The average expense ratio paid by 401(k) plan participants dropped in 2017, according to a new report from the Investment Company Institute (ICI).
The report, entitled “The Economics of Providing 401(k) Plans: Services, Fees, and Expenses, 2017,” said 401(k) plan participants incurred an average expense ratio of 0.45 percent for equity funds last year, down from 0.48 percent in 2016 and 0.77 percent in 2000.
Also, the average expense ratio for hybrid mutual funds fell to 0.51 percent in 2017, from 0.53 percent in 2016 and 0.72 percent in 2000. Further, for bond mutual funds it dropped to 0.33 percent in 2017, from 0.35 percent in 2016 and 0.61 percent in 2000.
Overall, mutual funds represented 67 percent of the $5.3 trillion in 401(k) plan assets at year-end 2017.
“The continuing decline in mutual fund fees in 401(k) plans demonstrates a vibrant, competitive marketplace driven by plan sponsor and investor awareness and demand for lower-cost funds,” Sarah Holden, ICI’s senior director of retirement and investor research, said. “Since mutual funds represent two-thirds of assets held in 401(k) plans, this downward trajectory greatly benefits retirement savers as 401(k) plans have grown in popularity as an attractive benefit for employers to offer their workers.”
The report points out that 401(k) plan investors hold lower cost funds than the typical mutual fund investor. It notes that the average expense ratio for equity funds paid by 401(k) plan participants (0.45 percent) is lower than the industrywide simple average of 1.25 percent for all equity mutual funds offered in the United States in 2017.