Article originally posted by SmartAsset.com

Written by Rebecca Lake

Smart savers know that contributing money to your employer’s 401(k) and taking advantage of the company match is a no-brainer when it comes to planning for retirement. What you may not know is exactly how your 401(k) works or that hidden fees could steadily be chipping away at your nest egg. According to a recent study from the Center for American Progress, workers could be losing up to $70,000 over the course of their career due to high 401(k) management fees. If you’re worried about fees putting your retirement in danger, here’s what you need to know.

Identifying the Culprits

Generally, the types of fees associated with a 401(k) or similar retirement savings account can be divided into one of three categories: plan administration fees, investment fees and individual service fees.

Administration fees typically cover a variety of expenses associated with the day-to-day operation of a 401(k) plan, such as costs for legal or trustee services, recordkeeping, investment advice and online services. Investment fees cover any and all expenses required to manage the different investment choices offered by the plan. Service fees are usually only charged when you take advantage of certain option features associated with your 401(k). For example, you may be assessed a service fee for taking out a loan from your account.

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