Ep109: Your 401k Isn’t Free: How to Find and Cut Hidden Fees (Form 5500 Guide for Doctors) with Paul Sippel
- Dr. Disha
- Sep 4
- 2 min read
Most of us assume our 401k plans are free because we never see a bill. But hidden fees—record keeping, custodial, administration, and advisory costs—can silently erode your retirement savings over time.
In this episode, Dr. Disha Spath sits down with forensic 401k consultant Paul Sippel to uncover how these costs work, why they’re so hard to detect, and practical steps you can take to protect your wealth.
If you’re a physician, business owner, or employee relying on your 401k for retirement, this conversation is a must-listen!
Watch the Episode Here:
Listen to the Podcast Here:
Key Topics Covered:
1. The Hidden Price of 401K
Why most employees (and even physicians) don’t realize how much retirement fees are costing them
2. Decoding the Fee Structure
Custodial, record keeping, administration and advisory charges explained by Paul
3. So Who Really Pays the Bill?
How physicians often carry a bigger share of plan costs than their staff.
4. Defining a “reasonable” costs
Benchmarks to know if your plan fees are fair or quietly draining your bank account.
5. Beware of the Transparency Trap
Why statements rarely show the true expense and how the industry profits from the confusion
6. Proven Strategies to Lower the 401k Fees
From negotiating employer-level billing to exploring self-directed brokerage accounts.
Listener Takeaways:
If you’ve never seen a bill for your 401k, that doesn’t mean it’s free—the fees are just hidden.
Even “small” percentages in fees can compound into massive retirement losses over time.
Physicians are often subsidizing their staff’s 401k costs without realizing it.
Shifting fees to the employer level creates more fairness and bigger savings potential.
You have the tools to uncover and reduce your 401k fees—knowledge equals real money saved.
Resources Mentioned:
Department of Labor’s www.efast.dol.gov
Connect with Us:
Host: Dr. Disha Spath and Josh Spath, The Frugal Physician
This episode is brought to you by:
Earned Wealth: Earned's unique Doctor Wealth Playbook includes tax planning, investing, insurance, career advisory, and more. It’s a holistic approach from advisors who get the financial pressures of your profession. And for a limited time, Frugal Physician listeners can visit Earned.com/Frugal for exclusive access to this comprehensive planning at a discounted rate.
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