Investment Fee Calculator
See exactly how fees erode long-term wealth - and how much you keep by switching to lower-cost options.
Investment returns are not guaranteed. The assumed annual return is illustrative only. Actual market returns vary and can be negative. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This tool is for educational purposes and is not financial advice.
Enter 0 for lump-sum only
This is a projection, not a guarantee
Bank of Canada target: 2%
Scenario 1: High Fees
Typical traditional mutual fund + advisor
Fund management expense ratio
Annual advisor / wrap fee
Brokerage or robo-advisor platform fee
Flat annual trading cost in dollars
Total AUM fee: 3.00%
Portfolio value: $275,013
Total fees paid: $92,088
Scenario 2: Low Fees
Typical index ETF or robo-advisor
Fund management expense ratio
Annual advisor / wrap fee
Brokerage or robo-advisor platform fee
Flat annual trading cost in dollars
Total AUM fee: 0.20%
Portfolio value: $433,065
Total fees paid: $8,342
| Scenario | Total Fees Paid | Before-Fee Value* | After-Fee Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scenario 1 (3.00% AUM) | $92,088 | $448,009 | $275,013 |
| Scenario 2 (0.20% AUM) | $8,342 | $448,009 | $433,065 |
| No Fees (Benchmark) | $0 | $448,009 | $448,009 |
* Before-fee value = zero-fee benchmark (same contributions, same return, no fees deducted).
The real cost of high fees
Switching from Scenario 1 to Scenario 2 saves $83,746 in direct fees and leaves you with $158,053 more after 25 years - because fees compound against you just as returns compound for you.
- Scenario 1
- Scenario 2
- No Fees
Contributions vs growth: You contributed $160,000 over 25 years. With Scenario 2 fees, this grew to $433,065.
Fee drag: High fees reduce your portfolio by 38.6% vs a no-fee benchmark after 25 years.
Returns not guaranteed: These projections assume a constant 7% annual return. Real markets fluctuate, and a sequence of poor early returns can significantly reduce your actual outcome.