical range is around 0.05%-2.00%, but even a small difference adds up over time. While investors don’t have to come up with this fee out of pocket as it’s deducted automatically from returns, they do dig into your profits.
How Fees Eat Away at Your Growth
Even a small difference in fees can chip away at your investment growth over time. For example, if you invested $10,000 for 20 years earning 7% annually, a fund with a 0.10% expense ratio would grow to about $38,500, while one with a 1.00% ratio would reach only $32,500 — a $6,000 loss to fees alone.
Because these costs come out every year, they don’t just reduce returns today — they shrink the amount that compounds tomorrow, meaning you earn less on every future dollar your money could have made.
What’s a ‘Good’ Expense Ratio — and When To Worry
A “good” expense ratio depends on the type of fund you invest in. Index and passive funds typically charge very little — usually between 0.03% and 0.30% — since they just track a market index. Actively managed funds, however, often charge 0.50% to 1.00% or more to cover research and management costs.
The problem? Most active funds don’t outperform after fees. You should start to worry when your fund’s expense ratio is above 1% and its returns don’t consistently beat its benchmark. In that case, your money might grow faster in a low-fee index or ETF alternative.
How To Keep Fees From Eating Your Returns
To avoid paying more in fees than makes sense for you, always compare expense ratios before investing. You can use sites like Morningstar, Fidelity or your broker’s fund screener.
Additionally, reevaluate your existing funds and consider the pros and cons of switching to lower-cost options or ETFs if they fit your goals.
A difference of half a percent in fees can mean thousands in lost returns over time.
Every Dollar Counts
Even small percentages can quietly chip away at your wealth. Knowing how much you’re paying in mutual fund fees is one of the simplest, smartest moves you can make to grow your money faster, without investing a single extra dollar.
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