A workplace retirement plan can feel “free” because the money comes out before you ever see it hit your checking account. Then one day, you notice a small charge on a statement and wonder if it’s a mistake or a new rule. Many plans have always had costs, but the frustrating part is how easy it is to miss them when they’re bundled, labeled vaguely, or taken out automatically. If your plan now shows annual fees, it doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong, but it does mean you should understand exactly what you’re paying for and what you can change.
