Ep109: Your 401(k) Isn't Free: How to Find and Cut Hidden Fees (Form 5500 Guide for Doctors)

Ep109: Your 401(k) Isn't Free: How to Find and Cut Hidden Fees (Form 5500 Guide for Doctors)

From Finding Financial Freedom with The Frugal Physician - Finance, Wellness, Budget, Student Loans, Wealth, Doctor, Fitness, Money by Dr. Disha Spath, MD, FACP

September 5, 2025 · 41 min · Season 1 · Episode 109

About this episode

Dr. Disha Spath discusses hidden fees in 401(k) plans with forensic consultant Paul Sippel, highlighting their impact on retirement savings and strategies to mitigate them.

Most of us assume our 401k plans are free because we never see a bill. But hidden fees—record keeping, custodial, administration, and advisory costs—can silently erode your retirement savings over time. In this episode, Dr. Disha Spath sits down with forensic 401k consultant Paul Sippel to uncover how these costs work, why they're so hard to detect, and practical steps you can take to protect your wealth. If you're a physician, business owner, or employee relying on your 401k for retirement, this conversation is a must-listen! Key Topics Covered: 1. The Hidden Price of 401K Why most employees (and even physicians) don't realize how much retirement fees are costing them 2. Decoding the Fee Structure Custodial, record keeping, administration and advisory charges explained by Paul 3. So Who Really Pays the Bill? How physicians often carry a bigger share of plan costs than their staff. 4. Defining a "reasonable" costs Benchmarks to know if your plan fees are fair or quietly draining your bank account. 5. Beware of the Transparency Trap Why statements rarely show the true expense and how the industry profits from the confusion 6. Proven Strategies to Lower the Fees From negotiating…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Disha Spath

Guest: Paul Sippel

Topics covered

  • 401(k) fees
  • retirement savings
  • financial planning
  • hidden costs
  • wealth protection
  • fee structure

Keywords

  • 401(k)
  • hidden fees
  • retirement
  • financial advice
  • physician finances
  • wealth management
  • fee transparency

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