Factors That Impact 401(k) Fees For Comfort Systems USA Employees

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Comfort Systems USA: Comfort Systems USA employs a range of healthcare providers to support its workforce, often partnering with major insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to offer coverage that suits its employees' needs. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026: In 2026, healthcare costs are expected to surge dramatically, particularly for members utilizing Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. Preliminary reports indicate that average premium increases may reach as high as 75% for many enrollees, driven by escalating medical expenses and the potential expiration of federal premium subsidies. These developments could significantly affect Comfort Systems USA employees, placing a greater financial burden on those who rely on marketplace insurance plans, thereby necessitating proactive financial planning to manage health expenses effectively. Click here to learn more

More and more Comfort Systems USA employees are investing in their futures through 401(k) plans. Comfort Systems USA employees who participate in 401(k) plans assume responsibility for their retirement income by contributing part of their salary and, in many instances, by directing their own investments.

As a Comfort Systems USA employee, if you are among those who direct your investments, you will need to consider the investment objectives, the risk and return characteristics, and the performance over time of each investment option offered by your plan. Fees and expenses are one of the factors that will affect your investment returns and will impact your retirement income. This article will outline some of the major factors that may impact the severity of fees relating to your Comfort Systems USA 401(k) plan:

'Fees and expenses are one of the factors that will affect your investment returns and will impact your retirement income.'

Funds that are “actively managed” (i.e., funds with an investment adviser who continually researches, monitors, and actively trades the holdings of the fund to seek a higher return than the market) generally have higher fees. The higher fees are associated with the more active management provided and sales charges from the higher level of trading activity. As a Comfort Systems USA employee, you may want to consider how while actively managed funds seek to provide higher returns than the market, neither active management nor higher fees necessarily guarantee higher returns. 

Funds that are “passively managed” generally have lower management fees. Passively managed funds seek to obtain the investment results of an established market index, such as the Standard and Poor’s 500, by duplicating the holdings included in the index. Thus, passively managed funds require little research or trading activity. For Comfort Systems USA employees, it is worthy to account for the information when deciding who will manage your funds, and if their rates are adequate for the services provided.

If the services and investment options under your plan as a Comfort Systems USA employee are offered through a bundled program, then some or all of the costs of plan services may not be separately charged to the plan or to your employer. For example, these costs possibly may be subsidized by the asset-based fees charged on investments. Compare the services received in light of the total fees paid.

Featured Video

Articles you may find interesting:

Plans with more total assets may be able to lower fees by using special funds or classes of stock in funds, which generally are sold to larger group investors. “Retail” or “brand name” funds, which are also marketed to individual and small group investors, tend to be listed in the newspaper daily and typically charge higher fees. As a Comfort Systems USA employee, you should inform your employer of your preference.

Optional features, such as participant loan programs and insurance benefits offered under variable annuity contracts, involve additional costs. Consider whether they have value to you as a Comfort Systems USA employee. If not, let your employer know.

Retirement plans, such as 401(k) plans, are group plans. For those working in Comfort Systems USA, your employer may not be able to accommodate each employee’s preferences for investment options or additional services.