Survey : up to 30 % of people with four ( k ) s do n't know they paid fees for retirement accounts . Robert Hiltonsmith : Fees can , on average , reduce your 401 ( k ) balance by 70 % . He says far too many Americans are paying unnecessary high fees , even when market is up . Hiltonsmith : The mutual fund system we have ca n't be fixed and must be replaced .
Survey : 70 % of people with 401 ( k ) s do n't know they paid fees for retirement accounts . Robert Hiltonsmith : Fees can , on average , reduce your 401 ( k ) balance by up to 30 % . He says far too many Americans are paying unnecessary high fees , even when market is up . Hiltonsmith : The mutual fund system we have ca n't be fixed and must be replaced .