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Are Declining 401(k) Plan Fees Helpful or Harmful?

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Are Declining 401(k) Plan Fees Helpful or Harmful? The quality of advisors and record keepers keeps increasing while fees continue to decline. There are few, if any, other industries in which costs have declined as precipitously as in defined contribution. Computers, phones and TV prices have stayed steady, but not if you consider the incredible increase in power and capabilities. Moore’s Law is t...
The strongest version of this narrative highlights a necessary correction in an industry that was exploiting participants through hidden fees and conflicts of interest. The shift toward transparency, fiduciary responsibility, and lower costs has democratized access to retirement savings and forced providers to compete on value rather than obfuscation. The article rightly credits regulatory pressure, lawsuits, and specialist advisors (RPAs) for driving these changes, which have undeniably benefit...