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Investigator Finance

Calculator

How much do fees really cost?

A small yearly fee is charged on your whole balance, every year, so it compounds. Enter two fee levels, such as a low-cost index fund and a managed account, to see the gap.

Educational only, not financial advice

This tool shows general math, not a recommendation for you. It isn’t financial, tax or legal advice, and real returns, fees and tax rules will differ. Talk to a qualified professional before making decisions. What you enter stays in your browser: nothing is saved or sent to us.

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An assumption, not a forecast.

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Ending balance, fee A (0.05%)

$556,814

Ending balance, fee B (1%)

$460,807

Difference

$96,008

After 30 years, the lower fee (A) ends about $96,008 higher. You put in $190,000 either way.

$0$250k$500k$750k$1.0M0102030Years
Fee A: 0.05%Fee B: 1%

Assumptions

  • The return and fee are steady yearly rates, applied monthly. Real returns vary year to year and can be negative.
  • Contributions go in at the end of each month. Taxes, trading costs and flat account fees are ignored.
  • The fee is taken as a share of the balance, like a fund expense ratio or an advisory fee.

Compare real fees

See fees side by side in our HSA directory, the Roth IRA and brokerage comparisons, and the HSA move calculator.