Why Your 401(k) Isn't Growing Like You Think (Ep. 262)

About this episode

This episode discusses the hidden fees in 401(k) plans that can significantly impact retirement savings and emphasizes the importance of financial education and access.

The hidden 401(k) fees quietly eroding your retirement by hundreds of thousands. 👉 Follow Without the Bank here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXYvzroUouEMsTGKFw5nJHQ 👉 Get the book: https://www.withoutthebank.com/book Most people trust their 401(k) to carry them through retirement—but few understand what it's actually costing them. In this episode, we kick off a new series breaking down the biggest 401(k) half-truths, starting with one of the most overlooked factors: management fees. You'll learn how these fees are structured, why they're often hidden, and how they impact long-term compounding. More importantly, we challenge the assumption that account value equals retirement security—and highlight why access, control, and financial education matter just as much as growth. If you're relying on a 401(k) for your future, this is a critical starting point for understanding the full picture. 📔 Key Takeaways 🔸The origin of the 401(k) and why risk shifted to employees 🔸The three types of management fees inside most plans 🔸How a 2% fee can reduce a portfolio by over $1 million 🔸Why average returns don't reflect real market performance 🔸The difference between saving habits…

People in this episode

Host: Mary Jo Irmen

Topics covered

• 401(k) fees
• retirement planning
• financial education
• investment management
• wealth building

Keywords

• 401(k)
• management fees
• retirement security
• financial opportunity
• wealth building

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Without the Bank

Products: 401(k), book

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